# MD004 - Unordered List Style
This rule enforces consistent usage of unordered list markers throughout a document.
## Description
Unordered lists in Markdown can use three different markers: asterisks (`*`), plus signs (`+`), or hyphens (`-`).
This rule ensures that the same marker style is used consistently throughout a document.
The dash (`-`) style is used as the default fallback when no existing markers are found because:
1. Dashes are more visually distinct in raw Markdown
2. They're widely used in many popular Markdown style guides
3. They provide better visual clarity and readability in the source document
## Configuration
- `style`: The style to enforce for unordered list markers
- `consistent`: Use the first marker style found in the document (default). If no list markers are found, dash style (`-`) will be used as the default
- `asterisk`: Use `*` for all list markers
- `plus`: Use `+` for all list markers
- `dash`: Use `-` for all list markers
## Examples
### Valid (consistent style)
```markdown
* Item 1
* Item 2
* Nested item 1
* Nested item 2
* Item 3
```
```markdown
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Nested item 1
- Nested item 2
- Item 3
```
### Invalid
```markdown
* Item 1
+ Item 2
- Nested item 1
* Nested item 2
- Item 3
```
### Fixed
If the first list marker found was a dash:
```markdown
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Nested item 1
- Nested item 2
- Item 3
```
## Special Cases
1. List markers in code blocks are ignored:
```markdown
* Item 1
```
* Not a list item
+ Also not a list item
```
* Item 2
```
2. List markers in blockquotes are ignored:
```markdown
* Item 1
> * Quoted item
> + Another quoted item
* Item 2
```
3. List continuations are preserved:
```markdown
* Item 1
Continuation text
* Item 2
```
4. Mixed ordered and unordered lists are handled:
```markdown
1. Ordered item
* Unordered sub-item
* Another sub-item
2. Ordered item
```
## Related Rules
- [MD005](md005.md) - List indentation
- [MD007](md007.md) - Unordered list indentation
- [MD030](md030.md) - List marker spacing