Evolutionary:Style guide - Revision history

Maintenance script: Merge planets into star system pages

2026-10-19T22:52:41Z

Merge planets into star system pages

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:52, 19 October 2026
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	== Article layout ==		== Article layout ==
	Use the sections that apply, in this order, and skip the rest. For finished pages, see the example [[Evolutionary:Example species\|species~~]], [[Evolutionary:Example planet\|planet~~]] and [[Evolutionary:Example system\|system]] pages.		Use the sections that apply, in this order, and skip the rest. For finished pages, see the example [[Evolutionary:Example species\|species]] and [[Evolutionary:Example system\|system]] pages.

	; Species		; Species
	: Description · Biology · Behaviour · Habitat and range · Society and culture ''(sapient species)'' · History / Discovery · Behind the scenes		: Description · Biology · Behaviour · Habitat and range · Society and culture ''(sapient species)'' · History / Discovery · Behind the scenes
	~~; Planets and moons~~
	~~: Overview · Geography · Climate · Life · History · Behind the scenes~~
	; Star systems		; Star systems
	: Overview · Planets · Life · History · Behind the scenes		: Overview · Planets (one sub-section per planet or moon, each starting with a {{tl\|Planet}} box) · Life · History · Behind the scenes

	Use <code><nowiki>== Section ==</nowiki></code> for sections and <code><nowiki>=== Sub-section ===</nowiki></code> below them. Don't use single <code>=</code> headings, since that's the page title.		Use <code><nowiki>== Section ==</nowiki></code> for sections and <code><nowiki>=== Sub-section ===</nowiki></code> below them. Don't use single <code>=</code> headings, since that's the page title.
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	== Linking ==		== Linking ==
	* Link the '''first mention''' of another species, planet or system in each article; don't link every mention.		* Link the '''first mention''' of another species, planet or system in each article; don't link every mention.
			* Planets don't have their own pages. Link to the planet's section on its system page: <code><nowiki>[[Halcyon#Nereid\|Nereid]]</nowiki></code>. To make plain <code><nowiki>[[Nereid]]</nowiki></code> links and searches work too, create a page called ''Nereid'' containing only <code><nowiki>#REDIRECT [[Halcyon#Nereid]]</nowiki></code>.
	* It's fine to link to pages that don't exist yet. Red links show what still needs writing (see [[Special:WantedPages]]).		* It's fine to link to pages that don't exist yet. Red links show what still needs writing (see [[Special:WantedPages]]).

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	\| {{tl\|Infobox species}} \|\| Any living organism: plant, animal, fungus, microbe or sapient species. Adds the page to [[:Category:Species]].		\| {{tl\|Infobox species}} \|\| Any living organism: plant, animal, fungus, microbe or sapient species. Adds the page to [[:Category:Species]].
	\|-		\|-
	\| {{tl\|~~Infobox planet~~}} \|\| ~~Planets and moons~~. ~~Adds~~ the page ~~to [[:Category:Planets]]~~.		\| {{tl\|Planet}} \|\| A planet or moon. Goes at the top of the planet's sub-section on its star system page.
	\|-		\|-
	\| {{tl\|Infobox star system}} \|\| Star systems. Adds the page to [[:Category:Systems]].		\| {{tl\|Infobox star system}} \|\| Star systems. Adds the page to [[:Category:Systems]].

Maintenance script: Three minimal example pages: species, planet, system

2026-10-18T06:11:04Z

Three minimal example pages: species, planet, system

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:11, 18 October 2026
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	== Article layout ==		== Article layout ==
	Use the sections that apply, in this order, and skip the rest. For a finished ~~species page~~, see the [[Evolutionary:Example ~~article~~\|~~example article~~]].		Use the sections that apply, in this order, and skip the rest. For finished pages, see the example [[Evolutionary:Example species\|species]], [[Evolutionary:Example planet\|planet]] and [[Evolutionary:Example system\|system]] pages.

	; Species		; Species

Maintenance script: Redesign: Star Citizen Wiki style Main Page, infoboxes and notices; short descriptions; Create a page

2026-10-18T06:00:16Z

Redesign: Star Citizen Wiki style Main Page, infoboxes and notices; short descriptions; Create a page

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:00, 18 October 2026
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	== Creating pages ==		== Creating pages ==
	Start new articles ~~with the~~ '''Create a page''' ~~box~~ on the [[Main Page~~]], or the box at the top of each category page~~. Both are only visible ~~when you're logged in~~.		Start new articles from [[Evolutionary:Create a page]], linked as '''Create a page''' in the sidebar's '''Contribute''' menu and in the Writer's desk on the Main Page. Both are only visible to writers.

	Type the name and press the button. The new page opens with:		Type the name and press the button. The new page opens with:
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	== Adding a new category ==		== Adding a new category ==
	Use ~~the~~ '''Create category''' ~~button in the same box~~. The new category is added to [[:Category:Universe]], so it appears on the Main Page and the About page automatically.		Use '''Create category''' on [[Evolutionary:Create a page]]. The new category is added to [[:Category:Universe]], so it appears on the Main Page and the About page automatically.

	Two things are not automatic yet:		Two things are not automatic yet:

Maintenance script: Add example article (Ember octopus) and link it for writers

2026-10-15T22:48:02Z

Add example article (Ember octopus) and link it for writers

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:48, 15 October 2026
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	== Article layout ==		== Article layout ==
	Use the sections that apply, in this order, and skip the rest:		Use the sections that apply, in this order, and skip the rest. For a finished species page, see the [[Evolutionary:Example article\|example article]].

	; Species		; Species

Maintenance script: Automatic category lists and Create buttons; easier-to-read privacy policy; remove em dashes

2026-10-14T21:33:17Z

Automatic category lists and Create buttons; easier-to-read privacy policy; remove em dashes

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:33, 14 October 2026
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	This page explains how articles on the Evolutionary wiki are written and laid out, so the wiki reads as one consistent encyclopedia no matter who wrote each page. When in doubt, look at how an existing article does it — or ask on this page's talk page.		This page explains how articles on the Evolutionary wiki are written and laid out, so the wiki reads as one consistent encyclopedia no matter who wrote each page. When in doubt, look at how an existing article does it, or ask on this page's talk page.

	== Voice and tone ==		== Voice and tone ==
	* '''Write like an encyclopedia inside the universe.''' Describe things as facts of the Evolutionary universe, in the third person ("The Draconis koi communicates through…"), not as a story or from the author's view.		* '''Write like an encyclopedia inside the universe.''' Describe things as facts of the Evolutionary universe, in the third person ("The Draconis koi communicates through…"), not as a story or from the author's view.
	* '''Use present tense''' for things that still exist (species, planets, organisations) and '''past tense''' for events and things that are gone.		* '''Use present tense''' for things that still exist (species, planets, organisations) and '''past tense''' for events and things that are gone.
	* '''Out-of-universe notes''' — inspirations, design notes, ideas that aren't decided yet — go in a section called ''Behind the scenes'' at the bottom of the article.		* '''Out-of-universe notes''' (inspirations, design notes, ideas that aren't decided yet) go in a section called ''Behind the scenes'' at the bottom of the article.
	* '''Use metric units''' (metres, kilograms, °C). Give Earth comparisons where they help: "about the size of a house cat".		* '''Use metric units''' (metres, kilograms, °C). Give Earth comparisons where they help: "about the size of a house cat".

	== Naming pages ==		== Naming pages ==
	* Name species pages by their '''common name''' (e.g. ''Draconis Koi'', ''Hurricane Fungus''). If a species has no common name, use its scientific name.		* Name species pages by their '''common name''' (e.g. ''Draconis Koi'', ''Hurricane Fungus''). If a species has no common name, use its scientific name.
	* Use '''sentence case''' for everything except proper names: ''Floating algae colonies'', not ''Floating Algae Colonies'' — unless the words are the proper name of the species or place.		* Use '''sentence case''' for everything except proper names: ''Floating algae colonies'', not ''Floating Algae Colonies'', unless the words are the proper name of the species or place.
	* Create a '''redirect''' from the scientific name and any other names to the main page, so links and searches find it. A redirect is a page containing only <code><nowiki>#REDIRECT [[Main page name]]</nowiki></code>.		* Create a '''redirect''' from the scientific name and any other names to the main page, so links and searches find it. A redirect is a page containing only <code><nowiki>#REDIRECT [[Main page name]]</nowiki></code>.

	== Scientific names ==		== Scientific names ==
	* Write scientific names in ''italics'', with the first word capitalised and the second in lower case: ''Chlorophyta carbo'', ''Dolor piscium''.		* Write scientific names in ''italics'', with the first word capitalised and the second in lower case: ''Chlorophyta carbo'', ''Dolor piscium''.
	* The species infobox italicises the <code>scientific_name</code> field for you — type it without the italic marks there.		* The species infobox italicises the <code>scientific_name</code> field for you, so type it without the italic marks there.

	== How an article starts ==		== How an article starts ==
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	: Overview · Planets · Life · History · Behind the scenes		: Overview · Planets · Life · History · Behind the scenes

	Use <code><nowiki>== Section ==</nowiki></code> for sections and <code><nowiki>=== Sub-section ===</nowiki></code> below them. Don't use single <code>=</code> headings — that's the page title.		Use <code><nowiki>== Section ==</nowiki></code> for sections and <code><nowiki>=== Sub-section ===</nowiki></code> below them. Don't use single <code>=</code> headings, since that's the page title.

	== Linking ==		== Linking ==
	* Link the '''first mention''' of another species, planet or system in each article; don't link every mention.		* Link the '''first mention''' of another species, planet or system in each article; don't link every mention.
	* It's fine to link to pages that don't exist yet ~~— red~~ links show what still needs writing (see [[Special:WantedPages]]).		* It's fine to link to pages that don't exist yet. Red links show what still needs writing (see [[Special:WantedPages]]).

	== Images ==		== Images ==
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	* Only upload images you made or have permission to use, and say where it came from in the upload description.		* Only upload images you made or have permission to use, and say where it came from in the upload description.
	* Every image in an article should have a short caption.		* Every image in an article should have a short caption.

			== Creating pages ==
			Start new articles with the '''Create a page''' box on the [[Main Page]], or the box at the top of each category page. Both are only visible when you're logged in.

			Type the name and press the button. The new page opens with:
			* the right infobox, ready to fill in,
			* the usual sections for that kind of article,
			* a {{tl\|Stub}} notice.

			When you save, the page is added to its category automatically. Remove the {{tl\|Stub}} notice once the article covers its subject properly.

			== Adding a new category ==
			Use the '''Create category''' button in the same box. The new category is added to [[:Category:Universe]], so it appears on the Main Page and the About page automatically.

			Two things are not automatic yet:
			* '''The sidebar.''' To add the new category there, edit [[MediaWiki:Sidebar]].
			* '''Filling the category.''' Pages join a category automatically when their infobox adds them, like {{tl\|Infobox species}} does. A new kind of page needs its own infobox for that. Until then, add <code><nowiki>[[Category:Name]]</nowiki></code> to the bottom of each page.

	== Templates ==		== Templates ==
	In the visual editor, use '''Insert → Template''' and search for the name ~~— each~~ one shows a form with every field explained. All fields are optional, and empty ones are hidden.		In the visual editor, use '''Insert → Template''' and search for the name. Each one shows a form with every field explained. All fields are optional, and empty ones are hidden.

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	! Template !! Use it for		! Template !! Use it for
	\|-		\|-
	\| {{tl\|Infobox species}} \|\| Any living organism — plant, animal, fungus, microbe or sapient species. Adds the page to [[:Category:Species]].		\| {{tl\|Infobox species}} \|\| Any living organism: plant, animal, fungus, microbe or sapient species. Adds the page to [[:Category:Species]].
	\|-		\|-
	\| {{tl\|Infobox planet}} \|\| Planets and moons. Adds the page to [[:Category:Planets]].		\| {{tl\|Infobox planet}} \|\| Planets and moons. Adds the page to [[:Category:Planets]].
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	== Edits and discussion ==		== Edits and discussion ==
	* Write a short '''edit summary''' when you save ("added diet section", "fixed typo").		* Write a short '''edit summary''' when you save ("added diet section", "fixed typo").
	* For big changes to someone else's article — especially one marked {{tl\|WIP}} — ask on the article's '''talk page''' first.		* For big changes to someone else's article, especially one marked {{tl\|WIP}}, ask on the article's '''talk page''' first.
	* Canon questions (is this part of the universe or not?) go to [[User:ItsChugg\|ItsChugg]].		* Canon questions (is this part of the universe or not?) go to [[User:ItsChugg\|ItsChugg]].

Maintenance script: Add Planets/Systems categories; About, Copyrights, Disclaimer, Privacy policy; footer

2026-10-14T19:13:49Z

Add Planets/Systems categories; About, Copyrights, Disclaimer, Privacy policy; footer

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:13, 14 October 2026
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	\| {{tl\|Infobox species}} \|\| Any living organism — plant, animal, fungus, microbe or sapient species. Adds the page to [[:Category:Species]].		\| {{tl\|Infobox species}} \|\| Any living organism — plant, animal, fungus, microbe or sapient species. Adds the page to [[:Category:Species]].
	\|-		\|-
	\| {{tl\|Infobox planet}} \|\| Planets and moons.		\| {{tl\|Infobox planet}} \|\| Planets and moons. Adds the page to [[:Category:Planets]].
	\|-		\|-
	\| {{tl\|Infobox star system}} \|\| Star systems.		\| {{tl\|Infobox star system}} \|\| Star systems. Adds the page to [[:Category:Systems]].
	\|-		\|-
	\| {{tl\|Stub}} \|\| Articles that cover the basics but need more detail.		\| {{tl\|Stub}} \|\| Articles that cover the basics but need more detail.

Maintenance script: Initial setup: templates, Main Page, style guide

2026-10-14T04:10:42Z

Initial setup: templates, Main Page, style guide

New page

This page explains how articles on the Evolutionary wiki are written and laid out, so the wiki reads as one consistent encyclopedia no matter who wrote each page. When in doubt, look at how an existing article does it — or ask on this page's talk page.

== Voice and tone ==
* '''Write like an encyclopedia inside the universe.''' Describe things as facts of the Evolutionary universe, in the third person ("The Draconis koi communicates through…"), not as a story or from the author's view.
* '''Use present tense''' for things that still exist (species, planets, organisations) and '''past tense''' for events and things that are gone.
* '''Out-of-universe notes''' — inspirations, design notes, ideas that aren't decided yet — go in a section called ''Behind the scenes'' at the bottom of the article.
* '''Use metric units''' (metres, kilograms, °C). Give Earth comparisons where they help: "about the size of a house cat".

== Naming pages ==
* Name species pages by their '''common name''' (e.g. ''Draconis Koi'', ''Hurricane Fungus''). If a species has no common name, use its scientific name.
* Use '''sentence case''' for everything except proper names: ''Floating algae colonies'', not ''Floating Algae Colonies'' — unless the words are the proper name of the species or place.
* Create a '''redirect''' from the scientific name and any other names to the main page, so links and searches find it. A redirect is a page containing only <code><nowiki>#REDIRECT [[Main page name]]</nowiki></code>.

== Scientific names ==
* Write scientific names in ''italics'', with the first word capitalised and the second in lower case: ''Chlorophyta carbo'', ''Dolor piscium''.
* The species infobox italicises the <code>scientific_name</code> field for you — type it without the italic marks there.

== How an article starts ==
* The '''first sentence''' says what the subject is, with the page name in '''bold''':<br><code><nowiki>The '''Draconis koi''' (''Dolor piscium'') is a semi-sapient fish native to the Sigma Draconis system.</nowiki></code>
* Put templates in this order at the very top of the page: notices ({{tl|WIP}}, {{tl|Stub}}), then the infobox, then the first sentence.

== Article layout ==
Use the sections that apply, in this order, and skip the rest:

; Species
: Description · Biology · Behaviour · Habitat and range · Society and culture ''(sapient species)'' · History / Discovery · Behind the scenes
; Planets and moons
: Overview · Geography · Climate · Life · History · Behind the scenes
; Star systems
: Overview · Planets · Life · History · Behind the scenes

Use <code><nowiki>== Section ==</nowiki></code> for sections and <code><nowiki>=== Sub-section ===</nowiki></code> below them. Don't use single <code>=</code> headings — that's the page title.

== Linking ==
* Link the '''first mention''' of another species, planet or system in each article; don't link every mention.
* It's fine to link to pages that don't exist yet — red links show what still needs writing (see [[Special:WantedPages]]).

== Images ==
* Upload with [[Special:Upload]], using a descriptive file name (''Draconis Koi swimming.png'', not ''IMG_2041.png'').
* Only upload images you made or have permission to use, and say where it came from in the upload description.
* Every image in an article should have a short caption.

== Templates ==
In the visual editor, use '''Insert → Template''' and search for the name — each one shows a form with every field explained. All fields are optional, and empty ones are hidden.

{| class="wikitable"
! Template !! Use it for
|-
| {{tl|Infobox species}} || Any living organism — plant, animal, fungus, microbe or sapient species. Adds the page to [[:Category:Species]].
|-
| {{tl|Infobox planet}} || Planets and moons.
|-
| {{tl|Infobox star system}} || Star systems.
|-
| {{tl|Stub}} || Articles that cover the basics but need more detail.
|-
| {{tl|WIP}} || Articles someone is actively writing. Add a name: <code><nowiki>{{WIP|YourName}}</nowiki></code>.
|-
| {{tl|Notice}} || A one-off notice banner with your own text.
|}

== Edits and discussion ==
* Write a short '''edit summary''' when you save ("added diet section", "fixed typo").
* For big changes to someone else's article — especially one marked {{tl|WIP}} — ask on the article's '''talk page''' first.
* Canon questions (is this part of the universe or not?) go to [[User:ItsChugg|ItsChugg]].