View source for Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/How-to

<noinclude>{{Wikipedia how to}}</noinclude>{{anchor|HOWTO|HOW TO|How to|How to use CfD}}
==  How to nominate a category for discussion ==
{{shortcut|WP:CFD#HOWTO}}

=== Nomination procedure ===

==== Twinkle ====
You may use [[Wikipedia:Twinkle|Twinkle]] to facilitate CfD nominations. To install Twinkle, go to [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-gadgets]] and check "Twinkle" in the "Browsing" section. Use the now-installed "XfD" (Start a deletion discussion) tab while viewing the page you want to nominate.

Twinkle only allows you to nominate a single category or stub template. For bundled nominations including multiple categories, see {{slink||MassCFD}}.

==== MassCFD ====

You can use the script [[User:Qwerfjkl/scripts/massXFD]] to automatically make mass nominations.

==== Manual nominations ====

{|width=100% cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4
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|bgcolor=#FFEFD5 style="text-align: center;"| {{strong|{{serif|I}}}}
|| <div style="font-size: 100%; width: 12em; max-width: 30%; float: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px; border: 1px solid #FFE4B5; padding: .1em; text-align: center; background-color: #FFEFD5;">Preliminary steps.</div>
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Before nominating a category:
* Read and understand the guidance for '''[[Wikipedia:Categorization|categorization]]''', '''[[Wikipedia:Category names|category names]]''', and '''[[Wikipedia:Overcategorization|overcategorization]]'''.
* For categories containing biographical articles, read the guidance for '''[[Wikipedia:Categorizing articles about people|categorizing articles about people]]'''.
* For categories containing the [[Wikipedia:User pages|user pages]] of [[Wikipedia:Wikipedians|Wikipedians]], read the guidance for '''[[Wikipedia:User categories|user categories]]'''.

In the following special cases:
* If a category is a ''[[Wikipedia:Red link|red link]]'', then it is already deleted (or was never created in the first place) and does not need to be nominated.
* If a category is ''[[WP:CSD#C1|unpopulated]]'', use {{Tlx|db-catempty}} to request it be [[Wikipedia:Speedy deletion|speedily deleted]] in 7 days.
* If a category is ''[[WP:TEMPLATECAT|populated solely by a template]]'' (other than a stub template, see [[#Stub types]] below) and you are proposing to delete both the category and template, follow the instructions at [[Wikipedia:Templates for discussion]].

For further information, see [[Wikipedia:Categorization]] and [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style]].

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|bgcolor=#FFE4B5 style="text-align: center;"| {{strong|{{serif|II}}}}
|| <div style="font-size: 100%; width: 12em; max-width: 30%; float: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px; border: 1px solid 
#FFE4B5; padding: .1em; text-align: center; background-color: #FFE4B5;">Edit the category.</div>
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Add one of the following templates at the '''beginning''' of the [[Help:Category#Category page definition|category page]] (not the [[Help:Talk pages|talk page]]) of every category to be discussed. For nominations involving large numbers of categories, help adding these templates can be requested [[Wikipedia talk:Categories for discussion|here]].

:Otherwise, if '''nominating a single category''':
:* For ''deleting'', use {{tlxs|Cfd}}
:* For ''merging'', use {{tlxs|Cfm|{{var|Other&nbsp;category}}}}
:** For ''merging to two categories'', use {{tlxs|Cfm-double|{{var|Other category&nbsp;1}}|{{var|Other category&nbsp;2}}}}
:* For ''renaming'', use {{tlxs|Cfr|{{var|Proposed&nbsp;name}}}}
:* For ''splitting'', use {{tlxs|Cfs|{{var|Proposed&nbsp;name&nbsp;1}}|{{var|Proposed&nbsp;name&nbsp;2}}}}
:* For ''converting the category into a list'', use {{tlxs|Cfl|{{var|Proposed&nbsp;name}}}}
:* For ''other options'' ([[Wikipedia:Container category|containerization]], etc.), use {{tlxs|Cfd|type{{=}}{{var|nature of proposed discussion}}}} {{small|{{crossref|(see [[Template:Cfd/doc#Optional parameter]])}}}}

:If nominating a group of related categories, use a '''bundled nomination''':
:* For ''deleting'', use {{tlxs|Cfd|{{var|CfD section name}}}}
:* For ''merging'', use {{tlxs|Cfm|{{var|Other&nbsp;category}}|{{var|CfD section name}}}}
:** For ''merging to two categories'', use {{tlxs|Cfm-double|{{var|Other&nbsp;category&nbsp;1}}|{{var|Other&nbsp;category&nbsp;2}}|{{var|CfD section name}}}}
:* For ''renaming'', use {{tlxs|Cfr|{{var|Proposed&nbsp;name}}|{{var|CfD section name}}}}
:* For ''splitting'', use {{tlxs|Cfs|{{var|Proposed&nbsp;name&nbsp;1}}|{{var|Proposed&nbsp;name&nbsp;2}}|{{var|CfD section name}}}}
:* For ''converting the category into a list'', {{tlxs|Cfl|{{var|Proposed&nbsp;name}}|{{var|CfD section name}}}}
:* For ''other options'' (containerization, etc.), use {{tlxs|Cfd|type{{=}}{{var|nature of proposed discussion}}|{{var|CfD section name}}}} {{small|{{crossref|(see [[Template:Cfd/doc#Optional parameter]])}}}}
<!-- :Alternatively, leave a message at [[User talk:DannyS712]] requesting that [[User:DannyS712 bot|a bot]] tag the categories for you. -->

* Include "CfD", "CfM", "CfR", "CfS" or "CfL" in the edit summary, and do not mark the edit as [[Help:Minor edit|minor]]. '''Preview before saving.'''
* To add the template for previous nomination days, use the "full" version of the template by appending "full" to the template name, i.e. {{tl|cfd full}}, {{tl|cfm full}}, {{tl|cfr full}}, {{tl|cfs full}} and {{tl|cfl full}}. Use the <code>|day=</code>, <code>|month=</code> and <code>|year=</code> parameters to make the banner link to the correct CfD page.
* Consider adding <code>{{tlsp|cfd notice|{{var|Category name}}|{{CURRENTYEAR}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}}|{{var|CfD section name}}}} <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki></code> to the talk page of the category's creator.
* For details about these templates, see each template's [[Wikipedia:Template documentation|documentation]].

|-
|bgcolor=#FFDAB9 style="text-align: center;"| {{strong|{{serif|III}}}}
|| <div style="font-size: 100%; width: 12em; max-width: 30%; float: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px; border: 1px solid #FFE4B5; padding: .1em; text-align: center; background-color: #FFDAB9;">Create the CFD section.</div>
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[{{fullurl:Wikipedia:Categories_for_discussion/Log/{{CURRENTYEAR}}_{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}}_{{CURRENTDAY}}|action=edit&section=2}} Click {{strong|<big>THIS LINK</big>}} to edit the section of CfD for today's entries.]  

Follow the instructions (visible in edit mode) to copy and paste one of the templates below. When inserting category names into these template's parameters, except the <code>text=</code> parameter, omit the <code>Category:</code> prefix and do not use [[Help:Link#Wikilinks (internal links)|wikilinks]], as the template takes care of this.

:If '''nominating a single category''':
:* For ''deleting'', use {{tlxs|Cfd2|{{var|Obsolete&nbsp;category}}|text{{=}}{{var|Your reason(s) for the proposed deletion.}} <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>}}
:* For ''merging'', use {{tlxs|Cfm2|{{var|Origin&nbsp;category}}|{{var|Destination&nbsp;category}}|text{{=}}{{var|Your reason(s) for the proposed merge.}} <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>}}
:** For ''merging to two categories'', use {{tlxs|Cfm2|{{var|Origin&nbsp;category}}|{{var|Destination category&nbsp;1}}|target2{{=}}{{var|Destination category&nbsp;2}}|text{{=}}{{var|Your reason(s) for the proposed merge.}} <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>}}
:* For ''renaming'', use {{tlxs|Cfr2|{{var|Current&nbsp;category}}|{{var|Proposed&nbsp;name}}|text{{=}}{{var|Your reason(s) for the proposed rename.}} <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>}}
:* For ''splitting'', use {{tlxs|Cfs2|{{var|Current&nbsp;category}}|{{var|Proposed&nbsp;category&nbsp;1}}|{{var|Proposed&nbsp;category&nbsp;2}}|text{{=}}{{var|Your reason(s) for the proposed split.}} <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>}}
:* For ''converting the category into a list'', use {{tlxs|Cfc2|{{var|Current&nbsp;category}}|{{var|Proposed&nbsp;article}}|text{{=}}{{var|Your reason(s) for the proposed conversion.}} <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>}}
:* For ''other options'' (containerization, etc.), use {{tlxs|Cfd2|{{var|Current&nbsp;category}}|type{{=}}{{var|other type}}|text{{=}}{{var|Your reason(s) for the proposed conversion.}} <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>}}

:For a '''bundled nomination''', use one of the standard templates to build the "Cfd section name" for the first nominated category. After saving that, the second and subsequent nominations must be inserted manually, as follows:
::<code>==== {{var|Cfd section name}} ====</code>
::<code><nowiki>* </nowiki>{{var|1st&nbsp;category}}</code>
::<code><nowiki>* </nowiki>{{var|2nd&nbsp;category}}</code> [Make clear whether you propose deletion, merging or renaming]
::<code><nowiki>* </nowiki>{{var|Your reason for nominating the categories, and signature.}}</code>
 
* If a bundled nomination is too long, consider using {{tl|hidden}} to hide some of the nominated categories.
* In your reason, use links if mentioning articles or categories. To link to a category, use the [[Help:Colon trick|colon trick]] by adding a colon (<code>:</code>) to the beginning of the link, e.g. <code><nowiki>[[:Category:</nowiki>{{var|Foo}}<nowiki>]]</nowiki></code>.
* '''Preview before saving''' to check that your nomination is formatted correctly, and remember to '''include your signature''' at the end of the nomination.
|}

==== Stub types ====

{|width=100% cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4
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|bgcolor=#EEFFE6| <span style="font-family:Verdana,Arial">{{strong|I}}</span>
|| <div style="font-size: 100%; width: 12em; max-width: 30%; float: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px; border: 1px solid #EEFFE6; padding: .1em; text-align: center; background-color: #EEFFE6;">Preliminary steps.</div>
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In general, a '''[[Wikipedia:Stub#Creating stub types|stub type]]''' consists of a stub [[Help:Template|template]] and a dedicated stub category. Before nominating a stub type for deletion, merging or renaming:
* Read and understand guidance for '''[[Wikipedia:Stub#Creating stub types|creating stub types]]''' and '''[[Wikipedia:WikiProject Stub sorting/Naming conventions|stub type naming conventions]]'''.
* Review the list of existing [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Stub sorting/Stub types|stub types]]—be advised, this list may not be comprehensive.
* If you wish to:
** Create a new stub type—follow the [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Stub sorting/Proposals#Proposing new stub types – procedure|procedure for proposing new stub types]].
** Delete, merge or rename a stub category '''''only''''', without deleting or renaming the associated stub template—follow the instructions above this section.
** Delete or rename a stub template—continue to section II.

|-
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|| <div style="font-size: 100%; width: 12em; max-width: 30%; float: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px; border: 1px solid #EEFFE6; padding: .1em; text-align: center; background-color: #EEFFE6;">Edit the template.</div>
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Add one of the following tags at the '''beginning''' of the template to be discussed.

:* For ''deletion'', use {{tlxs|Sfd-t|{{var|Section&nbsp;name}}}}
:* For ''renaming'', use {{tlxs|Sfr-t|{{var|Proposed&nbsp;name}}|{{var|Section&nbsp;name}}}}

* Please include "SFD" or "SFR" in the edit summary, and don't mark the edit as minor. '''Preview before saving'''.
* Consider notifying the template's creator on their talk page. To find the contributor, check the [[Help:Page history|page history]] of the stub template.

|-
|bgcolor=#ACBFA3| <span style="font-family:Verdana,Arial">{{strong|III}}</span>
|| <div style="font-size: 100%; width: 12em; max-width: 30%; float: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px; border: 1px solid #EEFFE6; padding: .1em; text-align: center; background-color: #EEFFE6;">Create the CFD section.</div>
{{clear}}
[{{fullurl:Wikipedia:Categories_for_discussion/Log/{{CURRENTYEAR}}_{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}}_{{CURRENTDAY}}|action=edit&section=2}} Click {{strong|<big>THIS LINK</big>}} to edit the section of CfD for today's entries.]  

Follow the instructions (visible in edit mode) and paste the following text (remember to update the default parameters):

:*For ''deletion'', use {{tlxs|sfd-t2|{{var|TemplateName}}|text{{=}}{{var|Your reason(s) for the proposed deletion.}} <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>}}
:*For ''renaming'', use {{tlxs|sfr-t2|{{var|TemplateOldName}}|{{var|TemplateNewName}}|text{{=}}{{var|Your reason(s) for the proposed deletion.}} <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>}}

* In your rationale, '''mention how many articles currently use the template''' to help other editors. When linking to a category in your rationale, '''always add a colon (<code>:</code>)''' to the beginning of the link, like <code><nowiki>[[:Category:</nowiki>{{var|Foo}}<nowiki>]]</nowiki></code>. This makes a category link that can be seen on the page, and avoids putting this page into the category you are nominating.
* '''Preview before saving''' to check that your nomination is formatted correctly, and remember to '''include your signature''' at the end of the nomination.
|}

=== Notifying interested projects and editors ===
In addition to the steps listed above, you may choose to invite participation by editors who are likely to be informed about a nominated category. All such efforts must comply with [[Wikipedia:Canvassing|Wikipedia's guideline against biased canvassing]]. In addition, to help make your messages about the CfD discussion clear, avoid Wikipedia-specific abbreviations, link to relevant policies or guidelines, and link to the discussion itself.

;Notifying related WikiProjects
[[Wikipedia:WikiProject|WikiProjects]] consist of groups of editors who are interested in a particular subject. If a nominated category is within the scope of one or more WikiProjects, consider adding a brief, neutral note on their talk page(s) about the nomination. You may use <code>{{tlsp|cfd notice|{{var|Category name}}|{{CURRENTYEAR}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}}|{{var|CfD section name}}|wikiproject=yes}} <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki></code> or write a personalized message.

Tagging the nominated category's talk page with a relevant [[Wikipedia:Template messages/WikiProject banners|WikiProject's banner]] will include the category in that WikiProject's ''[[Wikipedia:Article alerts|Article Alerts]]'' if they [[Wikipedia:Article alerts/Subscription list|subscribe to the system]]. For instance, tagging a nominated category with {{tl|WikiProject Physics}} will add the discussion to [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Physics/Article alerts]].

;Notifying substantial contributors to the category
While not required, it is generally considered courteous to notify the [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith|good-faith]] creator and main contributors of the category that you are nominating for discussion. To find the creator and main contributors, check the category's [[Help:Page history|page history]] or [[Help:Talk page|talk page]]. You may use {{Tlx|Cfd notice}} to inform the category's creator and all other editors.

;Notifying other interested editors
It may be helpful to invite other subject-matter experts by posting a message on the talk page of the most closely related article, such as [[Protein family]] for [[:Category:Protein families]]. You may use {{Tlx|Cfdnotice}} for this.