With the increasing application of low-dose computed tomography and the rising public health awareness, the early detection of pulmonary nodules has become more prevalent. Pulmonary nodules, especially those with a diameter≤2 cm, pose a critical challenge in clinical practice due to the potential risk of progressing into malignant lung lesions. Guided by the principles of "avoiding both over-treatment and mistreatment", the goal is to standardize the clinical management of pulmonary nodules. The "Chinese thoracic surgery expert consensus on rational diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules with a diameter≤2 cm (2024)" was developed after extensive consultation with nearly one hundred thoracic surgery experts in China, relying on large-scale clinical study data and referencing national and international guidelines and consensus. The consensus includes 29 recommendations, focusing on specific attributes such as the size, composition, and anatomical positioning of the nodules. It proposes targeted guidelines for screening, follow-up, diagnostic criteria, and recommendations for personalized treatment, surgical approaches, and protocols for rapid postoperative recovery.