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

# OpenGraph Metadata

> Learn how metadata influences ingestion and metrics behavior.

<img noZoom src="https://mintcdn.com/specterops/tTIczgde9H07oLXf/assets/enterprise-AND-community-edition-pill-tag.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=tTIczgde9H07oLXf&q=85&s=ad49a576589f4d2a8081df77d07fdf56" alt="Applies to BloodHound Enterprise and CE" width="482" height="45" data-path="assets/enterprise-AND-community-edition-pill-tag.svg" />

The `metadata` object defines payload-wide ingest behavior.

One of its primary uses is registering a `source_kind`, which facilitates organizing and managing graph data by [source](/opengraph/developer/graph-data#data-source).

```json highlight={3} theme={null}
{
  "metadata": {
    "source_kind": "GitHub"
  },
  "graph": {
    "nodes": [],
    "edges": []
  }
}
```

<Note>
  The `metadata` object is optional for both <Tooltip tip="A graph generated from a data payload that conforms to the minimum JSON schema only." cta="Learn more" href="/opengraph/overview#generic-graphs">generic graphs</Tooltip> and <Tooltip tip="A graph generated from a data payload that also conforms to an installed extension definition schema." cta="Learn more" href="/opengraph/overview#structured-graphs">structured graphs</Tooltip>.
</Note>

<ResponseField name="metadata" type="object">
  Optional top-level metadata object that configures payload-wide ingest behavior.

  The `metadata` object accepts only `source_kind`. Any other fields cause validation errors.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="source_kind" type="string">
  Source system label used to register a source kind and apply it to all nodes in a data payload. During ingestion, BloodHound appends this value to each node's `kinds` array.

  You can register a `source_kind` through the `metadata` object or through the extension definition schema. Once registered, BloodHound reuses it for subsequent uploads with the same node kinds, even if the payload omits `metadata.source_kind`.
</ResponseField>

## Schema

Use the following JSON schema for validation requirements.

```json theme={null}
{
    "title": "Metadata",
    "description": "Optional metadata about the ingest payload",
    "type": "object",
    "properties": {
        "source_kind": {
            "type": ["string","null"]
        }
    },
    "additionalProperties": false
}
```

## Troubleshooting

* **`source_kind` does not appear in expected nodes:** Verify that `metadata` is at the top level of the data payload and not nested under `graph`.

* **Unexpected kind labels after ingest:** Confirm that your `source_kind` value is intentional because `metadata.source_kind` appends it to every node in the data payload.