docs/user_guide/yaml_input_structure/index.md
RenderCV uses a single YAML file to generate your CV. This file has four top-level fields:
cv:
...
# Your content (name, sections, entries)
...
design:
...
# Visual styling (theme, colors, fonts, spacing)
...
locale:
...
# Language strings (month names, "present", etc.)
...
settings:
...
# RenderCV behavior (current date, bold keywords)
...
Only cv is required. The others have sensible defaults.
Explore the detailed documentation for each field:
To maximize your productivity while editing the input YAML file, set up RenderCV's JSON Schema in your IDE. It will validate your inputs on the fly and give auto-complete suggestions.
=== "Visual Studio Code"
1. Install the [YAML extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=redhat.vscode-yaml).
2. Name your file ending with `_CV.yaml`. The schema activates automatically.
3. Press `Ctrl + Space` for suggestions.
=== "Other Editors"
1. Add this line at the top of your file:
```yaml
# yaml-language-server: $schema=https://github.com/rendercv/rendercv/blob/main/schema.json?raw=true
```
2. Press `Ctrl + Space` for suggestions (if your editor supports JSON Schema).