---
title: MD002 - First Heading Should Be Top Level
description: Ensures the first heading in a document is a top-level heading (h1)
---
# MD002 - First Heading Should Be Top Level
**Rule Type**: `warning`
**Default Level**: `1` (h1)
## Description
This rule ensures that the first heading in a document is a top-level heading (h1). Using a top-level heading
as the first heading helps establish the document's main topic and maintains proper document structure.
## Configuration
This rule has the following configuration options:
- `level`: The level that the first heading should be (default: 1)
Example configuration:
```json
{
"MD002": {
"level": 1
}
}
```
## Examples
### Valid
```markdown
# Document Title
## Section 1
### Subsection 1.1
## Section 2
```
### Invalid
```markdown
## Document Title
### Section 1
# Main Heading
```
### Fixed
```markdown
# Document Title
## Section 1
### Subsection 1.1
```
### Special Cases
```markdown
### Third Level Heading
Heading
-------
```
```markdown
## Second Level Heading
Heading
=======
```
## Rationale
Starting a document with a top-level heading:
1. Establishes the main topic of the document
2. Creates a proper document outline
3. Improves accessibility for screen readers
4. Maintains consistent document structure
## Related Rules
- [MD001 - Heading Levels](md001.md): Ensures heading levels increment by one level at a time
- [MD003 - Heading Style](md003.md): Enforces consistent heading style
- [MD025 - Single Title/H1](md025.md): Ensures there's only one top-level heading