# MD041 - First Line Should Be a Top-Level Heading
## Description
This rule ensures that the first content line in a file is a top-level (h1) heading. Starting each document
with a top-level heading provides a clear title and improves document structure and navigation.
By default, this rule checks for a level 1 heading (# Heading), but it can be configured to check for
a different heading level.
## Examples
### Valid
```markdown
# Document Title
This is a paragraph in a document with a proper title.
```
### Invalid
```markdown
This document doesn't start with a heading.
Some more content here.
## This is a heading, but not a top-level one
```
### Fixed
```markdown
# Document Title
This document doesn't start with a heading.
Some more content here.
## This is a heading, but not a top-level one
```
## Configuration
This rule has the following configuration options:
- `level`: The heading level to require at the beginning of the document. Default is `1`.
- `front*matter*title`: The name of the front matter title field. Default is `title`.
## Special Cases
- This rule does not apply if the document is empty
- If `front*matter*title` is set and the document has front matter with a title, the rule is satisfied
- The rule ignores YAML, TOML, or other front matter at the beginning of the document
- Comments at the beginning of the document are also ignored
## Related Rules
- [MD001 - Heading increment](md001.md): Ensures heading levels increment by one level at a time
- [MD003 - Heading style](md003.md): Ensures consistent heading style
- [MD025 - Single title/h1](md025.md): Ensures there's only one top-level heading