diff --git a/docs/cookbook/attribute-matches-type.md b/docs/cookbook/attribute-matches-type.md
index e588835..2c06070 100644
--- a/docs/cookbook/attribute-matches-type.md
+++ b/docs/cookbook/attribute-matches-type.md
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ When an attribute holds a repository, service, or other typed object, keeping th
 ```yaml
 rules:
   - name: attribute-matches-type
+    description: Attribute names must match their type annotation in snake_case
     type: variable
     filter: { target: attribute }
     naming: { source: type_annotation, transform: snake_case }
@@ -46,7 +47,8 @@ The `{prefix}_{expected}` form is also allowed. For example, `source_object_cont
 ```
 $ pnl check
 contexts/billing/domain/service.py:5
-    [attribute-matches-type] repo (expected: subscription_repository)
+    [attribute-matches-type] Attribute names must match their type annotation in snake_case
+    repo (expected: subscription_repository)
 
 Found 1 violation(s).
 ```
diff --git a/docs/cookbook/bool-method-prefix.md b/docs/cookbook/bool-method-prefix.md
index db79aa2..2507fdc 100644
--- a/docs/cookbook/bool-method-prefix.md
+++ b/docs/cookbook/bool-method-prefix.md
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ Functions that return `bool` are easier to read at call sites when their names r
 ```yaml
 rules:
   - name: bool-method-prefix
+    description: Bool-returning functions must start with is_, has_, or should_
     type: function
     filter: { return_type: bool }
     naming: { prefix: [is_, has_, should_] }
@@ -44,7 +45,8 @@ class SubscriptionService:
 ```
 $ pnl check
 src/domain/service.py:4
-    [bool-method-prefix] validate (expected prefix: is_ | has_ | should_)
+    [bool-method-prefix] Bool-returning functions must start with is_, has_, or should_
+    validate (expected prefix: is_ | has_ | should_)
 
 Found 1 violation(s).
 ```
diff --git a/docs/cookbook/constant-upper-case.md b/docs/cookbook/constant-upper-case.md
index 5feb932..dceb038 100644
--- a/docs/cookbook/constant-upper-case.md
+++ b/docs/cookbook/constant-upper-case.md
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ Module-level constants are easier to distinguish from regular variables when the
 ```yaml
 rules:
   - name: constant-upper-case
+    description: Module-level constants must use UPPER_CASE
     type: variable
     filter: { target: constant }
     naming: { case: UPPER_CASE }
@@ -42,10 +43,12 @@ DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 30
 ```
 $ pnl check
 src/config.py:3
-    [constant-upper-case] max_retry_count (expected case: UPPER_CASE)
+    [constant-upper-case] Module-level constants must use UPPER_CASE
+    max_retry_count (expected case: UPPER_CASE)
 
 src/config.py:4
-    [constant-upper-case] default_timeout_seconds (expected case: UPPER_CASE)
+    [constant-upper-case] Module-level constants must use UPPER_CASE
+    default_timeout_seconds (expected case: UPPER_CASE)
 
 Found 2 violation(s).
 ```
diff --git a/docs/cookbook/decorator-filtering.md b/docs/cookbook/decorator-filtering.md
index a3f20a5..02dcddd 100644
--- a/docs/cookbook/decorator-filtering.md
+++ b/docs/cookbook/decorator-filtering.md
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ Some naming conventions only apply to a specific kind of function or class. Deco
 ```yaml
 rules:
   - name: static-factory-prefix
+    description: Static factory methods must start with create_ or build_
     type: function
     filter: { decorator: staticmethod }
     naming: { prefix: [create_, build_] }
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ apply:
 ```yaml
 rules:
   - name: dataclass-naming
+    description: Dataclass names must end with Data or Config
     type: class
     filter: { decorator: dataclass }
     naming: { suffix: [Data, Config] }
@@ -75,10 +77,12 @@ class OrderData:
 ```
 $ pnl check
 src/domain/order.py:5
-    [static-factory-prefix] from_dict (expected prefix: create_ | build_)
+    [static-factory-prefix] Static factory methods must start with create_ or build_
+    from_dict (expected prefix: create_ | build_)
 
 src/domain/order.py:9
-    [dataclass-naming] OrderPayload (expected suffix: Data | Config)
+    [dataclass-naming] Dataclass names must end with Data or Config
+    OrderPayload (expected suffix: Data | Config)
 
 Found 2 violation(s).
 ```
diff --git a/docs/cookbook/exception-naming.md b/docs/cookbook/exception-naming.md
index 0d4ad18..9a52b3f 100644
--- a/docs/cookbook/exception-naming.md
+++ b/docs/cookbook/exception-naming.md
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ Consistent exception names make error handling code easier to scan and understan
 ```yaml
 rules:
   - name: exception-naming
+    description: "Exception classes must follow the <Noun><Reason>Error pattern"
     type: class
     filter: { base_class: Exception }
     naming: { regex: "^[A-Z][a-zA-Z]+(NotFound|Invalid|Denied|Conflict|Failed)Error$" }
@@ -42,7 +43,8 @@ class FilterNotFoundError(Exception):
 ```
 $ pnl check
 src/domain/exceptions.py:3
-    [exception-naming] FilterError (expected pattern: ^[A-Z][a-zA-Z]+(NotFound|Invalid|...)Error$)
+    [exception-naming] Exception classes must follow the <Noun><Reason>Error pattern
+    FilterError (expected pattern: ^[A-Z][a-zA-Z]+(NotFound|Invalid|...)Error$)
 
 Found 1 violation(s).
 ```
diff --git a/docs/cookbook/layer-based-rules.md b/docs/cookbook/layer-based-rules.md
index ccb7432..22137fa 100644
--- a/docs/cookbook/layer-based-rules.md
+++ b/docs/cookbook/layer-based-rules.md
@@ -9,25 +9,30 @@ Real projects have distinct layers — domain, infrastructure, API — each with
 ```yaml
 rules:
   - name: attribute-matches-type
+    description: Attribute names must match their type annotation in snake_case
     type: variable
     filter: { target: attribute }
     naming: { source: type_annotation, transform: snake_case }
 
   - name: bool-method-prefix
+    description: Bool-returning functions must start with is_, has_, or should_
     type: function
     filter: { return_type: bool }
     naming: { prefix: [is_, has_, should_] }
 
   - name: domain-module-naming
+    description: Module filename must match the primary class name in snake_case
     type: module
     naming: { source: class_name, transform: snake_case }
 
   - name: constant-upper-case
+    description: Module-level constants must use UPPER_CASE
     type: variable
     filter: { target: constant }
     naming: { case: UPPER_CASE }
 
   - name: exception-naming
+    description: "Exception classes must follow the <Noun><Reason>Error pattern"
     type: class
     filter: { base_class: Exception }
     naming: { regex: "^[A-Z][a-zA-Z]+(NotFound|Invalid|Denied|Conflict|Failed)Error$" }
@@ -91,13 +96,16 @@ class BillingNotFoundError(Exception):
 ```
 $ pnl check
 contexts/billing/domain/service.py:3
-    [constant-upper-case] max_retry (expected case: UPPER_CASE)
+    [constant-upper-case] Module-level constants must use UPPER_CASE
+    max_retry (expected case: UPPER_CASE)
 
 contexts/billing/domain/service.py:6
-    [bool-method-prefix] validate (expected prefix: is_ | has_ | should_)
+    [bool-method-prefix] Bool-returning functions must start with is_, has_, or should_
+    validate (expected prefix: is_ | has_ | should_)
 
 contexts/billing/domain/exceptions.py:3
-    [exception-naming] BillingError (expected pattern: ^[A-Z][a-zA-Z]+(NotFound|Invalid|...)Error$)
+    [exception-naming] Exception classes must follow the <Noun><Reason>Error pattern
+    BillingError (expected pattern: ^[A-Z][a-zA-Z]+(NotFound|Invalid|...)Error$)
 
 Found 3 violation(s).
 ```
diff --git a/docs/cookbook/module-matches-class.md b/docs/cookbook/module-matches-class.md
index bda62b2..f7c6e8c 100644
--- a/docs/cookbook/module-matches-class.md
+++ b/docs/cookbook/module-matches-class.md
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ When each module contains one primary class, keeping the filename in sync with t
 ```yaml
 rules:
   - name: domain-module-naming
+    description: Module filename must match the primary class name in snake_case
     type: module
     naming: { source: class_name, transform: snake_case }
 
@@ -41,7 +42,8 @@ class CustomObject:
 ```
 $ pnl check
 contexts/catalog/domain/custom.py:1
-    [domain-module-naming] custom (expected: custom_object)
+    [domain-module-naming] Module filename must match the primary class name in snake_case
+    custom (expected: custom_object)
 
 Found 1 violation(s).
 ```
diff --git a/docs/getting-started/quick-start.md b/docs/getting-started/quick-start.md
index 8bf9501..2095fb2 100644
--- a/docs/getting-started/quick-start.md
+++ b/docs/getting-started/quick-start.md
@@ -9,11 +9,13 @@ Create `.python-naming-linter.yaml` in your project root and define your naming
 ```yaml
 rules:
   - name: bool-method-prefix
+    description: Bool-returning functions must start with is_, has_, or should_
     type: function
     filter: { return_type: bool }
     naming: { prefix: [is_, has_, should_] }
 
   - name: exception-naming
+    description: "Exception classes must follow the <Noun><Reason>Error pattern"
     type: class
     filter: { base_class: Exception }
     naming: { regex: "^[A-Z][a-zA-Z]+(NotFound|Invalid|Denied|Conflict|Failed)Error$" }
@@ -43,14 +45,16 @@ pnl check
 
 ## Step 3: Review the Output
 
-Violations are reported with the file path, line number, rule name, and what was expected:
+Violations are reported with the file path, line number, rule name, description, and what was expected:
 
 ```
 src/domain/service.py:12
-    [bool-method-prefix] validate (expected prefix: is_ | has_ | should_)
+    [bool-method-prefix] Bool-returning functions must start with is_, has_, or should_
+    validate (expected prefix: is_ | has_ | should_)
 
 src/domain/exceptions.py:8
-    [exception-naming] FilterError (expected pattern: ^[A-Z][a-zA-Z]+(NotFound|Invalid|...)Error$)
+    [exception-naming] Exception classes must follow the <Noun><Reason>Error pattern
+    FilterError (expected pattern: ^[A-Z][a-zA-Z]+(NotFound|Invalid|...)Error$)
 
 Found 2 violation(s).
 ```
diff --git a/docs/guide/rules.md b/docs/guide/rules.md
index 029cf45..8fc4d62 100644
--- a/docs/guide/rules.md
+++ b/docs/guide/rules.md
@@ -4,11 +4,12 @@ Rules are the core building blocks of `pnl`. Each rule targets a specific kind o
 
 ## Structure
 
-Every rule has three required fields and two optional ones:
+Every rule has three required fields and three optional ones:
 
 ```yaml
 rules:
   - name: my-rule          # Unique identifier for this rule
+    description: ...       # (optional) Human-readable description shown in violation output
     type: variable         # What kind of name to lint
     filter: { ... }        # (optional) Narrow which names are checked
     naming: { ... }        # How the name must be formed
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@ The `name` is used to reference the rule in `apply` blocks and in `# pnl: ignore
 | Field | Required | Description |
 |-------|----------|-------------|
 | `name` | Yes | Unique identifier, referenced in `apply` and `# pnl: ignore` |
+| `description` | No | Human-readable description shown in violation output |
 | `type` | Yes | What kind of name to lint (`variable`, `function`, `class`, `module`, `package`) |
 | `filter` | No | Narrow which names are checked (see [Filters](#filters) below) |
 | `naming` | Yes | How the name must be formed (see [Naming Constraints](#naming-constraints) below) |
@@ -916,6 +918,7 @@ apply:
 | Field | Required | Description |
 |-------|----------|-------------|
 | `name` | Yes | Unique identifier, referenced in `apply` and `# pnl: ignore` |
+| `description` | No | Human-readable description shown in violation output |
 | `type` | Yes | What kind of name to lint (`variable`, `function`, `class`, `module`, `package`) |
 | `filter` | No | Narrow which names are checked |
 | `naming` | Yes | How the name must be formed |
diff --git a/docs/index.md b/docs/index.md
index ca3fe50..cf00734 100644
--- a/docs/index.md
+++ b/docs/index.md
@@ -34,11 +34,13 @@ pip install python-naming-linter
 ```yaml
 rules:
   - name: bool-method-prefix
+    description: Bool-returning functions must start with is_, has_, or should_
     type: function
     filter: { return_type: bool }
     naming: { prefix: [is_, has_, should_] }
 
   - name: exception-naming
+    description: "Exception classes must follow the <Noun><Reason>Error pattern"
     type: class
     filter: { base_class: Exception }
     naming: { regex: "^[A-Z][a-zA-Z]+(NotFound|Invalid|Denied|Conflict|Failed)Error$" }
@@ -59,10 +61,12 @@ pnl check
 
 ```
 src/domain/service.py:12
-    [bool-method-prefix] validate (expected prefix: is_ | has_ | should_)
+    [bool-method-prefix] Bool-returning functions must start with is_, has_, or should_
+    validate (expected prefix: is_ | has_ | should_)
 
 src/domain/exceptions.py:8
-    [exception-naming] FilterError (expected pattern: ^[A-Z][a-zA-Z]+(NotFound|Invalid|...)Error$)
+    [exception-naming] Exception classes must follow the <Noun><Reason>Error pattern
+    FilterError (expected pattern: ^[A-Z][a-zA-Z]+(NotFound|Invalid|...)Error$)
 
 Found 2 violation(s).
 ```
diff --git a/python_naming_linter/checkers/__init__.py b/python_naming_linter/checkers/__init__.py
index 55a67f3..e6c7665 100644
--- a/python_naming_linter/checkers/__init__.py
+++ b/python_naming_linter/checkers/__init__.py
@@ -10,3 +10,4 @@ class Violation:
     lineno: int
     name: str
     message: str
+    rule_description: str | None = None
diff --git a/python_naming_linter/checkers/class_.py b/python_naming_linter/checkers/class_.py
index e533dc2..9948562 100644
--- a/python_naming_linter/checkers/class_.py
+++ b/python_naming_linter/checkers/class_.py
@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@ def check_class(tree: ast.Module, rule: Rule, file_path: str) -> list[Violation]
                     lineno=node.lineno,
                     name=class_name,
                     message=msg,
+                    rule_description=rule.description,
                 )
             )
 
diff --git a/python_naming_linter/checkers/function.py b/python_naming_linter/checkers/function.py
index 11a2952..eb96e90 100644
--- a/python_naming_linter/checkers/function.py
+++ b/python_naming_linter/checkers/function.py
@@ -131,6 +131,7 @@ def check_function(tree: ast.Module, rule: Rule, file_path: str) -> list[Violati
                     lineno=node.lineno,
                     name=func_name,
                     message=msg,
+                    rule_description=rule.description,
                 )
             )
 
diff --git a/python_naming_linter/checkers/module.py b/python_naming_linter/checkers/module.py
index 659b8fc..790e08e 100644
--- a/python_naming_linter/checkers/module.py
+++ b/python_naming_linter/checkers/module.py
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ def check_module(tree: ast.Module, rule: Rule, file_path: str) -> list[Violation
                         lineno=0,
                         name=module_name,
                         message=msg,
+                        rule_description=rule.description,
                     )
                 )
 
@@ -63,6 +64,7 @@ def check_module(tree: ast.Module, rule: Rule, file_path: str) -> list[Violation
                     lineno=0,
                     name=module_name,
                     message=msg,
+                    rule_description=rule.description,
                 )
             )
 
@@ -86,6 +88,7 @@ def check_module(tree: ast.Module, rule: Rule, file_path: str) -> list[Violation
                     lineno=0,
                     name=module_name,
                     message=msg,
+                    rule_description=rule.description,
                 )
             )
 
diff --git a/python_naming_linter/checkers/package.py b/python_naming_linter/checkers/package.py
index 3621ee8..b0d24d2 100644
--- a/python_naming_linter/checkers/package.py
+++ b/python_naming_linter/checkers/package.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ def check_package(rule: Rule, package_name: str) -> list[Violation]:
                     lineno=0,
                     name=package_name,
                     message="expected: snake_case",
+                    rule_description=rule.description,
                 )
             )
 
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ def check_package(rule: Rule, package_name: str) -> list[Violation]:
                     lineno=0,
                     name=package_name,
                     message=f"expected pattern: {naming['regex']}",
+                    rule_description=rule.description,
                 )
             )
 
diff --git a/python_naming_linter/checkers/variable.py b/python_naming_linter/checkers/variable.py
index 4698398..3a7bd99 100644
--- a/python_naming_linter/checkers/variable.py
+++ b/python_naming_linter/checkers/variable.py
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ def check_variable(tree: ast.Module, rule: Rule, file_path: str) -> list[Violati
                     lineno=lineno,
                     name=var_name,
                     message=msg,
+                    rule_description=rule.description,
                 )
             )
     return violations
diff --git a/python_naming_linter/config.py b/python_naming_linter/config.py
index a4f0d12..2486789 100644
--- a/python_naming_linter/config.py
+++ b/python_naming_linter/config.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ class Rule:
     type: str
     naming: dict
     filter: dict = field(default_factory=dict)
+    description: str | None = None
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ def _parse_rules(rules_data: list[dict]) -> list[Rule]:
                 type=r["type"],
                 naming=r.get("naming", {}),
                 filter=r.get("filter", {}),
+                description=r.get("description"),
             )
         )
     return rules
diff --git a/python_naming_linter/reporter.py b/python_naming_linter/reporter.py
index 646ce91..159acdf 100644
--- a/python_naming_linter/reporter.py
+++ b/python_naming_linter/reporter.py
@@ -10,7 +10,11 @@ def format_violations(file_path: str, violations: list[Violation]) -> str:
     lines = []
     for v in violations:
         lines.append(f"{file_path}:{v.lineno}")
-        lines.append(f"    [{v.rule_name}] {v.name} ({v.message})")
+        if v.rule_description:
+            lines.append(f"    [{v.rule_name}] {v.rule_description}")
+        else:
+            lines.append(f"    [{v.rule_name}]")
+        lines.append(f"    {v.name} ({v.message})")
         lines.append("")
 
     return "\n".join(lines)
diff --git a/tests/test_config.py b/tests/test_config.py
index c060690..9a393b7 100644
--- a/tests/test_config.py
+++ b/tests/test_config.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ def test_load_yaml_rule_fields():
     assert rule.type == "variable"
     assert rule.filter == {"target": "attribute"}
     assert rule.naming == {"source": "type_annotation", "transform": "snake_case"}
+    assert rule.description is None
 
 
 def test_load_yaml_apply_fields():
@@ -30,6 +31,27 @@ def test_load_yaml_apply_fields():
     assert apply.modules == "contexts.*.domain"
 
 
+def test_load_yaml_rule_with_description(tmp_path):
+    config_content = """\
+rules:
+  - name: bool-method-prefix
+    description: "Bool-returning functions must use a semantic prefix"
+    type: function
+    filter: { return_type: bool }
+    naming: { prefix: [is_, has_, should_] }
+apply:
+  - name: all
+    rules: [bool-method-prefix]
+    modules: "**"
+"""
+    config_file = tmp_path / "config.yaml"
+    config_file.write_text(config_content)
+    config = load_config(config_file)
+    assert config.rules[0].description == (
+        "Bool-returning functions must use a semantic prefix"
+    )
+
+
 def test_load_yaml_with_include_exclude(tmp_path):
     config_content = """\
 include:
diff --git a/tests/test_reporter.py b/tests/test_reporter.py
index 936ef70..290124e 100644
--- a/tests/test_reporter.py
+++ b/tests/test_reporter.py
@@ -19,6 +19,44 @@ def test_format_single_violation():
     assert "subscription_repository" in output
 
 
+def test_format_violation_with_description():
+    violations = [
+        Violation(
+            rule_name="bool-method-prefix",
+            file_path="src/service.py",
+            lineno=4,
+            name="validate",
+            message="expected prefix: is_ | has_ | should_",
+            rule_description="Bool-returning functions must use a semantic prefix",
+        )
+    ]
+    output = format_violations("src/service.py", violations)
+    lines = output.strip().split("\n")
+    assert lines[0] == "src/service.py:4"
+    expected = (
+        "    [bool-method-prefix] Bool-returning functions must use a semantic prefix"
+    )
+    assert lines[1] == expected
+    assert lines[2] == "    validate (expected prefix: is_ | has_ | should_)"
+
+
+def test_format_violation_without_description():
+    violations = [
+        Violation(
+            rule_name="attr-naming",
+            file_path="src/models.py",
+            lineno=15,
+            name="repo",
+            message="expected: subscription_repository",
+        )
+    ]
+    output = format_violations("src/models.py", violations)
+    lines = output.strip().split("\n")
+    assert lines[0] == "src/models.py:15"
+    assert lines[1] == "    [attr-naming]"
+    assert lines[2] == "    repo (expected: subscription_repository)"
+
+
 def test_format_multiple_violations():
     violations = [
         Violation("r1", "f.py", 1, "a", "msg1"),