# How Humanizer Handles Pattern 19 (Bold as Decoration): A Complete Guide > Learn how Humanizer handles Pattern 19 bold as decoration. Discover how it strips decorative bold markup and converts labeled lists into natural prose for authentic human writing. - Repository: [Siqi Chen/humanizer](https://github.com/blader/humanizer) - Tags: deep-dive - Published: 2026-09-09 --- **Humanizer treats Pattern 19 (Bold as decoration) as a formatting‑by‑rule tell that strips decorative bold markup and transforms purely structural labeled lists into natural prose to ensure text reads like authentic human writing.** Humanizer, an open‑source text humanization library maintained in the `blader/humanizer` repository, applies specific formatting rules to eliminate machine‑generated artifacts. Pattern 19 specifically targets instances where **bold formatting** serves only decorative purposes rather than conveying semantic emphasis, ensuring the output mimics natural human writing patterns. ## What is Pattern 19: Bold as Decoration? Pattern 19 is defined in the repository’s skill documentation as a **formatting‑by‑rule tell** that identifies bold text lacking semantic value. According to the source code specification in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/blader/humanizer/blob/main/SKILL.md) at line 77 under the section **【Formatting by rule – Bold as decoration】**, this pattern triggers when bold markup appears on words or phrases that do not require emphasis for comprehension. The rule assumes that human writers reserve bold formatting for meaningful distinction, whereas decorative bolding—such as bold labels in lists or gratuitous emphasis on terms—signals automated or templated content. When Humanizer encounters decorative bolding, it executes two primary operations: - **Removes bold markup** from text that does not require semantic emphasis. - **Converts labeled lists** into fluid prose if the bold labels carry no additional informational value beyond structure. ## How Humanizer Processes Decorative Bold Markup The implementation treats decorative bold as a structural artifact to be eliminated. By analyzing the context of bold tags, Humanizer distinguishes between necessary emphasis and visual decoration. ### Removing Non-Semantic Bold Formatting In standard prose, Humanizer strips bold markup from terms that appear emphasized without purpose. For example, when processing text containing bolded acronyms or proper nouns that do not require emphasis, the tool removes the asterisks or bold tags while preserving the underlying content. **Input:** ```markdown It blends **OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)**, **KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)**, and visual strategy tools such as the **Business Model Canvas (BMC)** and **Balanced Scorecard (BSC)**. ``` **Humanizer Output:** ```text It blends OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), and visual strategy tools such as the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and Balanced Scorecard (BSC). ``` ### Converting Decorative Labeled Lists to Prose When Humanizer detects bold labels used as list headers without semantic weight—such as **User Experience:** or **Performance:**—it collapses the list structure into a cohesive sentence. This transformation removes the mechanical appearance of labeled bullet points and replaces it with flowing narrative text. **Input:** ```markdown - **User Experience:** The user experience has been significantly improved with a new interface. - **Performance:** Performance has been enhanced through optimized algorithms. - **Security:** Security has been strengthened with end‑to‑end encryption. ``` **Humanizer Output:** ```text The update improves the interface, speeds up load times through optimized algorithms, and adds end‑to‑end encryption. ``` ## Source Code Implementation The complete definition of Pattern 19 resides in **[`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/blader/humanizer/blob/main/SKILL.md)** at the repository root. The specific behavior is documented at line 77 within the **【Formatting by rule – Bold as decoration】** section, which provides the before‑and‑after examples referenced above. Additional context regarding Humanizer’s versioning and overall purpose appears in **[`README.md`](https://github.com/blader/humanizer/blob/main/README.md)**, while **[`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/blader/humanizer/blob/main/AGENTS.md)** details how these formatting rules are packaged and deployed across various AI agent implementations. These files collectively demonstrate how the `blader/humanizer` repository codifies human‑like text formatting standards. ## Summary - **Pattern 19 (Bold as decoration)** is a formatting‑by‑rule tell that identifies and removes bold markup lacking semantic purpose. - **Primary behavior**: Humanizer strips decorative bold tags and transforms labeled lists into natural prose sentences. - **Key file**: [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/blader/humanizer/blob/main/SKILL.md) (line 77) contains the formal definition under the section **【Formatting by rule – Bold as decoration】**. - **Repository**: `blader/humanizer` maintains the source code and skill definitions. - **Result**: Output text reads as if written by a human who reserves bold formatting only for meaningful emphasis. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Pattern 19 in Humanizer? Pattern 19, also referred to as **Bold as decoration**, is a formatting‑by‑rule tell that identifies bold text used purely for visual structure rather than semantic emphasis. According to the `blader/humanizer` source code in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/blader/humanizer/blob/main/SKILL.md), this pattern removes decorative bold markup to prevent text from appearing machine‑generated. ### How does Humanizer detect decorative bold formatting? Humanizer evaluates bold markup contextually to determine if it serves a meaningful emphasis function. When bold tags appear on labels, headers, or terms that do not require emphasis for comprehension—as defined in [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/blader/humanizer/blob/main/SKILL.md) section **【Formatting by rule – Bold as decoration】**—the tool classifies them as decorative and removes them. ### What happens to labeled lists with bold headers in Humanizer? When Humanizer encounters lists where bold headers (such as **Category:**) serve only structural purposes, it collapses the list into a single prose sentence. The transformation merges list items into a natural narrative flow, as demonstrated in the repository’s examples where bullet points become cohesive paragraphs. ### Where is the Bold as Decoration rule defined in the Humanizer source? The rule is formally defined in **[`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/blader/humanizer/blob/main/SKILL.md)** at line 77 under the section titled **【Formatting by rule – Bold as decoration】**. This file contains the complete specification, input‑output examples, and logic for Pattern 19. Supporting documentation appears in [`README.md`](https://github.com/blader/humanizer/blob/main/README.md) and [`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/blader/humanizer/blob/main/AGENTS.md) for implementation context.