# Characteristics

{% hint style="info" %}
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{% endhint %}

**Characteristics** is an object field on the Entity root type that defines the characteristics of a given record. Because characteristics can vary based on char type and template, the Characteristics object does not have a predictable set of fields. It is instead a collection of key-value pairs represented by a characteristic's tag label and its value, exactly how it is represented for other REST endpoints. 

```graphql
{    
    entity (id: 10, charTypeId: 4) {
        characteristics
    }
}
```

The above query would return all characteristic values for a given entity. Each entity object has a characteristics field that can be requested.

```graphql
{    
    entity (id: 10, charTypeId: 4) {
        characteristics
        children (charTypeId: 3) {
            id
            characteristics
        }
    }
}
```

## Filtering

Since **Characteristics** does not have a predictable structure, we are not able to query for specific characteristics the way we normally would through GraphQL. In order to request only specific characteristics for a given entity, you must pass the desired characteristics in a parameter called `tags`:

```graphql
{    
    entity (id: 10, charTypeId: 4) {
        characteristics (tags: ["agreement_date", "term_start"])
    }
}
```

This will return only characteristics with tag labels matching either `agreement_date` or `term_start`. If the characteristic does not exist or does not have a value, it will not be returned.

```json
{
    "data": {
        "entity": {
            "characteristics": {
                "agreement_date": "2023-06-15T16:40:22.060Z",
                "term_start": "2023-07-17T17:32:12.570Z"
            }
        }
    }
}
```

If no tags are passed, all characteristic values will be returned. Characteristics are serialized in the response in the same manner that they are for all other REST endpoints.


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://api-docs.rightsline.com/graphql/entity/characteristics.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.