require-footer-link-column-items

Require an items array for Docusaurus footer link columns.

Targeted pattern scope

This rule focuses on docusaurus.config.* files and specifically on footer column objects under themeConfig.footer.links.

It targets footer column objects that declare:

title

and expects them to also declare:

items

When items is authored statically, this rule also expects it to be an array.

What this rule reports

This rule reports two invalid footer-column shapes:

footer columns that omit items
footer columns whose static items value is not an array

Why this rule exists

Docusaurus footer columns are containers for grouped footer links.

When a column has a title but no items array, the config becomes misleading and no longer matches the documented footer-column contract.

❌ Incorrect

export default {
    themeConfig: {
        footer: {
            links: [
                {
                    title: "Docs",
                },
                {
                    title: "Community",
                    items: "docs",
                },
            ],
        },
    },
};

✅ Correct

export default {
    themeConfig: {
        footer: {
            links: [
                {
                    title: "Docs",
                    items: [{ label: "Docs", to: "/docs/intro" }],
                },
            ],
        },
    },
};

Behavior and migration notes

This rule reports only. It does not autofix.

Maintainers still need to decide which footer links belong in the column.

Additional examples

✅ Correct — identifier-backed items array

const footerItems = [{ label: "Docs", to: "/docs/intro" }];

export default {
    themeConfig: {
        footer: {
            links: [
                {
                    title: "Docs",
                    items: footerItems,
                },
            ],
        },
    },
};

When not to use it

Do not use this rule if your project intentionally permits incomplete footer-column placeholders and you do not want linting to enforce the documented Docusaurus footer-column contract.

Rule catalog ID: R039

Targeted pattern scope​

What this rule reports​

Why this rule exists​

❌ Incorrect​

✅ Correct​

Behavior and migration notes​

Additional examples​

✅ Correct — identifier-backed items array​

When not to use it​

Further reading​