> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getprofile.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Traits

> Structured user attributes with confidence scores

## What are Traits?

Traits are structured attributes extracted from user conversations. Unlike unstructured memory, traits are:

* **Typed**: String, number, boolean, array, or enum
* **Labeled**: Each trait has a defined key and category
* **Scored**: Confidence level from 0.0 to 1.0
* **Tracked**: Source messages are recorded (optionally)

## Trait Structure

```typescript theme={null}
interface Trait {
  id: string;
  profileId: string;
  key: string; // e.g., "preferred_language"
  category: string | null; // e.g., "communication"
  valueType: "string" | "number" | "boolean" | "array" | "enum";
  value: unknown;
  confidence: number; // 0.0 - 1.0
  source: "extracted" | "manual" | "inferred";
  sourceMessageIds: string[];
  createdAt: Date;
  updatedAt: Date;
}
```

## Default Traits

GetProfile includes these default traits out of the box:

| Trait                 | Type   | Category      | Description                              |
| --------------------- | ------ | ------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| `name`                | string | identity      | User's name or preferred name            |
| `preferred_language`  | string | communication | Communication language                   |
| `communication_style` | enum   | communication | formal, casual, technical, simple        |
| `detail_preference`   | enum   | communication | brief, moderate, detailed                |
| `expertise_level`     | enum   | context       | beginner, intermediate, advanced, expert |
| `timezone`            | string | context       | User's timezone                          |
| `interests`           | array  | preferences   | Topics the user is interested in         |
| `current_goals`       | array  | context       | What the user is working toward          |

Customize or extend this schema via JSON configuration files or dynamically per-request. See [Trait Schema Configuration](/concepts/trait-schemas) for details.

## Confidence Scores

Confidence represents how certain GetProfile is about a trait value:

| Score   | Meaning            | Example                            |
| ------- | ------------------ | ---------------------------------- |
| 0.9+    | Explicit statement | "My name is Alex"                  |
| 0.7-0.9 | Strong indication  | Uses technical jargon consistently |
| 0.5-0.7 | Moderate inference | Seems to prefer detailed responses |
| \< 0.5  | Weak inference     | Might be interested in Python      |

<Tip>
  Traits with low confidence are still stored but may not be injected into
  prompts. Configure the `confidenceThreshold` in your trait schema.
</Tip>

## Trait Sources

| Source      | Description                                |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| `extracted` | Automatically extracted from conversations |
| `manual`    | Set directly via API                       |
| `inferred`  | Derived from other traits or patterns      |

## Trait Updates

When new information conflicts with existing traits:

1. **Higher confidence wins**: New extraction with 0.8 confidence overrides existing 0.5
2. **Manual takes priority**: Manually set traits are preserved unless explicitly updated
3. **Contradictions delete**: If new info directly contradicts a trait, it's deleted

## Example: Trait Extraction

Given this conversation:

```
User: Hi, I'm Alex and I've been coding in Python for about 5 years now.
      I prefer when explanations are concise and technical.
```

GetProfile extracts:

```json theme={null}
[
  {
    "key": "name",
    "value": "Alex",
    "confidence": 0.95,
    "action": "create"
  },
  {
    "key": "expertise_level",
    "value": "advanced",
    "confidence": 0.75,
    "action": "create"
  },
  {
    "key": "communication_style",
    "value": "technical",
    "confidence": 0.85,
    "action": "create"
  },
  {
    "key": "detail_preference",
    "value": "brief",
    "confidence": 0.7,
    "action": "create"
  }
]
```