> 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/context-and-scopes.md).

# Context and Scopes

Context and scopes determine where governed state applies and where it does not. Many failures are not factual errors - they are scope errors. The information is correct, but it is correct for a different client, thread, project, or operational context.

***

## The Scope Model

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Thread Scope" %}
State bound to a single conversation. Appropriate for isolated workflows and per-session interactions.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Entity Scope" %}
State bound to a specific entity (customer, project, organization) that persists across threads. **Where most production integrity operates.**
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Global Scope" %}
State that applies across broader organizational contexts. Organization-wide policies and universal constraints.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

Narrower scopes can access parent context where allowed, but unrelated sibling contexts remain isolated.

***

## Ambiguity Handling

{% hint style="warning" %}
**When scope is unclear, do not widen authority by accident.** Cogna8 defaults to a safer, narrower scope and flags the ambiguity for review.
{% endhint %}

Cogna8 provides context and scope controls within its governed state and gating system. It complements tenant isolation, IAM, and network security in the broader stack - it does not replace them.