src/diagnostics/error-codes.md

# Error codes
We generally try to assign each error message a unique code like `E0123`.
These codes are defined in the compiler in the `diagnostics.rs` files found in each
crate, which basically consist of macros.
All error codes have an associated explanation: new error codes must include them.
Note that not all _historical_ (no longer emitted) error codes have explanations.

## Error explanations

The explanations are written in Markdown (see the [CommonMark Spec] for
specifics around syntax), and all of them are linked in the [`rustc_error_codes`] crate.
Please read [RFC 1567] for details on how to format and write long error codes.
As of <!-- date-check --> March 2026, there is an
effort[^new-explanations] to replace this largely outdated RFC with a new more flexible standard.

Error explanations should expand on the error message and provide details about
_why_ the error occurs.
It is not helpful for users to copy-paste a quick fix;
explanations should help users understand why their code cannot be accepted by the compiler.
Rust prides itself on helpful error messages and long-form explanations are no exception.
However, before error explanations are
overhauled[^new-explanations] it is a bit open as to how exactly they should be
written, as always: ask your reviewer or ask around on the Rust Zulip.

[^new-explanations]: See the draft RFC [here][new-explanations-rfc].

[`rustc_error_codes`]: https://doc.rust-lang.org/nightly/nightly-rustc/rustc_error_codes/index.html
[CommonMark Spec]: https://spec.commonmark.org/current/
[RFC 1567]: https://github.com/rust-lang/rfcs/blob/master/text/1567-long-error-codes-explanation-normalization.md
[new-explanations-rfc]: https://github.com/rust-lang/rfcs/pull/3370

## Allocating a fresh code

Error codes are stored in `compiler/rustc_error_codes`.

To create a new error, you first need to find the next available code.
You can find it by opening `rustc_error_codes/src/lib.rs` and scrolling down 
to the end of the `error_codes!` macro declaration.

Here we might see the highest error code in use is `E0805`, so we _probably_ want `E0806`.
To be sure, run `rg E0806` and check, you should see no references.

You will have to write an extended description for your error,
which will go in `rustc_error_codes/src/error_codes/E0806.md`.
To register the error, add the code (in its proper numerical order) to 
the `error_codes!` macro, like this:

```rust
macro_rules! error_codes {
...
0806,
}
```

To actually issue the error, you can use the `struct_span_code_err!` macro:

```rust
struct_span_code_err!(self.dcx(), // some path to the `DiagCtxt` here
                 span, // whatever span in the source you want
                 E0806, // your new error code
                 fluent::example::an_error_message)
    .emit() // actually issue the error
```

If you want to add notes or other snippets, you can invoke methods before you call `.emit()`:

```rust
struct_span_code_err!(...)
    .span_label(another_span, fluent::example::example_label)
    .span_note(another_span, fluent::example::separate_note)
    .emit()
```

For an example of a PR adding an error code, see [#76143].

[#76143]: https://github.com/rust-lang/rust/pull/76143

## Running error code doctests

To test the examples added in `rustc_error_codes/src/error_codes`, run the
error index generator using:

```
./x test ./src/tools/error_index_generator
```