---
title: inbound-links validate-link-reference cli command
description: Validate a locally built links.json against the published link registry. Use this to verify cross-links before publishing. The local links.json is checked...
url: https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/docs-builder/pull/2927/cli/inbound-links/validate-link-reference
products:
  - Elastic Docs Builder
---

# inbound-links validate-link-reference cli command
```bash
docs-builder inbound-links validate-link-reference [options]
```

Validate a locally built links.json against the published link registry.

## Options

<definitions>
  <definition term="--file string">
    Path to links.json. Defaults to .artifacts/docs/html/links.json.
    **Constraints:** symbolic links not allowed, must exist, extensions: json, supports `~` home expansion
  </definition>
  <definition term="-p --path string">
    Root of the documentation source. Defaults to cwd.
  </definition>
  <definition term="-l --log-level enum">
    Minimum log level.
    **Values:** trace, debug, information, warning, error, critical, none
    **Default:** `information`
  </definition>
  <definition term="-c --config-source enum">
    Override the configuration source: local, remote
    **Values:** local, remote, embedded
  </definition>
  <definition term="--[no-]skip-private-repositories">
    Skip cloning private repositories
  </definition>
</definitions>


## Notes

Use this to verify cross-links before publishing. The local links.json is checked against
all currently published registries to ensure every outbound cross-link resolves.