> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.oncanary.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# About assets

> Learn how assets connect equipment details, hierarchy, work, parts, meters, and history.

An asset represents a machine, system, vehicle, facility item, or maintainable component. It is the central record for understanding what the team maintains and what has happened to it.

## Asset details

An asset can include a name, one or more asset types, operating status, criticality, description, image, location, serial number, manufacturer, model, year, parent asset, custom fields, and scannable identifiers.

Related records can include:

* Parent and sub-assets
* Open and completed work orders
* Procedure and work-order templates
* Compatible parts and meters
* Manuals and other documents
* Status, maintenance, and audit history

## Status and criticality

Canary supports **Online**, **Offline**, and **Not monitored** asset states. Administrators can configure offline reasons and status propagation behavior for asset hierarchies.

Criticality is **Critical**, **Important**, or **Normal**. Use it to communicate operational importance consistently; status records the current operating state.

## Asset hierarchy

Each asset can have one parent and multiple sub-assets. Canary prevents cycles and enforces the organization's maximum hierarchy depth. Moving an asset moves its descendant subtree with it.

Use hierarchy levels for components that need their own work, status, meter, document, or cost history. Use the asset's location to represent physical placement.

## Find and review assets

Use list, table, or hierarchy views to browse equipment. The asset detail view brings together details, current insights, linked records, and chronological history.

## Lifecycle

The **Delete** action archives the selected asset and every descendant in the same subtree. Linked work and other historical records remain available. Canary blocks the action when the subtree contains an active meter or an automation dependency.

Use **Show deleted** to find and restore an archived batch. Canary restores safe hierarchy links; an unavailable parent leaves the restored asset at the top level.

## Related pages

* [Create and manage assets](/help/assets/create-and-manage-assets)
* [Locations](/help/assets/locations)
* [Asset documents](/help/assets/documents)
* [QR codes and barcodes](/help/assets/qr-codes)