# The category object

## Attributes

- `object` (string, required):
- `id` (string, required): Id of the category in mint.
- `name` (string, required): Name, unique (case-insensitive) on its level.
- `parent_id` (nullable string, required): Id of the top-level category of a subcategory; null for top-level categories.
- `external_key` (nullable string, required): Key of the connected system (e.g. a module number); null if not set.
- `project_count` (integer): Projects assigned directly to this category (not counting subcategories). Only with include=project_count.
- `children` (array of category objects, required): Subcategories of a top-level category; always empty for subcategories.
  - `object` (string, required):
  - `id` (string, required): Id of the category in mint.
  - `name` (string, required): Name, unique (case-insensitive) on its level.
  - `parent_id` (nullable string, required): Id of the top-level category of a subcategory; null for top-level categories.
  - `external_key` (nullable string, required): Key of the connected system (e.g. a module number); null if not set.
  - `project_count` (integer): Projects assigned directly to this category (not counting subcategories). Only with include=project_count.
  - `children` (array of category objects, required): Subcategories of a top-level category; always empty for subcategories.

## Example

```json
{
  "object": "category",
  "id": "mk7t2q9x4v1n",
  "name": "Marketing",
  "parent_id": null,
  "external_key": "MKT",
  "project_count": 12,
  "children": []
}
```