Categories

Categories let you automatically classify incoming traces and threads into user-defined groups. This helps surface patterns, segment data by use case or topic, and organize your observability data.

The categories page has two tabs: Trace Categories and Thread Categories.

Trace Categories

Trace categories classify individual traces as they are ingested. A trace is categorized immediately when it matches any enabled category.

Sample Rate

The Sample Rate controls the probability that an incoming trace will be categorized. Set a value between 0.0 and 1.0 (e.g. 0.5 means 50% of traces will be categorized). This lets you control the overhead of categorization on high-volume projects.

Create a Trace Category

1. Navigate to Project Settings > Categories > Trace Categories
2. Click New Category
3. Enter a Name (e.g. “Customer Support”, “Billing Inquiry”)
4. Enter a Description (e.g. “Queries related to billing issues, invoices, payment methods, and refund requests”)
5. Click Save

Thread Categories

Thread categories classify multi-turn conversations (threads). Unlike trace categories, threads are categorized after a period of inactivity rather than immediately.

Sample Rate

The Sample Rate controls the probability that an idle thread will be categorized. Set a value between 0.0 and 1.0.

Time Limit

The Time Limit (in seconds) defines how long a thread must be idle before it becomes eligible for categorization. When a new trace arrives after this idle period, the thread is categorized. For example, a time limit of 300 means a thread must be inactive for 5 minutes before it is categorized.

Create a Thread Category

1. Navigate to Project Settings > Categories > Thread Categories
2. Optionally adjust the Time Limit and Sample Rate
3. Click New Category
4. Enter a Name and Description
5. Click Save

Manage Categories

Each category in the list has a toggle to enable or disable it without deleting it. Disabled categories are not applied to incoming data.

Use the three-dot menu on any category to Edit or Delete it.