> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sqlbuild.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# SQL Linting and Formatting

> Native SQL diagnostics, safe fixes, and canonical formatting.

SQLBuild owns SQL lint and formatting behavior. It uses the active adapter dialect and understands
SQLBuild model headers, so no Sqruff or SQLFluff installation is required.

| Command      | Purpose                                                | Changes files by default? |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------- |
| `sqb lint`   | Report correctness and selected convention diagnostics | No                        |
| `sqb fix`    | Apply only fixes SQLBuild can prove safe               | Yes                       |
| `sqb format` | Write SQLBuild's canonical presentation                | Yes                       |

Use `sqb fix --check` or `sqb format --check` in CI. Add `--diff` to preview changes without writing
them. All three commands accept normal `--select`, `--select-file`, and `--exclude` scopes.

## Rule policy

Core rules run by default. Optional rules are enabled in project configuration by exact code or
prefix:

```toml theme={null}
[lint]
select = ["SQBL", "SQBL024"]
```

Lint codes use the `SQBL` prefix. Formatting owns presentation choices such as capitalization,
indentation, spacing, commas, and canonical SQL spelling; these are not inflated into lint warnings.
Kata remains separate and evaluates repository architecture and naming policy over compiled models.

## Suppressions

Suppress a local diagnostic only with a reason:

```sql theme={null}
-- sqb: ignore SQBL004 because this fixture intentionally samples one row
SELECT value FROM items LIMIT 1
```

Unused or malformed suppressions produce `SQBL000`. Mandatory compiler and model-header faults
cannot be suppressed. Prefer fixing the SQL or narrowing optional policy before adding a suppression.

## Safe fixes

`sqb fix` changes only findings with a deterministic equivalent rewrite. Diagnostics that require
schema knowledge or author intent remain reported and are never guessed. Review the diff before
committing, especially when enabling additional optional rules.

See [`sqb lint`](/cli/lint), [`sqb fix`](/cli/fix), and [`sqb format`](/cli/format).