diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f0362d6..c254897 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -62,15 +62,12 @@ through the repository `features/` directory.
 
 Implemented pieces include:
 
-- feature discovery from a directory or a single `.feature` file
-- optional support script loading with `--load`
-- step definition loading from `step_definitions/*.sh` and `*.bash`
-- step matching with `{token}` placeholders
-- `Background`, `Scenario`, `Given` / `When` / `Then`, `And` / `But`, and `*`
-- doc strings via Gherkin-style `"""` blocks exposed as `DOC_STRING`
-- data tables exposed as `TABLE_HEADER` and `TABLE_ROWS` arrays
-- `Scenario Outline` expansion from one `Examples` table
-- colored terminal output and scenario summary
+- feature discovery, validation, filtering, and scenario selection
+- English Gherkin features, rules, backgrounds, scenarios, and outlines
+- steps, tags, comments, doc strings, and data tables
+- step definitions with named placeholders and lifecycle hooks
+- optional support script loading
+- fail-fast execution, deferred cleanup, and scenario summaries
 
 ### Gherkin Feature Support
 
@@ -78,8 +75,11 @@ Implemented pieces include:
 |:------------------------------|:------------|
 | `Feature`                     | Supported   |
 | Feature description text      | Supported   |
-| `Scenario`                    | Supported   |
+| `Rule`                        | Supported   |
 | `Background`                  | Supported   |
+| `Scenario`                    | Supported   |
+| `Scenario Outline`            | Supported   |
+| `Examples`                    | Supported   |
 | `Given`, `When`, `Then`       | Supported   |
 | `And` , `But`                 | Supported   |
 | `*` step keyword              | Supported   |
@@ -89,9 +89,10 @@ Implemented pieces include:
 | `Before`, `After` hooks       | Supported   |
 | `BeforeAll`, `AfterAll` hooks | Supported   |
 | Data tables                   | Supported   |
-| `Scenario Outline`            | Supported   |
-| `Examples`                    | Supported   |
-| `Rule`                        | Unsupported |
+
+Shellkin intentionally implements a compact English Gherkin dialect. Keyword
+aliases and localization, multiple Examples blocks, tags on Examples blocks,
+and escaped data-table cells are not currently supported.
 
 Tags can be selected with `--tag` / `-t` and skipped with `--exclude-tag` / `-x`.
 `@Before` and `@After` hooks are declared in step definition files and may be
diff --git a/doc/shellkin-feature.5 b/doc/shellkin-feature.5
index 036bc1f..bc41e15 100644
--- a/doc/shellkin-feature.5
+++ b/doc/shellkin-feature.5
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ Shellkin currently supports these Gherkin keywords:
 .IP \(bu 2
 \f[B]Background\f[R]
 .IP \(bu 2
+\f[B]Rule\f[R]
+.IP \(bu 2
 \f[B]Scenario\f[R]
 .IP \(bu 2
 \f[B]Scenario Outline\f[R], \f[B]Examples\f[R]
@@ -55,6 +57,37 @@ in the feature.
 Background:
   Given I am in a temp directory
 .EE
+.SS Rule
+Use \f[B]Rule:\f[R] to group scenarios that illustrate one business
+rule.
+Tags on a Rule are inherited by every scenario in that Rule.
+Free\-form description text may appear below the Rule header.
+.IP
+.EX
+\(atadmin
+Rule: Administrators can manage users
+  Administrators have access to user management.
+
+  Scenario: Deactivate a user
+    When I deactivate user \(aqAlice\(aq
+    Then user \(aqAlice\(aq should be inactive
+.EE
+.PP
+A Rule may have one \f[B]Background:\f[R] before its first scenario.
+Feature Background steps run first, followed by Rule Background steps.
+.IP
+.EX
+Background:
+  Given the current user is \(aqDana\(aq
+
+Rule: Administrators can manage users
+  Background:
+    Given the current role is \(aqadmin\(aq
+
+  Scenario: Deactivate a user
+    When I deactivate user \(aqAlice\(aq
+    Then user \(aqAlice\(aq should be inactive
+.EE
 .SS Scenario Outline
 Use \f[B]Scenario Outline:\f[R] with one \f[B]Examples:\f[R] table to
 run the same scenario with several values.
@@ -169,10 +202,6 @@ Given these users exist
 All rows must contain the same number of cells.
 Cell values are trimmed.
 Escaped pipe characters in cells are not currently supported.
-.SH UNSUPPORTED CONSTRUCTS
-The following common Gherkin constructs are not currently supported:
-.IP \(bu 2
-\f[B]Rule\f[R]
 .SH EXAMPLE
 .IP
 .EX
diff --git a/doc/shellkin-feature.md b/doc/shellkin-feature.md
index 951e3a0..691b945 100644
--- a/doc/shellkin-feature.md
+++ b/doc/shellkin-feature.md
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ Shellkin currently supports these Gherkin keywords:
 
 - **Feature**
 - **Background**
+- **Rule**
 - **Scenario**
 - **Scenario Outline**, **Examples**
 - **Given**, **When**, **Then**
@@ -73,6 +74,39 @@ Background:
   Given I am in a temp directory
 ```
 
+Rule
+--------------------------------------------------
+
+Use **Rule:** to group scenarios that illustrate one business rule. Tags on a
+Rule are inherited by every scenario in that Rule. Free-form description text
+may appear below the Rule header.
+
+```gherkin
+@admin
+Rule: Administrators can manage users
+  Administrators have access to user management.
+
+  Scenario: Deactivate a user
+    When I deactivate user 'Alice'
+    Then user 'Alice' should be inactive
+```
+
+A Rule may have one **Background:** before its first scenario. Feature
+Background steps run first, followed by Rule Background steps.
+
+```gherkin
+Background:
+  Given the current user is 'Dana'
+
+Rule: Administrators can manage users
+  Background:
+    Given the current role is 'admin'
+
+  Scenario: Deactivate a user
+    When I deactivate user 'Alice'
+    Then user 'Alice' should be inactive
+```
+
 Scenario Outline
 --------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -196,13 +230,6 @@ Given these users exist
 All rows must contain the same number of cells. Cell values are trimmed.
 Escaped pipe characters in cells are not currently supported.
 
-UNSUPPORTED CONSTRUCTS
-==================================================
-
-The following common Gherkin constructs are not currently supported:
-
-- **Rule**
-
 EXAMPLE
 ==================================================
 
diff --git a/features/fixtures/rules/rules.feature b/features/fixtures/rules/rules.feature
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a2e5ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/features/fixtures/rules/rules.feature
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+@access
+Feature: rules
+  Group examples by business rule
+
+Background:
+  Given the current user is 'Dana'
+
+@elevated
+Rule: Elevated roles can access protected areas
+  These roles have broader access.
+
+  Background:
+    Given the current role is 'admin'
+
+  Scenario Outline: Accessing <area>
+    Then the user should have access to '<area>'
+
+  Examples:
+    | area     |
+    | settings |
+    | reports  |
+
+@standard
+Rule: Standard roles cannot access protected areas
+
+  Background:
+    Given the current role is 'member'
+
+  Scenario: Accessing settings
+    Then the user should not have access to 'settings'
diff --git a/features/fixtures/rules/step_definitions/core.sh b/features/fixtures/rules/step_definitions/core.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..64441a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/features/fixtures/rules/step_definitions/core.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+@Given the current user is '{name}'
+  CURRENT_USER=$name
+
+@Given the current role is '{role}'
+  CURRENT_ROLE=$role
+
+@Then the user should have access to '{area}'
+  [[ $CURRENT_USER == Dana ]]
+  [[ $CURRENT_ROLE == admin ]]
+  [[ $area == settings || $area == reports ]]
+
+@Then the user should not have access to '{area}'
+  [[ $CURRENT_USER == Dana ]]
+  [[ $CURRENT_ROLE == member ]]
+  [[ $area == settings ]]
diff --git a/features/test.feature b/features/test.feature
index 4198217..4f5dcee 100644
--- a/features/test.feature
+++ b/features/test.feature
@@ -43,6 +43,22 @@ Scenario: Selecting one expanded scenario outline row
   And the output should include '1 scenario, 0 failing'
   And the exit code should mean success
 
+Scenario: Running scenarios grouped by Rules
+  When I run 'shellkin features/fixtures/rules'
+  Then the output should include 'Feature: rules'
+  And the output should include 'Scenario 1: Accessing settings'
+  And the output should include 'Scenario 2: Accessing reports'
+  And the output should include 'Scenario 3: Accessing settings'
+  And the output should include '3 scenarios, 0 failing'
+  And the exit code should mean success
+
+Scenario: Filtering scenarios by a Rule tag
+  When I run 'shellkin --tag @standard features/fixtures/rules'
+  Then the output should include 'Scenario 3: Accessing settings'
+  And the output should not include 'Scenario 1: Accessing settings'
+  And the output should include '1 scenario, 0 failing'
+  And the exit code should mean success
+
 Scenario: Running a failing test
   When I run 'shellkin features/fixtures/selective/failing.feature'
   Then the output should include 'Feature: two'
diff --git a/shellkin b/shellkin
index 802dbbc..427e6a7 100755
--- a/shellkin
+++ b/shellkin
@@ -819,6 +819,13 @@ feature_parse() {
   local line_number=0
   local section=
   local feature_seen=0
+  local feature_background_seen=0
+  local feature_scenario_seen=0
+  local rule_seen=0
+  local rule_background_seen=0
+  local rule_scenario_seen=0
+  local rule_line=0
+  local rule_name=
   local scenario_seen=0
   local scenario_outline=0
   local scenario_line=0
@@ -834,11 +841,14 @@ feature_parse() {
   local pending_tags_line=0
   local pending_tags_context=
   local -a feature_tags=()
+  local -a rule_tags=()
   local -a pending_tags=()
   local -a parsed_tags=()
   local -a scenario_tags=()
   local -a background_steps=()
   local -a background_step_lines=()
+  local -a feature_background_steps=()
+  local -a feature_background_step_lines=()
   local -a scenario_steps=()
   local -a scenario_step_lines=()
   local -a example_rows=()
@@ -934,8 +944,45 @@ feature_parse() {
         fi
         continue
         ;;
+      rule)
+        if ((feature_seen == 0)); then
+          feature_validation_set_error "$line_number" "Rule must appear after Feature" "$(trim "$line")"
+          failed=1
+          break
+        fi
+        if ((scenario_seen != 0)); then
+          feature__parsed_scenario_finish "$scenario_outline" "$scenario_line" "$examples_line" feature_tags scenario_tags background_steps background_step_lines scenario_steps scenario_step_lines example_rows example_row_lines || {
+            failed=1
+            break
+          }
+          scenario_seen=0
+        fi
+        if ((rule_seen != 0 && rule_scenario_seen == 0)); then
+          feature_validation_set_error "$rule_line" "Rule must contain at least one Scenario" "Rule: $rule_name"
+          failed=1
+          break
+        fi
+        if ((rule_seen == 0)); then
+          feature_background_steps=("${background_steps[@]}")
+          feature_background_step_lines=("${background_step_lines[@]}")
+        fi
+        background_steps=("${feature_background_steps[@]}")
+        background_step_lines=("${feature_background_step_lines[@]}")
+        rule_seen=1
+        rule_background_seen=0
+        rule_scenario_seen=0
+        rule_line=$line_number
+        rule_name=$FEATURE_LINE_NAME
+        rule_tags=("${pending_tags[@]}")
+        pending_tags=()
+        pending_tags_line=0
+        pending_tags_context=
+        section=rule
+        in_description=1
+        continue
+        ;;
       background)
-        if ((feature_seen == 0 || scenario_seen != 0)); then
+        if ((feature_seen == 0)); then
           feature_validation_set_error "$line_number" "Background must appear after Feature and before the first Scenario" "$(trim "$line")"
           failed=1
           break
@@ -945,6 +992,21 @@ feature_parse() {
           failed=1
           break
         fi
+        if ((rule_seen != 0)); then
+          if ((scenario_seen != 0 || rule_scenario_seen != 0 || rule_background_seen != 0)); then
+            feature_validation_set_error "$line_number" "Rule Background must appear before the first Scenario and only once" "$(trim "$line")"
+            failed=1
+            break
+          fi
+          rule_background_seen=1
+        else
+          if ((scenario_seen != 0 || feature_scenario_seen != 0 || feature_background_seen != 0)); then
+            feature_validation_set_error "$line_number" "Background must appear after Feature and before the first Scenario" "$(trim "$line")"
+            failed=1
+            break
+          fi
+          feature_background_seen=1
+        fi
         section=background
         in_description=0
         continue
@@ -970,10 +1032,15 @@ feature_parse() {
         scenario_line=$line_number
         examples_seen=0
         examples_line=0
+        if ((rule_seen != 0)); then
+          rule_scenario_seen=1
+        else
+          feature_scenario_seen=1
+        fi
         section=scenario
         in_description=0
         FEATURE_SCENARIO_NAME=$FEATURE_LINE_NAME
-        scenario_tags=("${pending_tags[@]}")
+        scenario_tags=("${rule_tags[@]}" "${pending_tags[@]}")
         pending_tags=()
         pending_tags_line=0
         pending_tags_context=
@@ -1034,7 +1101,7 @@ feature_parse() {
         continue
         ;;
       other)
-        if [[ $section == feature && $in_description == 1 ]]; then
+        if [[ $section == feature || $section == rule ]] && ((in_description == 1)); then
           continue
         fi
         feature_validation_set_error "$line_number" "invalid feature syntax" "$FEATURE_LINE_NAME"
@@ -1059,6 +1126,11 @@ feature_parse() {
     feature__parsed_scenario_finish "$scenario_outline" "$scenario_line" "$examples_line" feature_tags scenario_tags background_steps background_step_lines scenario_steps scenario_step_lines example_rows example_row_lines || failed=1
   fi
 
+  if ((failed == 0 && rule_seen != 0 && rule_scenario_seen == 0)); then
+    feature_validation_set_error "$rule_line" "Rule must contain at least one Scenario" "Rule: $rule_name"
+    failed=1
+  fi
+
   return "$failed"
 }
 
@@ -1232,6 +1304,12 @@ feature_line_parse() {
     return 0
   fi
 
+  if [[ $line =~ ^Rule:[[:space:]]*(.*)$ ]]; then
+    FEATURE_LINE_KIND=rule
+    FEATURE_LINE_NAME=${BASH_REMATCH[1]}
+    return 0
+  fi
+
   if [[ $line =~ ^Scenario:[[:space:]]*(.*)$ ]]; then
     FEATURE_LINE_KIND=scenario
     FEATURE_LINE_NAME=${BASH_REMATCH[1]}
diff --git a/src/lib/feature/parse.sh b/src/lib/feature/parse.sh
index 0817f52..c22ec23 100644
--- a/src/lib/feature/parse.sh
+++ b/src/lib/feature/parse.sh
@@ -5,6 +5,13 @@ feature_parse() {
   local line_number=0
   local section=
   local feature_seen=0
+  local feature_background_seen=0
+  local feature_scenario_seen=0
+  local rule_seen=0
+  local rule_background_seen=0
+  local rule_scenario_seen=0
+  local rule_line=0
+  local rule_name=
   local scenario_seen=0
   local scenario_outline=0
   local scenario_line=0
@@ -20,11 +27,14 @@ feature_parse() {
   local pending_tags_line=0
   local pending_tags_context=
   local -a feature_tags=()
+  local -a rule_tags=()
   local -a pending_tags=()
   local -a parsed_tags=()
   local -a scenario_tags=()
   local -a background_steps=()
   local -a background_step_lines=()
+  local -a feature_background_steps=()
+  local -a feature_background_step_lines=()
   local -a scenario_steps=()
   local -a scenario_step_lines=()
   local -a example_rows=()
@@ -120,8 +130,45 @@ feature_parse() {
         fi
         continue
         ;;
+      rule)
+        if ((feature_seen == 0)); then
+          feature_validation_set_error "$line_number" "Rule must appear after Feature" "$(trim "$line")"
+          failed=1
+          break
+        fi
+        if ((scenario_seen != 0)); then
+          feature__parsed_scenario_finish "$scenario_outline" "$scenario_line" "$examples_line" feature_tags scenario_tags background_steps background_step_lines scenario_steps scenario_step_lines example_rows example_row_lines || {
+            failed=1
+            break
+          }
+          scenario_seen=0
+        fi
+        if ((rule_seen != 0 && rule_scenario_seen == 0)); then
+          feature_validation_set_error "$rule_line" "Rule must contain at least one Scenario" "Rule: $rule_name"
+          failed=1
+          break
+        fi
+        if ((rule_seen == 0)); then
+          feature_background_steps=("${background_steps[@]}")
+          feature_background_step_lines=("${background_step_lines[@]}")
+        fi
+        background_steps=("${feature_background_steps[@]}")
+        background_step_lines=("${feature_background_step_lines[@]}")
+        rule_seen=1
+        rule_background_seen=0
+        rule_scenario_seen=0
+        rule_line=$line_number
+        rule_name=$FEATURE_LINE_NAME
+        rule_tags=("${pending_tags[@]}")
+        pending_tags=()
+        pending_tags_line=0
+        pending_tags_context=
+        section=rule
+        in_description=1
+        continue
+        ;;
       background)
-        if ((feature_seen == 0 || scenario_seen != 0)); then
+        if ((feature_seen == 0)); then
           feature_validation_set_error "$line_number" "Background must appear after Feature and before the first Scenario" "$(trim "$line")"
           failed=1
           break
@@ -131,6 +178,21 @@ feature_parse() {
           failed=1
           break
         fi
+        if ((rule_seen != 0)); then
+          if ((scenario_seen != 0 || rule_scenario_seen != 0 || rule_background_seen != 0)); then
+            feature_validation_set_error "$line_number" "Rule Background must appear before the first Scenario and only once" "$(trim "$line")"
+            failed=1
+            break
+          fi
+          rule_background_seen=1
+        else
+          if ((scenario_seen != 0 || feature_scenario_seen != 0 || feature_background_seen != 0)); then
+            feature_validation_set_error "$line_number" "Background must appear after Feature and before the first Scenario" "$(trim "$line")"
+            failed=1
+            break
+          fi
+          feature_background_seen=1
+        fi
         section=background
         in_description=0
         continue
@@ -156,10 +218,15 @@ feature_parse() {
         scenario_line=$line_number
         examples_seen=0
         examples_line=0
+        if ((rule_seen != 0)); then
+          rule_scenario_seen=1
+        else
+          feature_scenario_seen=1
+        fi
         section=scenario
         in_description=0
         FEATURE_SCENARIO_NAME=$FEATURE_LINE_NAME
-        scenario_tags=("${pending_tags[@]}")
+        scenario_tags=("${rule_tags[@]}" "${pending_tags[@]}")
         pending_tags=()
         pending_tags_line=0
         pending_tags_context=
@@ -220,7 +287,7 @@ feature_parse() {
         continue
         ;;
       other)
-        if [[ $section == feature && $in_description == 1 ]]; then
+        if [[ $section == feature || $section == rule ]] && ((in_description == 1)); then
           continue
         fi
         feature_validation_set_error "$line_number" "invalid feature syntax" "$FEATURE_LINE_NAME"
@@ -245,6 +312,11 @@ feature_parse() {
     feature__parsed_scenario_finish "$scenario_outline" "$scenario_line" "$examples_line" feature_tags scenario_tags background_steps background_step_lines scenario_steps scenario_step_lines example_rows example_row_lines || failed=1
   fi
 
+  if ((failed == 0 && rule_seen != 0 && rule_scenario_seen == 0)); then
+    feature_validation_set_error "$rule_line" "Rule must contain at least one Scenario" "Rule: $rule_name"
+    failed=1
+  fi
+
   return "$failed"
 }
 
diff --git a/src/lib/feature/syntax.sh b/src/lib/feature/syntax.sh
index ea7568e..984584f 100644
--- a/src/lib/feature/syntax.sh
+++ b/src/lib/feature/syntax.sh
@@ -32,6 +32,12 @@ feature_line_parse() {
     return 0
   fi
 
+  if [[ $line =~ ^Rule:[[:space:]]*(.*)$ ]]; then
+    FEATURE_LINE_KIND=rule
+    FEATURE_LINE_NAME=${BASH_REMATCH[1]}
+    return 0
+  fi
+
   if [[ $line =~ ^Scenario:[[:space:]]*(.*)$ ]]; then
     FEATURE_LINE_KIND=scenario
     FEATURE_LINE_NAME=${BASH_REMATCH[1]}
diff --git a/test/lib/feature/parse.bats b/test/lib/feature/parse.bats
index 21b1ea3..f15e197 100644
--- a/test/lib/feature/parse.bats
+++ b/test/lib/feature/parse.bats
@@ -212,3 +212,83 @@ EOF
   [ "$status" -eq 1 ]
   [ "$FEATURE_VALIDATION_MESSAGE" = "Examples must appear once after a Scenario Outline" ]
 }
+
+@test "feature_parse applies Rule tags and Background only within its Rule" {
+  write_file test.feature <<'EOF'
+@feature
+Feature: Rules
+
+Background:
+  Given feature setup
+
+@first-rule
+Rule: First rule
+  A useful description
+
+  Background:
+    Given first rule setup
+
+  @first-scenario
+  Scenario: First
+    Then first result
+
+@second-rule
+Rule: Second rule
+
+  Scenario: Second
+    Then second result
+EOF
+
+  feature_parse "$TEST_ROOT/test.feature"
+
+  [ "${FEATURE_PARSED_SCENARIO_NAMES[*]}" = "First Second" ]
+  [ "${FEATURE_PARSED_SCENARIO_TAGS[0]}" = "@feature @first-rule @first-scenario" ]
+  [ "${FEATURE_PARSED_SCENARIO_TAGS[1]}" = "@feature @second-rule" ]
+  [ "${FEATURE_PARSED_SCENARIO_STEP_COUNTS[*]}" = "3 2" ]
+  [ "${FEATURE_PARSED_STEPS[0]}" = $'Given\tfeature setup' ]
+  [ "${FEATURE_PARSED_STEPS[1]}" = $'Given\tfirst rule setup' ]
+  [ "${FEATURE_PARSED_STEPS[2]}" = $'Then\tfirst result' ]
+  [ "${FEATURE_PARSED_STEPS[3]}" = $'Given\tfeature setup' ]
+  [ "${FEATURE_PARSED_STEPS[4]}" = $'Then\tsecond result' ]
+}
+
+@test "feature_parse rejects a Rule without scenarios" {
+  write_file test.feature <<'EOF'
+Feature: Rules
+
+Rule: Empty rule
+  A description without scenarios
+EOF
+
+  if feature_parse "$TEST_ROOT/test.feature"; then
+    status=0
+  else
+    status=$?
+  fi
+
+  [ "$status" -eq 1 ]
+  [ "$FEATURE_VALIDATION_MESSAGE" = "Rule must contain at least one Scenario" ]
+}
+
+@test "feature_parse rejects a second Background in one Rule" {
+  write_file test.feature <<'EOF'
+Feature: Rules
+
+Rule: One rule
+  Background:
+    Given first setup
+  Background:
+    Given second setup
+  Scenario: Example
+    Then result
+EOF
+
+  if feature_parse "$TEST_ROOT/test.feature"; then
+    status=0
+  else
+    status=$?
+  fi
+
+  [ "$status" -eq 1 ]
+  [ "$FEATURE_VALIDATION_MESSAGE" = "Rule Background must appear before the first Scenario and only once" ]
+}
diff --git a/test/lib/feature/syntax.bats b/test/lib/feature/syntax.bats
index e097fab..0803b15 100644
--- a/test/lib/feature/syntax.bats
+++ b/test/lib/feature/syntax.bats
@@ -32,6 +32,13 @@ teardown() {
   [ "$FEATURE_LINE_NAME" = "Create a file" ]
 }
 
+@test "feature_line_parse recognizes a rule header" {
+  feature_line_parse "Rule: Administrators can manage users"
+
+  [ "$FEATURE_LINE_KIND" = rule ]
+  [ "$FEATURE_LINE_NAME" = "Administrators can manage users" ]
+}
+
 @test "feature_line_parse recognizes a scenario outline header" {
   feature_line_parse "Scenario Outline: Create a <role>"