# Disabling rules and categories

Disable individual **rules** or whole **categories** for any checking type.

This includes grammar rules, AI corrections and style rules.

### How it works

You create one or more JSON files with rule/category IDs.

You then reference these files in `AppServerX.xml` under the target `<Language ...>` block.

### File location

Disabled rules files live in the AppServer resources directory:

* Default: `<WebSpellChecker_Installation_Path>/AppServer/Resources/`
* Configurable via `ResourcesDir` in `AppServerX.xml`. See [AppServer parameters](/v6.12.0/deployment/configuration/application-server/appserver-parameters.md#resourcesdir).

Place files under the language group folder:

* `Resources/<lang_group>/`
* Example: `Resources/en/en_US_disabled_rules.json`

### Use a predefined file (or create your own)

You can start from a predefined `*_disabled_rules.json` file shipped in `Resources/<lang_group>/`.

Edit it to add or remove entries.

You can also create a new JSON file from scratch.

### Disabled rules JSON format

Example: `en_US_disabled_rules.json`

```json
{
  "categories": [
  ],
  "rules": [
    "DIFFERENT_THAN"
  ]
}
```

* `rules` contains rule IDs.
* `categories` contains category IDs.

### Configure AppServerX.xml

You can use:

* multiple disabled rules files per language.
* one shared file reused across several languages.

Add one `<DisabledRules .../>` entry per file inside the `<Language ...>` block.

Example:

```xml
<Language Id="en_US" Enabled="true">
  ...
  <DisabledRules Path="en/en_disabled_rules.json"/>
  <DisabledRules Path="en/en_US_disabled_rules.json"/>
  ...
</Language>
```

`Path` is resolved relative to `ResourcesDir`.

### Apply changes

{% hint style="warning" %}
Back up `AppServerX.xml` before you change it.
{% endhint %}

Restart AppServer to apply changes in `AppServerX.xml`.

To restart: [stop](https://docs.wproofreader.com/v6.12.0/deployment/configuration/grammar-check-engine-setup/pages/IA2KNQLXDh85TwDivL4y#mainappservercommands-stopappserverwindowslinux2.stopappserver) the application, then [start](https://docs.wproofreader.com/v6.12.0/deployment/configuration/grammar-check-engine-setup/pages/IA2KNQLXDh85TwDivL4y#mainappservercommands-startappserverwindowslinux1.startappserver) it again.

Use [Main AppServer commands](/v6.12.0/deployment/configuration/application-server/main-appserver-commands.md).

Changes in `*_disabled_rules.json` files are applied without the restart.

See [Main AppServer commands](/v6.12.0/deployment/configuration/application-server/main-appserver-commands.md).


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