> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cheqd.io/product/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cheqd.io/product/learning-docs/decentralized-id/credentials/types/json-ld.md).

# JSON-LD

JSON-LD is a lightweight [Linked Data format](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linked_data). It is easy for humans to read and write. It is based on the already successful JSON format and provides a way to help JSON data interoperate at Web-scale.

[Linked Data](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linked_data) empowers people that publish and use information on the Web. It is a way to create a network of standards-based, machine-readable data across Web sites. It allows an application to start at one piece of Linked Data, and follow embedded links to other pieces of Linked Data that are hosted on different sites across the Web.

## Using JSON-LD Credentials

The main difference between JSON-LD credentials and JSON credentials is the inclusion of a `@context` field within the credential payload.

In JSON-LD, the `@context` [property](https://www.w3.org/TR/vc-data-model/#dfn-property) can also be used to communicate other details, such as datatype information, language information, transformation rules, and so on, which are beyond the needs of this specification, but might be useful in the future or to related work.

### Example of the JSON-LD `@context` section

```json
{
  "@context": [
    "https://www.w3.org/2018/credentials/v1",
    "https://www.w3.org/2018/credentials/examples/v1"
  ],
  "id": "http://example.edu/credentials/58473",
  "type": ["VerifiableCredential", "AlumniCredential"],
  "issuer": "https://example.edu/issuers/565049",
  "issuanceDate": "2020-05-01T06:09:10Z",
  "credentialSubject": {
    "id": "did:cheqd:c822493c-9728-4279-bc88-a03904fff8b2",
    "alumniOf": {
      "id": "did:cheqd:66694a94-b6b3-4731-ab65-dc80bb24e58d",
      "name": [{
        "value": "cheqd University",
        "lang": "en"
      }, {
        "value": "cheqd d'Université",
        "lang": "fr"
      }]
    }
  },
  "proof": {  }
}
```


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.cheqd.io/product/learning-docs/decentralized-id/credentials/types/json-ld.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.