---
url: /api/schemas/output-styles.md
description: Schema reference for output style YAML frontmatter fields.
---

# Output Style Frontmatter

Output styles are defined as `.md` files in `output-styles/` directories (e.g., `.claude/output-styles/concise/concise.md`). The YAML frontmatter configures the style; the file body contains the style guidelines.

## Fields

| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|-------|------|----------|-------------|
| `name` | string | no | Display name for the style |
| `description` | string | no | Description of the style |
| `keep-coding-instructions` | boolean | no | Preserve coding instructions in output |
| `force-for-plugin` | boolean | no | Automatically apply a plugin output style when its plugin is enabled; default false |

## Example

```yaml
---
name: concise
description: Provides brief, direct responses without unnecessary explanation.
keep-coding-instructions: true
---
```