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Overview

Properties are the fixed, built-in fields that CXF defines for an object. They make up its base structure — the minimum set of fields the object needs to exist. Unlike Attributes, which you create and customize, Properties are defined by CXF and can’t be added, renamed, or removed. You extend an object’s base Properties with custom Attributes. Their values live side by side on the record; the UI usually presents them as separate groups. For the mental model, see Core concepts.

Properties vs Attributes

PropertiesAttributes
Defined byCXF (fixed)You (custom)
PurposeBase structure — the minimum to existExtend the object with custom fields
ConfigurableNoYes

Common properties

The exact Properties depend on the object type, but most objects share a base set, for example:
PropertyDescription
idUnique identifier of the record.
titleHuman-readable name.
slugURL-friendly identifier, unique within the object type.
typeThe record’s subtype within its object type, where applicable.
created_atWhen the record was created.
updated_atWhen the record was last changed.

Behaviour & rules

  • Properties are fixed — you can’t create, rename, or delete them; they’re part of the object’s definition.
  • Property and Attribute values are stored at the same level on the record.
  • Property values are set when you create or update a record.

Seeds

Because Properties are an object’s base fields, they appear directly inside a record’s data in a structural seed — for example, the title, slug, and type of a content template. See Building a structural seed.

API access

Property values are read and written like any other field on the object through the API reference.

Attributes

The custom fields you add on top of Properties.

Object types

Each object type has its own base Properties.