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n. / Models and tokens
Structured output
Definition
Structured output is a model reply that follows a fixed format, usually JSON that matches a schema, so your code can read it without guessing. Many providers can enforce the schema while the model generates.
In more detail
Free text is hard to parse reliably. A schema gives you named fields, types and allowed values, and turns most formatting failures into a validation error you can count. Truncation, refusals and a schema that is too loose are the remaining failure modes to watch in traces.
Example
A triage step must return {"priority": "low" | "high", "reason": string}. Your code parses it directly and routes the ticket without reading prose.
Related terms
