This essay is in development. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. Essays may represent widespread norms or minority viewpoints. Consider these views with discretion, especially since this page is still under construction.

One of the most important policies on Wikipedia is Ignore all rules (IAR). The entire text of that policy is included below:

This means that even if some of the policies and guidelines are preventing you from improving Wikipedia, go ahead, ignore them and make your improvement. The key phrase here is improving or maintaining, as if that wasn’t there, you wouldn’t probably be improving or maintaining Wikipedia under IAR.

For example, WP:BITE is a behavioral guideline, which should probably be followed. However, there are occasional exceptions (IAR). This doesn’t mean that you can use IAR as a way to WP:BITE every newcomer that exists, that should be discouraged. This is why you should use common sense before using occasional exceptions. Similarly, IAR is not a Get Out of Jail Free card.