> This page is for version v2025-04-21.
> For other versions, use one of these documentation indexes:
> - v2026-02-09 (default): https://docs.extend.ai/2026-02-09/llms.txt
> - v2025-04-21: https://docs.extend.ai/2025-04-21/llms.txt
> - v2024-12-23: https://docs.extend.ai/2024-12-23/llms.txt

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.extend.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
>
> ## API version
> The current API version is `2026-02-09`, served at the site root (no version prefix in URLs).
> If this page URL contains `/2025-04-21/` or `/2024-12-23/`, you are reading an older API version.
> Prefer the current docs at https://docs.extend.ai/llms.txt unless the user explicitly needs that older version.
> Do not treat older-version pages as the source of truth for new integrations.

# Best Practices: Extractors

> A comprehensive guide to configuring extractors effectively, from basic schema setup to advanced optimization techniques.

## Overview

This guide provides comprehensive best practices for configuring extractors effectively in Extend. Whether you're just getting started or optimizing advanced extraction workflows, these guidelines will help you build robust, efficient document processing solutions.

## Getting Started

If you're new to Extend, start with our [Getting Started guide](/2025-04-21/product/getting-started) to understand the platform fundamentals before diving into these best practices.

## Guide Structure

1. **[Field Names and Prompt Crafting](field-names-and-prompt-crafting)** - Schema definition, field naming conventions, descriptions, and extraction rules
2. **[Advanced Options](advanced-options)** - Extraction Light vs Performance, chunking & merging strategies
3. **[Latency Optimization](latency-optimization)** - Quick guide to reducing processing latency

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**Next: [Field Names and Prompt Crafting](field-names-and-prompt-crafting)**