diff --git a/.markdownlint.json b/.markdownlint.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c34d35b462
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.markdownlint.json
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+{
+  "default": false,
+  "hr-style": true,
+  "no-missing-space-atx": true,
+  "no-multiple-space-atx": true,
+  "no-missing-space-closed-atx": true,
+  "no-multiple-space-closed-atx": true,
+  "no-space-in-emphasis": true,
+  "no-space-in-code": true,
+  "no-space-in-links": true,
+  "ol-prefix": {"style": "ordered"},
+  "no-reversed-links": true
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.mdlrc.style.rb b/.markdownlint.rb
similarity index 78%
rename from .mdlrc.style.rb
rename to .markdownlint.rb
index 61c70e4406..35dd0922e4 100644
--- a/.mdlrc.style.rb
+++ b/.markdownlint.rb
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 # https://github.com/markdownlint/markdownlint/blob/master/docs/RULES.md
+#
+# When updating rules in this file, ensure the corresponding rule list in
+# .markdownlint.json is also updated.
 
 # style
 rule 'header-style'
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index ffdf31150b..f6b2a56d0e 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ as possible for you to work in this repository. The documentation for Docker is
 ## Table of Contents
 
 - [Contribution guidelines](#contribution-guidelines)
-  - [Files not edited here](#files-not-edited-here)
   - [Important files](#important-files)
+  - [Files not edited here](#files-not-edited-here)
   - [Per-page front-matter](#per-page-front-matter)
 - [Pull request guidelines](#pull-request-guidelines)
 - [Collaborate on a pull request](#collaborate-on-a-pull-request)
@@ -192,7 +192,18 @@ repository. Compressing images after adding them to the repository actually wors
 
 ### Style guide
 
-Docker does not currently maintain a style guide. Follow the examples set by the existing documentation and use your best judgment.
+Docker does not currently maintain a style guide. Follow the examples set by
+the existing documentation and use your best judgment.
+
+We use [markdownlint](https://github.com/markdownlint/markdownlint) to ensure
+consistent markdown source, and to catch potential formatting issues as early
+as possible. While CI/CD will catch these during the PR review process, you may
+wish to configure your IDE to catch these while writing.
+
+For VSCode, you can use the [markdownlint](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=DavidAnson.vscode-markdownlint)
+plugin, which will automatically detect and apply the pre-made rules in
+`.markdownlint.json`. This plugin also comes with auto-fix functionality, see
+the plugin documentation for more information.
 
 ## Build and preview the docs locally
 
diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 946b3657e9..52861e154b 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ FROM gem AS mdl-base
 ARG MDL_JSON
 ARG MDL_STYLE
 RUN --mount=type=bind,target=. <<EOF
-  mdl --ignore-front-matter ${MDL_JSON:+'--json'} --style=${MDL_STYLE:-'.mdlrc.style.rb'} $( \
+  mdl --ignore-front-matter ${MDL_JSON:+'--json'} --style=${MDL_STYLE:-'.markdownlint.rb'} $( \
     find '.' -name '*.md' \
       -not -path './registry/*' \
       -not -path './desktop/extensions-sdk/*' \