# Decoding Guide > How to unpack a UHT hex code into its semantic fingerprint. The Universal Hex Taxonomy (UHT) uses 32 binary traits to encode meaning. This guide explains how to interpret any 8-character hex code (32 bits) by identifying the traits it activates and understanding what those traits imply. --- ## What Is a UHT Code? A UHT code is a fixed-length, 32-bit binary string (or 8-digit hex string) that represents the presence or absence of 32 semantic traits. Example: Hex: 5D AA 7F FF Binary: 01011101 10101010 01111111 11111111 Each bit corresponds to a specific trait (1–32), grouped by semantic layer. --- ## Decoding Steps ### 1. **Convert Hex to Binary** Use any hex-to-binary converter to get a 32-bit binary string. - Each pair of hex digits = 8 bits - Example: `5D` → `01011101` --- ### 2. **Map Bits to Traits** Match each 1 in the bitstring to the corresponding trait number (1–32), using [[UHT Trait Definitions (Full List)]]. #### Bit Positions: | Layer | Bits | Trait Range | |-----------|-------|-------------| | Physical | 1–8 | 1–8 | | Functional| 9–16 | 9–16 | | Abstract | 17–24 | 17–24 | | Social | 25–32 | 25–32 | --- ### 3. **List Active Traits** Once mapped, write down the names of the traits where bits = 1. For example: `5D AA 7F FF` decodes to: - **Physical:** Man-made, Fixed/static, Structural, Perceptible, Passive - **Functional:** Purposeful, Emits output, Human-interactive, System-integrated, System-critical - **Abstract:** Communicative, Logical, Hierarchical, Behavior-guiding, Meta-conceptual, Contextual - **Social:** Culturally constructed, Defined by system, Identity-linked, Governed, Teachable, Visible, Context-sensitive, Widely known --- ### 4. **Interpret the Semantic Fingerprint** Use the trait pattern to answer: - What kind of thing is this? - What does it do? - What domain(s) does it exist in? - What are its constraints, roles, or assumptions? > *Each UHT code describes not just what something is, but how it relates to other things conceptually and functionally.* --- Example: Decoding `93 00 00 00` Binary: 10010011 00000000 00000000 00000000 **Active Traits:** - 1. Physical object - 4. Fixed/static - 6. Perceptible - 7. Material form - 8. Passive **Interpretation:** A non-living, inert, visible, unchanging physical thing — e.g., **a rock** or raw natural material. --- ## Tools - [[HexLens v0.1]] — Visual tool for decoding and comparison - [[UHT Trait Definitions Full List]] — Full trait reference - [[Hex Encoding Guide]] — For reverse engineering from trait set - [[Hex Encoding Template]] --- ## Notes & Tips - **Not all 1s are equal** — Some traits are core, others are contextual. - **Compare codes** using Hamming distance to see what's added/removed. - **Trait sparsity often increases clarity** — fewer traits = tighter identity. - **Meta-models will often include traits 21 (Behavior-guiding), 22 (Self-referential), and 26 (Defined by system).** --- ## Related Pages - [[Hex Encoding Guide]] - [[UHT Overview]] - [[Trait Glossary]] - [[5D AA 7F FF - Formalised Semantic Frameworks]] - [[How to Compare Codes]] --- > UHT decoding is not just analysis — it’s a form of semantic archaeology. Metaclass [[5D AA 7F FF - Formalised Semantic Frameworks]]