# Characteristic

object type

A characteristic — a master-list entry for VALIDATED product values (serial-number, warranty period, …): value type + validation grammar + optional unit; distinct from Tags (unstructured labels), Categories (navigation), and Options (variant-driving). Canned + custom: system-shipped IMMUTABLE templates are copied via copyCannedCharacteristic; group-defined customs are created directly — references (the Manufacturer format map; the spine) always point at group-owned constructs, never templates. TWO_STATE — no inactive (a master-list entry is usable or gone).

## Fields

| Field | Type | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `id` | [ID](/types/#scalars) `ID!` | The record’s id — a UUID the platform assigned when the record was created; every reference to this record uses it. |
| `sysId` | [String](/types/#scalars) `String!` | The group-scoped human-facing system id (CH-…). |
| `type` | [String](/types/#scalars) `String!` | The kind of record — always `Characteristic` here. |
| `caption` | [String](/types/#scalars) `String!` | The record’s display name — what people see it called. |
| `status` | [String](/types/#scalars) `String!` | The FSM state: active \| doomed. |
| `parentId` | [ID](/types/#scalars) `ID!` | The parent org group; for a Characteristic parentId === rootId. |
| `rootId` | [ID](/types/#scalars) `ID!` | The org-group family root. |
| `createdAt` | [String](/types/#scalars) `String!` | When the record was created, as a UTC timestamp. |
| `updatedAt` | [String](/types/#scalars) `String!` | When the record last changed, as a UTC timestamp. |
| `revisionNum` | [Int](/types/#scalars) `Int!` | How many times this record has been edited; the first save is 0. |
| `revision` | [ID](/types/#scalars) `ID!` | The OCC revision token — supply it on every mutation of this record; rotates on every write. |
| `refCaptions` | [RefCaption](/types/RefCaption/) `[RefCaption!]!` | The server-composed captions of this record's declared references (the referenced-caption rule) — one row per referenced id; see RefCaption. |
| `valueType` | [CharacteristicValueType](/types/CharacteristicValueType/) `CharacteristicValueType!` | The value type (canned registry) — set at creation, IMMUTABLE thereafter. |
| `grammar` | [CharacteristicGrammar](/types/CharacteristicGrammar/) | Optional validation grammar; REQUIRED (with pattern) on a pattern-typed characteristic; refused on number/date (STRICT). |
| `unit` | [String](/types/#scalars) | Optional canned-UoM unit code; absent = dimensionless. |
| `code` | [String](/types/#scalars) | Optional mutable merchant reference code; uniqueness NOT enforced (the code stance). |

## Used by

- [characteristic](/reference/characteristic/characteristic/)
- [copyCannedCharacteristic](/reference/catalog-structure/copyCannedCharacteristic/)
- [createCharacteristic](/reference/characteristic/createCharacteristic/)
- [doomCharacteristic](/reference/characteristic/doomCharacteristic/)
- [updateCharacteristic](/reference/characteristic/updateCharacteristic/)