referenceLikeUrls

Reports resource links/images with URLs that match definition identifiers.

✅ This rule is included in the md logical preset.

When you have a definition like [mercury]: https://example.com/mercury/ in your Markdown document, using [text](mercury) as an inline link is likely a mistake. The URL mercury matches the definition identifier, suggesting you meant to use the reference syntax [text][mercury] instead. This rule helps catch these common errors where inline URLs accidentally match definition identifiers.

Examples

❌ Incorrect

[**Mercury**](mercury) is the first planet from the sun.

[mercury]: https://example.com/mercury/

![**Mercury** is a planet](mercury).

[mercury]: https://example.com/mercury.jpg

[FLint](flint) is a great tool.

[flint]: https://flint.fyi

✅ Correct

[**Mercury**][mercury] is the first planet from the sun.

[mercury]: https://example.com/mercury/

![Mercury][mercury]

[mercury]: https://example.com/mercury.jpg

[Flint](https://flint.fyi) is a great tool.

[Link without definition](some-page)

When Not To Use It

If you use a framework or separate workflow that allows definition identifiers as inline URLs, you can disable this rule.

Further Reading

• Markdown Reference-style Links

Equivalents in Other Linters

• ESLint: markdown/no-reference-like-url