structured output
Constrain model output to a defined structure and validate it at the boundary.
Use this when Another program must consume the model’s output reliably.
without the term
“My code parses the AI's answer as JSON and it breaks every so often because the model adds text or misses a field. How do I make the output reliably match what my code expects?”
with the term · How do you ask a model for structured output?
Return and validate output against this schema. Test missing fields, invalid values, and the provider’s refusal or incomplete-output case.
What is structured output?
Use the provider's schema-constrained mode, then still validate the result. A response with the right shape can still contain wrong content.
Why does structured output matter when vibe coding?
Asking for JSON does not ensure parsing, schema validity, or semantic correctness.
How do you do structured output?
Use supported schema constraints, then validate structure and task-specific rules before consuming the result.
What goes wrong with structured output?
Treating schema-valid claims as verified facts.