> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ruler.nl/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ruler.nl/signalling/linking-items.md).

# Linking an item to the Legal Framework

Turn a relevant news item into an Inbox alert for the right department by linking it to a topic.

Once you have decided that a news item is relevant, link it to the topic it concerns. This does two things: the item becomes part of the topic's record, and it is sent as an internal alert to the department responsible for that topic.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Mark the item as relevant

On the Signalling page or the item page, click **Relevant**. A pop-up opens with the item's title and source, and fields for **Topics**, **Department** and a **Note**.

<figure><img src="https://3147355061-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6EN6kULBhEjCcyc8iw1L%2Fuploads%2FCYJZYlIczHsq8jT5n2y1%2Fsignaling-relevant-popup.png?alt=media&amp;token=09ed8151-5dbf-4916-b19e-522fae050664" alt=""><figcaption><p>Marking an item as relevant</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Add a topic

Click **Add topic**. Ruler may already suggest a topic: the more links your organisation has made, the better its suggestions become. Accept the suggestion or choose your own.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Find the right topic

The topic selector lists topics with their theme and profiles. Search by name or use **Filter** to narrow by **profile** (for example *Social security (HR)*) and **theme** (for example *Work and income*), then tick the topic you want.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Check the department, add a note and submit

Check the **Department** field (use **Add department** to set it) and add a note for your colleagues if useful. At the bottom of the pop-up you can tick **Send directly to inbox**, which skips the need for the receiving department to accept the alert, and **Save this setting for the department**. Click **Submit**. The item is now linked to the topic.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## What happens after you submit

Each department you linked the item to receives its own internal alert. It appears at the top of that department's [Inbox](/inbox.md), under **Internal alerts to review**. Someone in the department reviews the alert and accepts or rejects it. Once the department accepts it, the alert moves to its **New alerts**.

If you ticked **Send directly to inbox**, the departments don't have to accept the alert.