> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rootcause.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.rootcause.ai/data-sources-and-connectors/foundational-ontologies.md).

# Foundational Ontologies

Curated, versioned packages of a prebuilt ontology plus licensed data, installed in one step.

Foundational ontologies are curated, versioned packages of a prebuilt ontology plus its licensed data, ready to install into any workspace. Use one to model drivers your own data does not contain: weather and emissions, macroeconomic indicators, market prices, news and events.

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## The library

Browse packages at organisation level under **Manage, Foundational Ontologies**, or from a workspace through the **Foundational Ontologies Library** card in the Import Manager. The library lists each package with its domain, trust tier, version, and how many concepts and sources it carries.

<figure><img src="https://1662811113-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FBXg3gZLR0e2Q8SzeQmql%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0f725a2b3f2543665deb5f02aa76d20fe11daeae%2Frc-foundational-library.png?alt=media" alt="Foundational Ontologies Library with packages, trust tiers and versions"><figcaption><p>The library: curated packages with domain, trust tier, version, and concept and source counts.</p></figcaption></figure>

Trust tiers mark how far a package has been vetted: **Curated** packages are reviewed and maintained; exploratory ones are published as-is.

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## Inside a package

A package page has three tabs: an overview, the ontology (its concepts) and the data sources it ships. Two parts of the overview matter before installing:

* **Anchor contract**: the entity, time and location columns the package guarantees, so its data lines up with yours after installing. The Climate package, for example, anchors on ISO-3166 country and a monthly period.
* **Versions**: published versions, newest first. Packages are versioned like software, and every source ships with provenance: where the data comes from, its licence and attribution.

<figure><img src="https://1662811113-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FBXg3gZLR0e2Q8SzeQmql%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1ceea4c0d5f783b8a7a4ac09dd88d672ce7c1050%2Frc-foundational-package.png?alt=media" alt="Climate package page with anchor contract and version history"><figcaption><p>The Climate package: anchor contract, published versions and provenance.</p></figcaption></figure>

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## Installing

1. Open the package and click **Install**.
2. Choose where it goes: **into an existing workspace**, adding the package's concepts and sources alongside what the workspace already has, or **a new workspace** containing only this package.
3. Optionally narrow the install to selected concepts and a slice of the anchors, for example specific countries or a date window, so you only carry the data you need.

<figure><img src="https://1662811113-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FBXg3gZLR0e2Q8SzeQmql%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8f833d5e9f314fb0f693892b03eab1f8b6f8213d%2Frc-foundational-install.png?alt=media" alt="Install dialog with existing-workspace and new-workspace options"><figcaption><p>Install into an existing workspace, or start a new one from the package.</p></figcaption></figure>

The package lands as a separate **layer** in the workspace ontology: you can show it, hide it, or remove it later without touching your own concepts. Its data sources join the workspace like any other source and can be joined against your data through the shared anchors.

An installed package remembers its version policy: it can follow the newest published version of the package or stay pinned to the version you installed.

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## Availability

The Foundational Ontologies Library is a platform opt-in. If the card is missing from your Import Manager and the Manage section, ask your administrator about enabling it for the organisation.