> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cogna8-io.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cogna8-io.gitbook.io/docs/core-concepts/canonical-keys.md).

# Canonical Keys

Canonical keys are the mechanism Cogna8 uses to identify and deduplicate state. When a user mentions a concept in different words across different conversations, the system recognizes both as referring to the same underlying information.

## What Keys Do

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* **Deduplication** - recognize when new information updates existing state
* **Conflict detection** - identify when two values for the same concept contradict
* **Gate requirements** - policies reference keys to define what state an action needs
* **Audit linking** - trace the full history of a concept across conversations
  {% endhint %}

## How Keys Work

Keys are generated automatically during state extraction. The system normalizes different phrasings to the same key, so variations in wording, formatting, or abbreviation do not create false duplicates.

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Key generation is designed to be **conservative** - it prefers to create a new key rather than incorrectly merge two different concepts. False separation is less dangerous than false merging.
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