# Working with Metadata

Metadata provides structured information about your pages and controls how they display.

## What is metadata.ini?

Every folder can have a `metadata.ini` file that defines:

- Title (overrides automatic title extraction)
- Date (overrides folder-based date detection)
- Summary (appears in list views)
- Custom template selection
- Other custom fields

## Example metadata.ini

```ini
title = "My Custom Title"
date = "2024-11-20"
summary = "A brief description that appears in lists"

[settings]
page_template = "list-grid"
show_date = false
```

## Common Use Cases

**Override automatic titles** – If you want a title different from the folder name.

**Set explicit dates** – When the folder name doesn't include a date.

**Add summaries** – Give context in list views without showing full content.

**Choose templates** – Different sections can use different list templates.

**Hide metadata** – Set `show_date = false` to hide dates in lists.

## Custom Fields

You can add any fields you want:

```ini
author = "Jane Doe"
category = "Tutorial"
tags = "metadata, configuration, tutorial"
```

Then access them in custom templates via `$metadata['author']`.

## This Page's Metadata

Check out `metadata.ini` in this folder to see how the title, date, and summary are defined.