Editing Cycle 13/Ruleset (section)

== Rules ==
A rule is an entity that governs the cycle, in whole or in part. Rules generally have the capacity to govern the whole cycle, except where provided otherwise. The ruleset is the set of all existing rules.

Each rule has a body (also known as its text), which takes the form of text. Except as otherwise prohibited, each rule is continuously taking effect (that is, applying the content of its body).

Each rule has a title, unique among rules. An attempt to enact a rule with the same title as an existing rule, or to alter a rule in such a way that it has the same title as an existing rule, or to otherwise cause there to be two or more rules with the same title fails.

Each rule is either persistent or ephemeral.

Rules cannot be enacted, created, destroyed, amended, retitled, altered, or otherwise modified except as provided for by the rules.

A rule cannot be enacted unless the enacting instrument specifies the title, body, and persistent/ephemeral status of the new rule, except that the persistent rules may provide defaults for one or more of these values.

In general, unclear specification of a rule change renders the entirety of the rule change null and void, but does not by default affect the remaining functionality of the instrument providing for the rule change.