diff --git a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/lint.py b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/lint.py
index 3d2796a2927e..d5535022f61e 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/lint.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/lint.py
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ def lint_tool_source_with_modules(lint_context: LintContext, tool_source, linter
 
     for module in linter_modules:
         module_name = module.__name__.split(".")[-1]
-        lint_tool_types = getattr(module, "lint_tool_types", ["default", "manage_data"])
+        lint_tool_types = getattr(module, "lint_tool_types", ["default", "manage_data", "expression"])
         if not ("*" in lint_tool_types or tool_type in lint_tool_types):
             continue
 
diff --git a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/linters/_util.py b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/linters/_util.py
index 84ee89d1d981..7cc354577e3e 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/linters/_util.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/linters/_util.py
@@ -1,5 +1,60 @@
 import re
 
+from Cheetah.Compiler import Compiler
+from Cheetah.Template import Template
+
+from galaxy.util import unicodify
+
+
+def get_code(tool_xml):
+    """get code used in the Galaxy tool"""
+    # get code from command and configfiles
+    code = ""
+    for tag in [".//command", ".//configfile"]:
+        for cn in tool_xml.findall(tag):
+            code += cn.text
+    # TODO not sure about this line, I get UnicodeError for some tools otherwise (trinity)
+    code = "#encoding utf-8\n" + code
+    code = Template.compile(source=code, compilerClass=Compiler, returnAClass=False)
+    code = unicodify(code)
+
+    expression_nodes = tool_xml.findall(".//expression")
+    expression = ""
+    if len(expression_nodes) > 0:
+        expression = expression_nodes[0].text
+
+    # template macros
+    # note: not necessary (& possible) for macro tokens which are expanded
+    # during loading the xml (and removed from the macros tag)
+    templatecode = ""
+    for cn in tool_xml.findall('.//macros/macro[@type="template"]'):
+        templatecode += cn.text
+    templatecode = "#encoding utf-8\n" + templatecode
+    templatecode = Template.compile(source=templatecode, compilerClass=Compiler, returnAClass=False)
+    templatecode = unicodify(templatecode)
+
+    # get code from output filters (which use variables wo $)
+    filtercode = ""
+    for cn in tool_xml.findall("./outputs/*/filter"):
+        filtercode += cn.text + "\n"
+
+    # get output labels which might contain code (which use variables like ${var})
+    labelcode = ""
+    for cn in tool_xml.findall("./outputs/*[@label]"):
+        labelcode += cn.attrib["label"] + "\n"
+
+    actioncode = ""
+    for cn in tool_xml.findall("./outputs//conditional[@name]"):
+        actioncode += cn.attrib["name"] + "\n"
+    for cn in tool_xml.findall('./outputs//action/option[@type="from_param"]'):
+        actioncode += cn.attrib.get("name", "") + "\n"
+    for cn in tool_xml.findall("./outputs//action/option/filter[@ref]"):
+        actioncode += cn.attrib["ref"] + "\n"
+    for cn in tool_xml.findall("./outputs//action[@default]"):
+        actioncode += cn.attrib["default"] + "\n"
+
+    return code, expression, templatecode, filtercode, labelcode, actioncode
+
 
 def is_datasource(tool_xml):
     """Returns true if the tool is a datasource tool"""
diff --git a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/linters/command.py b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/linters/command.py
index eff900341cb1..ec5d9c4611b2 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/linters/command.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/linters/command.py
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 class CommandMissing(Linter):
     @classmethod
     def lint(cls, tool_source: "ToolSource", lint_ctx: "LintContext"):
+        if tool_source.parse_tool_type() == "expression":
+            return
         tool_xml = getattr(tool_source, "xml_tree", None)
         if not tool_xml:
             return
diff --git a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/linters/inputs_used.py b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/linters/inputs_used.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..911e2c0f46ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/linters/inputs_used.py
@@ -0,0 +1,225 @@
+import re
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+
+import esprima
+from Cheetah.Parser import ParseError
+
+from galaxy.tool_util.lint import Linter
+from ._util import (
+    get_code,
+    is_valid_cheetah_placeholder,
+)
+from ..parser.util import _parse_name
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from galaxy.tool_util.lint import LintContext
+    from galaxy.tool_util.parser import ToolSource
+
+
+def _param_in_compiled_cheetah(param_name: str, code: str) -> bool:
+    # # accession $PATH.param_name.ATTRIBUTES in cheetah gives
+    # # VFFSL(SL,"PATH.param_name.ATTRIBUTES",True)
+    # # for PATH and ATTRIBUTES we assume simply ([\w.]+)?
+    # # since if wrong it will be discovered in a test
+    # if re.search(r'VFFSL\(SL,[\"\']([\w.]+\.)?' + param_name + r'(\.[\w.]+)?[\"\'],True\)', code):
+    #     return True
+
+    # # print("checking path")
+    # # accessing $PATH.param_name['ATTRIBUTE'] (ATTRIBUTE eg reverse)
+    # # or $PATH.param_name['ATTRIBUTE'].FURTHER_ATTRIBUTE gives
+    # # VFN(VFN(VFFSL(SL,"PATH",True),"param_name",True)['ATTRIBUTE'],"FURTHER_ATTRIBUTE",True)
+    # # we simply search VFN(VFFSL(SL,"PATH",True),"param_name",True)
+    # # ie ignore the ATTRIBUTES part and for PATH we assume again ([\w.]+)?
+    # if re.search(r'VFN\(VFFSL\(SL,[\"\'][\w.]+[\"\'],True\),[\"\']' + param_name + r'[\"\'],True\)', code):
+    #     return True
+
+    # # all these are covered by the rawExpr regular expression below
+    # # - $getVar("param_name")
+    # #   gets
+    # #   _v = VFFSL(SL,"getVar",False)("param_name")
+    # #   if _v is not None: write(_filter(_v, rawExpr='$getVar("param_name")'))
+    # # - $getVar("getvar_default", "default")
+    # #   gets
+    # #   _v = VFFSL(SL,"getVar",False)("getvar_default", "default")
+    # #   if _v is not None: write(_filter(_v, rawExpr='$getVar("getvar_default", "default")'))
+    # if re.search(r'VFFSL\(SL,[\"\']getVar[\"\'],False\)\([\"\']([\w.]+\.)?' + param_name + r'(\.[\w.]+)?[\"\'](, [^()]+)?\)', code):
+    #     return True
+
+    # # - $varExists("varexists")
+    # #   gets
+    # #   _v = VFFSL(SL,"varExists",False)("varexists")
+    # #   if _v is not None: write(_filter(_v, rawExpr='$varExists("varexists")'))
+    # # - $hasVar("hasvar")
+    # #   gets
+    # #   _v = VFFSL(SL,"hasVar",False)("hasvar")
+    # #   if _v is not None: write(_filter(_v, rawExpr='$hasVar("hasvar")'))
+    # if re.search(r'VFFSL\(SL,[\"\'](varExists|hasvar)[\"\'],False\)\([\"\']([\w.]+\.)?' + param_name + r'(\.[\w.]+)?[\'\"]\)', code):
+    #     return True
+
+    # # Also the following is possible (TODO but we could forbid it)
+    # # $PATH["param_name"].ATTRIBUTES
+    # # VFFSL(SL,"PATH",True)["param_name"].ATTRIBUTES
+    # if re.search(r'VFFSL\(SL,[\"\'][\w.]+[\"\'],True\)\[[\"\']' + param_name + r'[\"\']\]', code):
+    #     return True
+    # gets
+    # set $rg_id = str($rg_param('read_group_id_conditional').ID)
+    # rg_id = str(VFN(VFFSL(SL,"rg_param",False)('read_group_id_conditional'),"ID",True))
+    if re.search(r"(VFN|VFFSL)\(.*[\"\']([\w.]+\.)?" + param_name + r"(\.[\w.]+)?[\"\']", code):
+        return True
+
+    # #for i, r in enumerate($repeat_name)
+    #     #set x = $str(r[ 'param_name' ])
+    # #end for
+    # the loop content gets
+    # x = VFFSL(SL,"str",False)(r[ 'var_in_repeat' ])
+    if re.search(r"(VFFSL|VFN)\(.*\[\s*[\"\']" + param_name + r"[\"\']\s*\]", code):
+        # print(f"    G")
+        return True
+
+    # "${ ",".join( [ str( r.var_in_repeat3 ) for r in $repeat_name ] ) }"
+    # gets
+    # _v = ",".join( [ str( r.var_in_repeat3 ) for r in VFFSL(SL,"repeat_name",True) ] )
+    # if _v is not None: write(_filter(_v, rawExpr='${ ",".join( [ str( r.var_in_repeat3 ) for r in $repeat_name ] ) }'))
+    if re.search(r"rawExpr=([\"\'])(.*[^\w])?" + param_name + r"([^\w].*)?(\1)", code):
+        return True
+
+    # print("FALSE")
+    return False
+
+
+def _param_in_expression(param_name: str, expression: str) -> bool:
+    try:
+        syntax_tree = esprima.parseScript(expression, tolerant=True)
+    except Exception as e:
+        return False
+
+    def check_node(node):
+        if hasattr(node, "__dict__"):
+            if getattr(node, "type", None) == "Identifier" and getattr(node, "name", None) == param_name:
+                return True
+            for key, value in vars(node).items():
+                if isinstance(value, (list, esprima.nodes.Node)) and check_node(value):
+                    return True
+        elif isinstance(node, list):
+            for item in node:
+                if check_node(item):
+                    return True
+        return False
+
+    return check_node(syntax_tree.body)
+
+
+
+class InputsUsed(Linter):
+    """
+    check if the parameter is used somewhere, the following cases are considered:
+    - in the command or a configfile
+    - in an output filter
+    - if it is the select of conditional
+    - if there is an inputs configfile that is used
+      - for data parameters data_style needs to be set for the config file
+      - for other parameters the name of the config file must be used in the code
+
+    a warning is shown if the parameter is used only in
+    - template macro,
+    - output action, or
+    - label of an output
+
+    otherwise
+    - if the parameter only appears in change_format
+    - or if none of the previous cases apply
+    """
+
+    @classmethod
+    def lint(cls, tool_source: "ToolSource", lint_ctx: "LintContext"):
+        tool_xml = getattr(tool_source, "xml_tree", None)
+        if not tool_xml:
+            return
+
+        try:
+            code, template_code, filter_code, label_code, action_code = get_code(tool_xml)
+        except ParseError as pe:
+            lint_ctx.error(f"Invalid cheetah found{pe}", linter=cls.name(), node=tool_xml.getroot())
+            return
+
+        inputs = tool_xml.findall("./inputs//param")
+        for param in inputs:
+            try:
+                param_name = _parse_name(param.attrib.get("name"), param.attrib.get("argument"))
+            except ValueError:
+                continue
+            if not is_valid_cheetah_placeholder(param_name):
+                continue
+            if _param_in_compiled_cheetah(param, param_name, code):
+                continue
+            if _param_in_expression(param_name, expression):
+                continue
+            if param_name in filter_code:
+                continue
+            # TODO We need to check if the referenced parameter is the current one
+            if (
+                tool_xml.find("./inputs//param/options[@from_dataset]") is not None
+                or tool_xml.find("./inputs//param/options/filter[@ref]") is not None
+            ):
+                continue
+            if param.getparent().tag == "conditional":
+                continue
+
+            conf_inputs = tool_xml.find("./configfiles/inputs")
+            if conf_inputs is not None:  # in this it's really hard to know
+                param_type = param.attrib.get("type")
+                if param_type in ["data", "collection"]:
+                    if not conf_inputs.attrib.get("data_style"):
+                        lint_ctx.error(
+                            f"Param input [{param_name}] not found in command or configfiles. Does the present inputs config miss the 'data_style' attribute?",
+                            linter=cls.name(),
+                            node=param,
+                        )
+                inputs_conf_name = conf_inputs.attrib.get("name", conf_inputs.attrib.get("filename", None))
+                if inputs_conf_name:
+                    if not re.search(r"(^|[^\w])" + inputs_conf_name + r"([^\w]|$)", code):
+                        lint_ctx.error(
+                            f"Param input [{param_name}] only used inputs configfile {inputs_conf_name}, but this is not used in the command",
+                            linter=cls.name(),
+                            node=param,
+                        )
+                continue
+
+            change_format = tool_xml.find(f"./outputs//change_format/when[@input='{param_name}']") is not None
+            template = re.search(r"(^|[^\w])" + param_name + r"([^\w]|$)", template_code) is not None
+            action = re.search(r"(^|[^\w])" + param_name + r"([^\w]|$)", action_code) is not None
+            label = re.search(r"[^\w]" + param_name + r"([^\w]|$)", label_code) is not None
+            if template or action or label:
+                if template + action + label == 1:
+                    only = "only "
+                else:
+                    only = ""
+                # TODO check that template is used??
+                if template:
+                    lint_ctx.warn(
+                        f"Param input [{param_name}] {only}used in a template macro, use a macro token instead.",
+                        linter=cls.name(),
+                        node=param,
+                    )
+                if action:
+                    lint_ctx.warn(
+                        f"Param input [{param_name}] {only}found in output actions, better use extended metadata.",
+                        linter=cls.name(),
+                        node=param,
+                    )
+                if label:
+                    lint_ctx.warn(
+                        f"Param input [{param_name}] {only}found in a label attribute, this is discouraged.",
+                        linter=cls.name(),
+                        node=param,
+                    )
+                continue
+
+            if change_format:
+                lint_ctx.error(
+                    f"Param input [{param_name}] is only used in a change_format tag", linter=cls.name(), node=param
+                )
+            else:
+                lint_ctx.error(
+                    f"Param input [{param_name}] not found in command or configfiles.", linter=cls.name(), node=param
+                )
diff --git a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/parser/util.py b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/parser/util.py
index 0dbc476ef0c3..d1ea5b399b98 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/parser/util.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/parser/util.py
@@ -32,6 +32,12 @@ def is_dict(item):
     return isinstance(item, dict) or isinstance(item, OrderedDict)
 
 
+def _prepare_argument(argument):
+    if argument is None:
+        return ""
+    return argument.lstrip("-").replace("-", "_")
+
+
 def _parse_name(name, argument):
     """Determine name of an input source from name and argument
     returns the name or if absent the argument property
@@ -41,7 +47,7 @@ def _parse_name(name, argument):
     if name is None:
         if argument is None:
             raise ValueError("parameter must specify a 'name' or 'argument'.")
-        name = argument.lstrip("-").replace("-", "_")
+        name = _prepare_argument(argument)
     return name
 
 
diff --git a/packages/tool_util/setup.cfg b/packages/tool_util/setup.cfg
index 9f087d25d9f0..b3f0ced15665 100644
--- a/packages/tool_util/setup.cfg
+++ b/packages/tool_util/setup.cfg
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ version = 25.1.dev0
 include_package_data = True
 install_requires =
     galaxy-tool-util-models
-    galaxy-util[image-util]>=22.1
+    galaxy-util[image_util]>=22.1
+    Cheetah3
     conda-package-streaming
     lxml!=4.2.2
     MarkupSafe
diff --git a/test/unit/tool_util/test_tool_linters.py b/test/unit/tool_util/test_tool_linters.py
index 7c25524bb391..2922cfbc43ea 100644
--- a/test/unit/tool_util/test_tool_linters.py
+++ b/test/unit/tool_util/test_tool_linters.py
@@ -192,6 +192,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_VALID = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>$txt_param $int_param</command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="txt_param" type="text"/>
         <param name="int_param" type="integer"/>
@@ -201,6 +202,10 @@
 
 INPUTS_PARAM_NAME = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>
+        $param_name
+        $valid
+    </command>
     <inputs>
         <param type="text"/>
         <param name="" type="text"/>
@@ -213,6 +218,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_PARAM_TYPE = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>$valid_name $another_valid_name</command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="valid_name"/>
         <param argument="--another-valid-name" type=""/>
@@ -222,6 +228,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_DATA_PARAM = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>$valid_name</command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="valid_name" type="data"/>
     </inputs>
@@ -230,6 +237,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_DATA_PARAM_OPTIONS = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <!-- no mention of $input in command needed -> used in the filter ref  -->
     <inputs>
         <param name="input" type="data" format="tabular"/>
         <param name="valid_name" type="data" format="txt">
@@ -243,6 +251,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_DATA_PARAM_OPTIONS_FILTER_ATTRIBUTE = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <!-- no mention of $input in command needed -> used in the filter ref  -->
     <inputs>
         <param name="input" type="data" format="tabular"/>
         <param name="valid_name" type="data" format="txt">
@@ -256,6 +265,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_DATA_PARAM_INVALIDOPTIONS = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>$valid_name</command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="valid_name" type="data" format="txt">
             <options/>
@@ -267,6 +277,7 @@
 </tool>
 """
 
+
 INPUTS_BOOLEAN_PARAM_SWAPPED_LABELS = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
     <inputs>
@@ -277,6 +288,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_BOOLEAN_PARAM_DUPLICATE_LABELS = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>$valid_name</command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="valid_name" type="boolean" truevalue="--foo" falsevalue="--foo" />
     </inputs>
@@ -285,6 +297,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_CONDITIONAL = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <!-- conditional parameters do not need to be mentioned in command -->
     <inputs>
         <conditional>
             <param name="select" type="select"/>
@@ -340,6 +353,11 @@
 
 INPUTS_SELECT_INCOMPATIBLE_DISPLAY = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>
+        $radio_select
+        $checkboxes_select
+        $checkboxes_select_correct
+    </command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="radio_select" type="select" display="radio" optional="true" multiple="true">
             <option value="1">1</option>
@@ -360,6 +378,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_SELECT_DUPLICATED_OPTIONS = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>$select</command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="select" type="select" optional="true" multiple="true">
             <option value="v">x</option>
@@ -371,6 +390,7 @@
 
 SELECT_DUPLICATED_OPTIONS_WITH_DIFF_SELECTED = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>$select</command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="select" type="select" optional="true" multiple="true">
             <option value="v">x</option>
@@ -382,6 +402,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_SELECT_DEPRECATIONS = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>$select_do $select_ff $select_fp</command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="select_do" type="select" dynamic_options="blah()"/>
         <param name="select_ff" type="select">
@@ -396,6 +417,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_SELECT_OPTION_DEFINITIONS = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <!-- TODO command should mention these parameters. FN due to from_dataset-->
     <inputs>
         <param name="select_noopt" type="select"/>
         <param name="select_noopts" type="select">
@@ -422,6 +444,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_SELECT_FILTER = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>$select_filter_types</command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="select_filter_types" type="select">
             <options from_data_table="xyz">
@@ -435,6 +458,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_VALIDATOR_INCOMPATIBILITIES = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>$param_name $another_param_name</command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="param_name" type="text">
             <validator type="in_range">TEXT</validator>
@@ -455,6 +479,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_VALIDATOR_CORRECT = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>$data_param $collection_param $text_param $select_param $int_param</command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="data_param" type="data" format="data">
             <validator type="metadata" check="md1,md2" skip="md3,md4" message="custom validation message" negate="true"/>
@@ -500,6 +525,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_TYPE_CHILD_COMBINATIONS = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>$text_param $select_param $data_param $int_param</command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="text_param" type="text">
             <options/>
@@ -525,6 +551,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_DUPLICATE_NAMES = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>$dup $sec.dup_in_section $cond.dup_in_cond $dup_in_output</command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="dup" type="text"/>
         <param name="dup" type="text"/>
@@ -551,8 +578,10 @@
     </outputs>
 </tool>
 """
+
 INPUTS_FILTER_INCORRECT = """
 <tool name="name" id="id">
+    <!-- TODO select_param should be in command .. FN due to ref in filter -->
     <inputs>
         <param name="select_param" type="select">
             <options from_data_table="bowtie2_indexes">
@@ -571,6 +600,7 @@
 
 INPUTS_FILTER_CORRECT = """
 <tool name="name" id="id">
+    <!-- TODO select_param should be in command .. FN due to ref in filter -->
     <inputs>
         <param name="select_param" type="select">
             <options from_data_table="bowtie2_indexes">
@@ -594,6 +624,188 @@
 </tool>
 """
 
+# tests for many different cheetah placeholder syntax possibilities
+# that should pass and two that should give an error
+INPUTS_USED_PARAMETER_IN_COMMAND = """
+<tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>
+        $simple1
+        ${ simple2 }
+        ## Variable in repeat
+        #for i, r in enumerate($repeat_name)
+            #set x = $str(r[ 'var_in_repeat' ])
+            ${r.var_in_repeat2}
+        #end for
+        "${ ",".join( [ str( r.var_in_repeat3 ) for r in $repeat_name ] ) }"
+        $sec.paired_collection1.forward.ext
+        $sec["paired_collection3"].forward.ext
+        $sec.sec2.paired_collection2['reverse'].ext
+        $getVar("getvar")
+        $getVar("getvar_default", "default")
+        $hasVar("hasvar")
+        $varExists("varexists")
+        ## check that comments are considered
+        ## $hey_a_missing_parameter
+        also comments at the end of lines are ignored ## $hey_a_missing_parameter
+        #*
+            $hey_a_missing_parameter
+        *#
+        #* $hey_a_missing_parameter *#
+        $same_param_in_both_whens
+    </command>
+    <configfiles>
+        <configfile name="conf"><![CDATA[
+            <tag>$param_in_config_file</tag>
+        ]]></configfile>
+    </configfiles>
+    <inputs>
+        <param name="simple1" type="text"/>
+        <param name="simple2" type="text"/>
+        <repeat name="repeat_name" title="repeat title">
+            <param name="var_in_repeat" type="text"/>
+            <param name="var_in_repeat2" type="text"/>
+            <param name="var_in_repeat3" type="text"/>
+        </repeat>
+        <section name="sec" title="sec title">
+            <param name="paired_collection1" type="data_collection" collection_type="paired"/>
+            <param name="paired_collection3" type="data_collection" collection_type="paired"/>
+            <section name="sec2" title="sec title2">
+                <param name="paired_collection2" type="data_collection" collection_type="paired"/>
+            </section>
+        </section>
+        <param name="getvar" type="text"/>
+        <param name="getvar_default" type="text"/>
+        <param name="hasvar" type="text"/>
+        <param name="varexists" type="text"/>
+        <param name="param_in_config_file" type="text"/>
+        <param name="data_param_filter" type="boolean"/>
+        <param name="collection_param_filter" type="boolean"/>
+        <conditional name="cond">
+            <param name="cond_select" type="select" label="cond_select_label">
+                <option value="a">a</option>
+                <option value="b">b</option>
+            </param>
+            <when value="a">
+                <param name="same_param_in_both_whens" type="text"/>
+            </when>
+            <when value="b">
+                <param name="same_param_in_both_whens" type="text"/>
+            </when>
+        </conditional>
+        <param name="change_format_parameter" type="text"/>
+        <param name="hey_a_missing_parameter" type="boolean"/>
+    </inputs>
+    <outputs>
+        <data name="output_name" label="${param_that_is_used_only_in_output_label}">
+            <filter>data_param_filter</filter>
+            <actions>
+                <conditional name="action_conditional_reference">
+                    <when value="x">
+                        <action type="metadata" name="dbkey">
+                            <option type="from_param" name="action_option_reference">
+                               <filter type="param_value" ref="action_filter_reference" column="0"/>
+                            </option>
+                        </action>
+                    </when>
+                </conditional>
+            </actions>
+        </data>
+        <collection name="collection_output_name">
+            <filter>collection_param_filter</filter>
+        </collection>
+        <data name="another_output_name" format="fasta">
+            <change_format>
+                <when input="change_format_parameter" value="interval" format="interval" />
+            </change_format>
+        </data>
+    </outputs>
+</tool>
+"""
+
+INPUTS_USED_PARAMETER_IN_COMMAND_WITH_INPUTS = """
+<tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>
+        do something with $inputs ## but note, the linter does not check if inputs is really used
+    </command>
+    <configfiles>
+        <inputs name="inputs" />
+    </configfiles>
+    <inputs>
+        <param name="param_that_may_be_in_inputs_configfile" type="text"/>
+        <param name="param_that_is_not_in_inputs_configfile" type="data" format="data"/>
+    </inputs>
+</tool>
+"""
+
+INPUTS_USED_OTHER = """
+<tool id="id" name="name">
+    <macros>
+        <template name="template_token">
+            $variable_in_template_token
+        </template>
+    </macros>
+    <command>
+        #include source=$template_token#
+    </command>
+    <configfiles>
+        <configfile name="conf"><![CDATA[
+            <tag>$param_in_config_file</tag>
+        ]]></configfile>
+    </configfiles>
+    <inputs>
+        <param name="variable_in_template_token" type="text"/>
+        <!-- parameter that is used in the label of an output-->
+        <param name="param_that_is_used_only_in_output_label" type="text"/>
+        <!-- parameters that are used only in output actions -->
+        <param name="action_conditional_reference" type="text"/>
+        <param name="action_option_reference" type="text"/>
+        <param name="action_filter_reference" type="text"/>
+    </inputs>
+    <outputs>
+        <data name="output_name" label="${param_that_is_used_only_in_output_label}">
+            <filter>data_param_filter</filter>
+            <actions>
+                <conditional name="action_conditional_reference">
+                    <when value="x">
+                        <action type="metadata" name="dbkey">
+                            <option type="from_param" name="action_option_reference">
+                               <filter type="param_value" ref="action_filter_reference" column="0"/>
+                            </option>
+                        </action>
+                    </when>
+                </conditional>
+            </actions>
+        </data>
+    </outputs>
+</tool>
+"""
+
+INPUTS_USED_PARAMETER_IN_COMMAND_WITH_INPUTS2 = """
+<tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>
+        do nothing with the configfile
+    </command>
+    <configfiles>
+        <inputs filename="inputs" />
+    </configfiles>
+    <inputs>
+        <param name="param_that_is_not_in_inputs_configfile" type="text"/>
+    </inputs>
+</tool>
+"""
+
+# test case checking if syntax errors are reported
+INPUTS_USED_PARAMETER_SYNTAX_ERROR = """
+<tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>
+        #if $param
+            this is unfinished if</command>
+    <inputs>
+        <param name="param" type="boolean"/>
+    </inputs>
+</tool>
+"""
+
 # test tool xml for outputs linter
 OUTPUTS_MISSING = """
 <tool id="id" name="name"/>
@@ -713,6 +925,7 @@
 # tool xml for repeats linter
 REPEATS = """
 <tool id="id" name="name">
+    <command>$another_param_name</command>
     <inputs>
         <repeat>
             <param name="another_param_name" type="data" format="bed"/>
@@ -1739,6 +1952,89 @@ def test_inputs_repeats(lint_ctx):
     assert len(lint_ctx.error_messages) == 2
 
 
+def test_inputs_used_parameter_in_command(lint_ctx):
+    tool_source = get_xml_tool_source(INPUTS_USED_PARAMETER_IN_COMMAND)
+    run_lint_module(lint_ctx, inputs, tool_source)
+    assert "Found 20 input parameters." in lint_ctx.info_messages
+    assert len(lint_ctx.info_messages) == 1
+    assert not lint_ctx.valid_messages
+    assert not lint_ctx.warn_messages
+    assert "Param input [hey_a_missing_parameter] not found in command or configfiles." in lint_ctx.error_messages
+    assert "Param input [change_format_parameter] is only used in a change_format tag" in lint_ctx.error_messages
+    assert len(lint_ctx.error_messages) == 2
+
+
+def test_inputs_used_other(lint_ctx):
+    tool_source = get_xml_tool_source(INPUTS_USED_OTHER)
+    run_lint_module(lint_ctx, inputs, tool_source)
+    assert "Found 5 input parameters." in lint_ctx.info_messages
+    assert len(lint_ctx.info_messages) == 1
+    assert not lint_ctx.valid_messages
+    assert (
+        "Param input [variable_in_template_token] only used in a template macro, use a macro token instead."
+        in lint_ctx.warn_messages
+    )
+    assert (
+        "Param input [action_option_reference] only found in output actions, better use extended metadata."
+        in lint_ctx.warn_messages
+    )
+    assert (
+        "Param input [action_filter_reference] only found in output actions, better use extended metadata."
+        in lint_ctx.warn_messages
+    )
+    assert (
+        "Param input [action_conditional_reference] only found in output actions, better use extended metadata."
+        in lint_ctx.warn_messages
+    )
+    assert (
+        "Param input [param_that_is_used_only_in_output_label] only found in a label attribute, this is discouraged."
+        in lint_ctx.warn_messages
+    )
+    assert len(lint_ctx.warn_messages) == 5
+    assert len(lint_ctx.error_messages) == 0
+
+
+def test_inputs_used_parameter_in_command_with_inputs(lint_ctx):
+    tool_source = get_xml_tool_source(INPUTS_USED_PARAMETER_IN_COMMAND_WITH_INPUTS)
+    run_lint_module(lint_ctx, inputs, tool_source)
+    assert "Found 2 input parameters." in lint_ctx.info_messages
+    assert len(lint_ctx.info_messages) == 1
+    assert not lint_ctx.valid_messages
+    assert not lint_ctx.warn_messages
+    assert (
+        "Param input [param_that_is_not_in_inputs_configfile] not found in command or configfiles. Does the present inputs config miss the 'data_style' attribute?"
+        in lint_ctx.error_messages
+    )
+    assert len(lint_ctx.error_messages) == 1
+
+
+def test_inputs_used_parameter_in_command_with_inputs2(lint_ctx):
+    tool_source = get_xml_tool_source(INPUTS_USED_PARAMETER_IN_COMMAND_WITH_INPUTS2)
+    run_lint_module(lint_ctx, inputs, tool_source)
+    assert "Found 1 input parameters." in lint_ctx.info_messages
+    assert len(lint_ctx.info_messages) == 1
+    assert not lint_ctx.valid_messages
+    assert not lint_ctx.warn_messages
+    assert (
+        "Param input [param_that_is_not_in_inputs_configfile] only used inputs configfile inputs, but this is not used in the command"
+        in lint_ctx.error_messages
+    )
+    assert len(lint_ctx.error_messages) == 1
+
+
+def test_inputs_used_parameter_syntax_error(lint_ctx):
+    tool_source = get_xml_tool_source(INPUTS_USED_PARAMETER_SYNTAX_ERROR)
+    run_lint_module(lint_ctx, inputs, tool_source)
+    assert "Found 1 input parameters." in lint_ctx.info_messages
+    assert len(lint_ctx.info_messages) == 1
+    assert not lint_ctx.valid_messages
+    assert not lint_ctx.warn_messages
+    assert (
+        "Invalid cheetah found\n\nSome #directives are missing their corresponding #end ___ tag: if\nLine 4, column 33\n\nLine|Cheetah Code\n----|-------------------------------------------------------------\n2   |\n3   |        #if $param\n4   |            this is unfinished if\n                                     ^\n"
+        in lint_ctx.error_messages
+    )
+
+
 def test_outputs_missing(lint_ctx):
     tool_source = get_xml_tool_source(OUTPUTS_MISSING)
     run_lint_module(lint_ctx, output, tool_source)
@@ -2210,6 +2506,7 @@ def test_valid_datatypes(lint_ctx):
 
 
 DATA_MANAGER = """<tool id="test_dm" name="test dm" version="1" tool_type="manage_data">
+    <command>$select</command>
     <inputs>
         <param name="select" type="select">
             <option value="a">a</option>
@@ -2233,10 +2530,9 @@ def test_data_manager(lint_ctx_xpath, lint_ctx):
     assert "No citations found, consider adding citations to your tool." in lint_ctx.warn_messages
     assert "Select parameter [select] has multiple options with the same text content" in lint_ctx.error_messages
     assert "Select parameter [select] has multiple options with the same value" in lint_ctx.error_messages
-    assert "No command tag found, must specify a command template to execute." in lint_ctx.error_messages
     assert lint_ctx.valid_messages
     assert len(lint_ctx.warn_messages) == 4
-    assert len(lint_ctx.error_messages) == 3
+    assert len(lint_ctx.error_messages) == 2
 
 
 COMPLETE = """<tool id="id" name="name">
@@ -2424,7 +2720,7 @@ def test_skip_by_module(lint_ctx):
 def test_list_linters():
     linter_names = Linter.list_listers()
     # make sure to add/remove a test for new/removed linters if this number changes
-    assert len(linter_names) == 142
+    assert len(linter_names) == 143
     assert "Linter" not in linter_names
     # make sure that linters from all modules are available
     for prefix in [