Use of YAML metadata block

["R (Chandra) Chandrasekhar" <chyavana-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w@public.gmane.org>]

I am a little unsure of the boundaries of what a YAML metadata block can 
contain in order for it to be correctly interpreted as a command line 
option.

While there is a certain allure to having all compile-time options 
sitting in a metadata block in the document itself to make it 
self-contained, Pandoc's versatility in format support makes this 
difficult to achieve.

My understanding is that key-value options to --variable and --metadata 
can be included in a YAML metadata block, but not standard command line 
options like --bibliography or --filter or --highlight-style (with 
title, author, date being exceptions.)

Is this correct?

Because this is a dynamic and evolving area, can someone point me to the 
definitive single source that documents current behaviour so that I 
might get some clarity, please.

Thanks.

Chandra