diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 34746d5..f4f187b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ import (
 var ErrUserNotFound errific.Err = "user not found"
 
 func main() {
+	// Configure pretty JSON output for readability
+	errific.Configure(errific.OutputJSONPretty)
+
 	// Return an error with context
 	err := GetUser("user-123")
 	fmt.Println(err)
@@ -36,15 +39,23 @@ func GetUser(userID string) error {
 ```
 
 **Output:**
-```
-user not found [main.go:20.GetUser]
+```json
+{
+  "error": "user not found",
+  "code": "USER_404",
+  "caller": "main.go:27.GetUser",
+  "context": {
+    "source": "database",
+    "user_id": "user-123"
+  }
+}
 ```
 
 The error includes:
 - ✅ Automatic caller information (`main.go:20.GetUser`)
-- ✅ Error code (`USER_404`)
-- ✅ Structured context (user_id, source)
-- ✅ JSON serializable for logging
+- ✅ Error code (`USER_404`) visible in output
+- ✅ Structured context (user_id, source) visible in output
+- ✅ JSON output by default for structured logging
 
 ## ✨ Features
 
@@ -133,6 +144,78 @@ jsonBytes, _ := json.Marshal(err)
 log.Info(string(jsonBytes))
 ```
 
+### 🎨 Output Formats & Verbosity
+
+Errific supports multiple output formats and verbosity levels. **By default, errors output as JSON with all metadata visible**.
+
+```go
+// Default: JSON format with full verbosity (shows all metadata)
+errific.Configure() // or Configure(OutputJSON, VerbosityFull)
+
+err := ErrUserNotFound.
+    WithCode("USER_404").
+    WithContext(errific.Context{"user_id": "user-123"})
+
+fmt.Println(err)
+// Output: {"error":"user not found","code":"USER_404","caller":"main.go:20","context":{"user_id":"user-123"}}
+
+// JSON Pretty format (indented JSON for docs/debugging)
+errific.Configure(OutputJSONPretty)
+fmt.Println(err)
+// Output:
+// {
+//   "error": "user not found",
+//   "code": "USER_404",
+//   "caller": "main.go:20",
+//   "context": {
+//     "user_id": "user-123"
+//   }
+// }
+
+// Pretty format (multi-line, human-readable text)
+errific.Configure(OutputPretty)
+fmt.Println(err)
+// Output:
+//   user not found [main.go:20.GetUser]
+//     code: USER_404
+//     context: map[user_id:user-123]
+
+// Compact format (single-line key=value)
+errific.Configure(OutputCompact)
+fmt.Println(err)
+// Output: user not found [main.go:20] code=USER_404 user_id=user-123
+
+// Minimal verbosity (only message + caller, useful for simple logging)
+errific.Configure(VerbosityMinimal)
+fmt.Println(err)
+// Output (JSON): {"error":"user not found","caller":"main.go:20"}
+
+// Standard verbosity (message + caller + code + category + context)
+errific.Configure(VerbosityStandard)
+fmt.Println(err)
+// Output (JSON): {"error":"user not found","code":"USER_404","caller":"main.go:20","context":{"user_id":"user-123"}}
+
+// Custom verbosity (show only specific fields)
+errific.Configure(VerbosityFull, HideContext, HideMCPData)
+fmt.Println(err)
+// Output (JSON): {"error":"user not found","code":"USER_404","caller":"main.go:20","http_status":404}
+```
+
+**Available output formats:**
+- `OutputJSON` (default) - Compact JSON for structured logging
+- `OutputJSONPretty` - Indented JSON for documentation and debugging
+- `OutputPretty` - Multi-line, human-readable text
+- `OutputCompact` - Single-line key=value pairs
+
+**Available verbosity levels:**
+- `VerbosityFull` (default) - Show all non-empty fields
+- `VerbosityStandard` - Show code, category, context
+- `VerbosityMinimal` - Show only message and caller
+- `VerbosityCustom` - Use with `Show*`/`Hide*` flags for granular control
+
+**Granular field control:**
+`HideCode`, `HideCategory`, `HideContext`, `HideHTTPStatus`, `HideRetryMetadata`, `HideMCPData`, `HideTags`, `HideLabels`, `HideTimestamps`
+
 ### JSON Output
 
 ```json
diff --git a/conf.go b/conf.go
index 24f6132..01e6120 100644
--- a/conf.go
+++ b/conf.go
@@ -21,6 +21,19 @@ func Configure(opts ...Option) {
 	c.withStack = false
 	c.trimPrefixes = nil
 	c.trimCWD = false
+	c.outputFormat = OutputJSON
+	c.verbosity = VerbosityFull
+
+	// Default field visibility (used when verbosity is VerbosityFull or VerbosityCustom)
+	c.showCode = true
+	c.showCategory = true
+	c.showContext = true
+	c.showHTTPStatus = true
+	c.showRetryMetadata = true
+	c.showMCPData = true
+	c.showTags = true
+	c.showLabels = true
+	c.showTimestamps = true
 
 	for _, opt := range opts {
 		switch o := opt.(type) {
@@ -38,6 +51,74 @@ func Configure(opts ...Option) {
 
 		case trimCWDOption:
 			c.trimCWD = o
+
+		case outputFormatOption:
+			c.outputFormat = o
+
+		case verbosityOption:
+			c.verbosity = o
+			// Set field visibility based on verbosity level
+			switch o {
+			case VerbosityMinimal:
+				c.showCode = false
+				c.showCategory = false
+				c.showContext = false
+				c.showHTTPStatus = false
+				c.showRetryMetadata = false
+				c.showMCPData = false
+				c.showTags = false
+				c.showLabels = false
+				c.showTimestamps = false
+
+			case VerbosityStandard:
+				c.showCode = true
+				c.showCategory = true
+				c.showContext = true
+				c.showHTTPStatus = false
+				c.showRetryMetadata = false
+				c.showMCPData = false
+				c.showTags = false
+				c.showLabels = false
+				c.showTimestamps = false
+
+			case VerbosityFull:
+				c.showCode = true
+				c.showCategory = true
+				c.showContext = true
+				c.showHTTPStatus = true
+				c.showRetryMetadata = true
+				c.showMCPData = true
+				c.showTags = true
+				c.showLabels = true
+				c.showTimestamps = true
+			}
+
+		case fieldVisibilityOption:
+			// When using field visibility options, automatically switch to VerbosityCustom
+			if c.verbosity != VerbosityCustom {
+				c.verbosity = VerbosityCustom
+			}
+			// Apply the specific field visibility setting
+			switch o.field {
+			case "code":
+				c.showCode = o.show
+			case "category":
+				c.showCategory = o.show
+			case "context":
+				c.showContext = o.show
+			case "http_status":
+				c.showHTTPStatus = o.show
+			case "retry_metadata":
+				c.showRetryMetadata = o.show
+			case "mcp_data":
+				c.showMCPData = o.show
+			case "tags":
+				c.showTags = o.show
+			case "labels":
+				c.showLabels = o.show
+			case "timestamps":
+				c.showTimestamps = o.show
+			}
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -70,6 +151,22 @@ var (
 		// TrimCWD will trim the current working directory from filenames.
 		// Default is false.
 		trimCWD trimCWDOption
+		// Output format: Pretty, JSON, or Compact.
+		// Default is Pretty.
+		outputFormat outputFormatOption
+		// Verbosity controls which fields are shown in Error() output.
+		// Default is VerbosityFull (show all non-empty fields).
+		verbosity verbosityOption
+		// Field visibility flags (used when verbosity is VerbosityCustom)
+		showCode          bool
+		showCategory      bool
+		showContext       bool
+		showHTTPStatus    bool
+		showRetryMetadata bool
+		showMCPData       bool
+		showTags          bool
+		showLabels        bool
+		showTimestamps    bool
 	}
 	cMu sync.RWMutex
 )
@@ -139,6 +236,144 @@ type Option interface {
 	ErrificOption()
 }
 
+// outputFormatOption controls the format of error string output.
+type outputFormatOption int
+
+func (outputFormatOption) ErrificOption() {}
+
+const (
+	// OutputPretty formats errors as human-readable multi-line text with all metadata.
+	//
+	// Example:
+	//   user not found [main.go:20.GetUser]
+	//     code: USER_404
+	//     context: {user_id: user-123, source: database}
+	//     http_status: 400
+	OutputPretty outputFormatOption = iota
+
+	// OutputJSON formats errors as compact JSON.
+	// This is the default.
+	// Useful for structured logging and machine processing.
+	//
+	// Example:
+	//   {"error":"user not found","caller":"main.go:20","code":"USER_404",...}
+	OutputJSON
+
+	// OutputJSONPretty formats errors as indented JSON.
+	// Useful for documentation, debugging, and human-readable JSON output.
+	//
+	// Example:
+	//   {
+	//     "error": "user not found",
+	//     "code": "USER_404",
+	//     "caller": "main.go:20"
+	//   }
+	OutputJSONPretty
+
+	// OutputCompact formats errors as single-line text with key=value pairs.
+	// Useful for log aggregation systems.
+	//
+	// Example:
+	//   user not found [main.go:20] code=USER_404 user_id=user-123 http_status=400
+	OutputCompact
+)
+
+// verbosityOption controls which fields are included in Error() output.
+type verbosityOption int
+
+func (verbosityOption) ErrificOption() {}
+
+const (
+	// VerbosityMinimal shows only the error message and caller.
+	//
+	// Example:
+	//   user not found [main.go:20.GetUser]
+	VerbosityMinimal verbosityOption = iota
+
+	// VerbosityStandard shows message, caller, code, category, and context.
+	// Good balance for most applications.
+	//
+	// Example:
+	//   user not found [main.go:20.GetUser]
+	//     code: USER_404
+	//     category: validation
+	//     context: {user_id: user-123}
+	VerbosityStandard
+
+	// VerbosityFull shows all non-empty fields (default).
+	// Recommended for debugging and development.
+	//
+	// Example:
+	//   user not found [main.go:20.GetUser]
+	//     code: USER_404
+	//     category: validation
+	//     context: {user_id: user-123, source: database}
+	//     http_status: 400
+	//     retryable: true
+	//     correlation_id: trace-123
+	//     help: Check if user exists
+	VerbosityFull
+
+	// VerbosityCustom allows fine-grained control via individual field flags.
+	// Use with Show* and Hide* options.
+	VerbosityCustom
+)
+
+// Field visibility options for VerbosityCustom.
+type fieldVisibilityOption struct {
+	field string
+	show  bool
+}
+
+func (fieldVisibilityOption) ErrificOption() {}
+
+var (
+	// ShowCode includes error code in output.
+	ShowCode = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "code", show: true}
+	// HideCode excludes error code from output.
+	HideCode = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "code", show: false}
+
+	// ShowCategory includes error category in output.
+	ShowCategory = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "category", show: true}
+	// HideCategory excludes error category from output.
+	HideCategory = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "category", show: false}
+
+	// ShowContext includes structured context in output.
+	ShowContext = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "context", show: true}
+	// HideContext excludes structured context from output.
+	HideContext = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "context", show: false}
+
+	// ShowHTTPStatus includes HTTP status code in output.
+	ShowHTTPStatus = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "http_status", show: true}
+	// HideHTTPStatus excludes HTTP status code from output.
+	HideHTTPStatus = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "http_status", show: false}
+
+	// ShowRetryMetadata includes retry information (retryable, retry_after, max_retries) in output.
+	ShowRetryMetadata = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "retry_metadata", show: true}
+	// HideRetryMetadata excludes retry information from output.
+	HideRetryMetadata = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "retry_metadata", show: false}
+
+	// ShowMCPData includes MCP-related fields (correlation_id, help, suggestion, etc.) in output.
+	ShowMCPData = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "mcp_data", show: true}
+	// HideMCPData excludes MCP-related fields from output.
+	HideMCPData = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "mcp_data", show: false}
+
+	// ShowTags includes semantic tags in output.
+	ShowTags = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "tags", show: true}
+	// HideTags excludes semantic tags from output.
+	HideTags = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "tags", show: false}
+
+	// ShowLabels includes key-value labels in output.
+	ShowLabels = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "labels", show: true}
+	// HideLabels excludes key-value labels from output.
+	HideLabels = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "labels", show: false}
+
+	// ShowTimestamps includes timestamp and duration in output.
+	ShowTimestamps = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "timestamps", show: true}
+	// HideTimestamps excludes timestamp and duration from output.
+	HideTimestamps = fieldVisibilityOption{field: "timestamps", show: false}
+)
+
 var root string
 var goroot string
 
diff --git a/errific_test.go b/errific_test.go
index 2e8c597..6752cbe 100644
--- a/errific_test.go
+++ b/errific_test.go
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestErrNew(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	t.Run("basic error", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var ErrTest Err = "test error"
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func TestErrNew(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestErrErrorf(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	t.Run("formatted error", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var ErrTest Err = "test error: %s %d"
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ func TestErrErrorf(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestErrWithf(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	t.Run("basic withf", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var ErrTest Err = "test error"
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ func TestErrWithf(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestErrWrapf(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	t.Run("basic wrapf", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var ErrTest Err = "test error"
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ func TestErrWrapf(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestErrificJoin(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 	err := ErrTest.New().Join(io.EOF, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF)
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ func TestErrificJoin(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestConfigureCallerOption(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("suffix", func(t *testing.T) {
-		Configure(Suffix)
+		Configure(OutputPretty, Suffix)
 
 		var ErrTest Err = "test"
 		err := ErrTest.New()
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ func TestConfigureCallerOption(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("prefix", func(t *testing.T) {
-		Configure(Prefix)
+		Configure(OutputPretty, Prefix)
 
 		var ErrTest Err = "test"
 		err := ErrTest.New()
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ func TestConfigureCallerOption(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("disabled", func(t *testing.T) {
-		Configure(Disabled)
+		Configure(OutputPretty, Disabled)
 
 		var ErrTest Err = "test"
 		err := ErrTest.New()
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ func TestConfigureCallerOption(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestConfigureLayoutOption(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("newline", func(t *testing.T) {
-		Configure(Newline)
+		Configure(OutputPretty, Newline)
 
 		var ErrTest Err = "test"
 		err := ErrTest.New(io.EOF, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF)
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ func TestConfigureLayoutOption(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("inline", func(t *testing.T) {
-		Configure(Inline)
+		Configure(OutputPretty, Inline)
 
 		var ErrTest Err = "test"
 		err := ErrTest.New(io.EOF, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF)
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ func TestConfigureWithStack(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	t.Run("without stack", func(t *testing.T) {
-		Configure() // Default is without stack
+		Configure(OutputPretty) // Default is without stack
 
 		var ErrTest Err = "test"
 		err := ErrTest.New()
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ func TestConfigureWithStack(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestWithStackContents(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure(WithStack)
+	Configure(OutputPretty, WithStack)
 
 	t.Run("stack contains expected file and function", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var ErrTest Err = "test error"
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ func TestConcurrentConfigure(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestConcurrentErrorCreation(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	var ErrTest Err = "test"
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup
@@ -476,7 +476,7 @@ func TestConcurrentErrorCreation(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestUnwrap(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	var (
 		Err1 Err = "error 1"
@@ -501,7 +501,7 @@ func TestUnwrap(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCircularReferenceFixed(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	var ErrTest Err = "test"
 	err := ErrTest.Withf("detail %d", 1)
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ func TestCircularReferenceFixed(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func BenchmarkErrNew(b *testing.B) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
@@ -532,7 +532,7 @@ func BenchmarkErrNew(b *testing.B) {
 }
 
 func BenchmarkErrNewWithWrap(b *testing.B) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	b.ResetTimer()
@@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ func BenchmarkErrNewWithWrap(b *testing.B) {
 }
 
 func BenchmarkErrError(b *testing.B) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 	err := ErrTest.New(io.EOF)
 
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ func BenchmarkErrWithStack(b *testing.B) {
 // ============================================================================
 
 func TestWithContext(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	t.Run("basic context", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var ErrTest Err = "test error"
@@ -616,7 +616,7 @@ func TestWithContext(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestWithCode(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	t.Run("basic code", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var ErrTest Err = "test error"
@@ -638,7 +638,7 @@ func TestWithCode(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestWithCategory(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	t.Run("basic category", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var ErrTest Err = "test error"
@@ -672,7 +672,7 @@ func TestWithCategory(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRetryMetadata(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	t.Run("retryable", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var ErrTest Err = "test error"
@@ -732,7 +732,7 @@ func TestRetryMetadata(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestWithHTTPStatus(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	t.Run("basic http status", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var ErrTest Err = "test error"
@@ -768,7 +768,7 @@ func TestWithHTTPStatus(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestJSONSerialization(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	t.Run("basic json", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var ErrTest Err = "test error"
@@ -864,7 +864,7 @@ func TestJSONSerialization(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAIAgentScenario(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	t.Run("database timeout scenario", func(t *testing.T) {
 		// Simulate a database timeout error with full AI-agent metadata
@@ -950,7 +950,7 @@ func TestAIAgentScenario(t *testing.T) {
 // Phase 2A: MCP & RAG Integration Tests
 
 func TestPhase2A_CorrelationID(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("with correlation ID", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -980,7 +980,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_CorrelationID(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_RequestID(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	err := ErrTest.New().WithRequestID("req-67890")
@@ -992,7 +992,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_RequestID(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_UserID(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	err := ErrTest.New().WithUserID("user-123")
@@ -1004,7 +1004,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_UserID(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_SessionID(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	err := ErrTest.New().WithSessionID("sess-456")
@@ -1016,7 +1016,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_SessionID(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_Help(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	helpText := "Check your configuration and try again"
@@ -1029,7 +1029,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_Help(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_Suggestion(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	suggestion := "Increase timeout to 30 seconds"
@@ -1042,7 +1042,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_Suggestion(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_Docs(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	docsURL := "https://docs.example.com/errors/timeout"
@@ -1055,7 +1055,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_Docs(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_Tags(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("with tags", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -1085,7 +1085,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_Tags(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_Labels(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("with labels map", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -1135,7 +1135,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_Labels(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_Timestamp(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	now := time.Now()
@@ -1148,7 +1148,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_Timestamp(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_Duration(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	duration := 5 * time.Second
@@ -1161,7 +1161,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_Duration(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_MCPCode(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("with MCP code", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -1191,7 +1191,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_MCPCode(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_ToMCPError(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("with explicit MCP code", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -1273,7 +1273,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_MCPErrorType(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_JSONSerialization(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("Phase 2A fields in JSON", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -1351,7 +1351,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_JSONSerialization(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_MCPIntegration(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	t.Run("MCP tool error scenario", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var ErrToolExecution Err = "tool execution failed"
@@ -1466,7 +1466,7 @@ func TestMCPErrorCodeConstants(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestToMCPError_EdgeCases(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("nil error returns zero MCPError", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -1537,7 +1537,7 @@ func TestMCPError_ErrorFormat(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_LabelMerging(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("WithLabels then WithLabel merges", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -1574,7 +1574,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_LabelMerging(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_WithLabelsNil(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	err := ErrTest.New().WithLabels(nil)
@@ -1587,7 +1587,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_WithLabelsNil(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_EmptyTags(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	err := ErrTest.New().WithTags()
@@ -1645,7 +1645,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_HelpersWithStdlibErrors(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_TimestampEdgeCases(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("no timestamp returns zero time", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -1679,7 +1679,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_TimestampEdgeCases(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_DurationEdgeCases(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("no duration returns zero", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -1712,7 +1712,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_DurationEdgeCases(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_SpecialCharacters(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	err := ErrTest.New().
@@ -1745,7 +1745,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_SpecialCharacters(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_JSONZeroValues(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	// Create error with no Phase 2A fields set
@@ -1771,7 +1771,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_JSONZeroValues(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_ChainAllMethods(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	now := time.Now()
@@ -1832,7 +1832,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_ChainAllMethods(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPhase2A_LabelKeyEdgeCases(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	err := ErrTest.New().
@@ -1862,7 +1862,7 @@ func TestPhase2A_LabelKeyEdgeCases(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func BenchmarkWithContext(b *testing.B) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test"
 	ctx := Context{"key": "value"}
 
@@ -1873,7 +1873,7 @@ func BenchmarkWithContext(b *testing.B) {
 }
 
 func BenchmarkJSONMarshal(b *testing.B) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test"
 	err := ErrTest.New().
 		WithCode("ERR_001").
diff --git a/error.go b/error.go
index 558e99b..c722cf6 100644
--- a/error.go
+++ b/error.go
@@ -56,15 +56,13 @@ func (e Err) New(errs ...error) errific {
 		a[i] = errs[i]
 	}
 
-	caller, stack, cfgCaller, cfgLayout, cfgWithStack := callstack(a)
+	caller, stack, cfg := callstack(a)
 	return errific{
-		err:          e,
-		errs:         errs,
-		caller:       caller,
-		stack:        stack,
-		cfgCaller:    cfgCaller,
-		cfgLayout:    cfgLayout,
-		cfgWithStack: cfgWithStack,
+		err:    e,
+		errs:   errs,
+		caller: caller,
+		stack:  stack,
+		cfg:    cfg,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -75,15 +73,13 @@ func (e Err) New(errs ...error) errific {
 //
 //	return ErrProcessThing.Errorf("abc")
 func (e Err) Errorf(a ...any) errific {
-	caller, stack, cfgCaller, cfgLayout, cfgWithStack := callstack(a)
+	caller, stack, cfg := callstack(a)
 	return errific{
-		err:          fmt.Errorf(e.Error(), a...),
-		caller:       caller,
-		unwrap:       []error{e},
-		stack:        stack,
-		cfgCaller:    cfgCaller,
-		cfgLayout:    cfgLayout,
-		cfgWithStack: cfgWithStack,
+		err:    fmt.Errorf(e.Error(), a...),
+		caller: caller,
+		unwrap: []error{e},
+		stack:  stack,
+		cfg:    cfg,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -93,16 +89,14 @@ func (e Err) Errorf(a ...any) errific {
 //
 //	return ErrProcessThing.Withf("id: '%s'", "abc")
 func (e Err) Withf(format string, a ...any) errific {
-	caller, stack, cfgCaller, cfgLayout, cfgWithStack := callstack(a)
+	caller, stack, cfg := callstack(a)
 	format = e.Error() + ": " + format
 	return errific{
-		err:          fmt.Errorf(format, a...),
-		caller:       caller,
-		unwrap:       []error{e},
-		stack:        stack,
-		cfgCaller:    cfgCaller,
-		cfgLayout:    cfgLayout,
-		cfgWithStack: cfgWithStack,
+		err:    fmt.Errorf(format, a...),
+		caller: caller,
+		unwrap: []error{e},
+		stack:  stack,
+		cfg:    cfg,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -113,15 +107,13 @@ func (e Err) Withf(format string, a ...any) errific {
 //
 //	return ErrProcessThing.Wrapf("cause: %w", err)
 func (e Err) Wrapf(format string, a ...any) errific {
-	caller, stack, cfgCaller, cfgLayout, cfgWithStack := callstack(a)
+	caller, stack, cfg := callstack(a)
 	return errific{
-		err:          e,
-		errs:         []error{fmt.Errorf(format, a...)},
-		caller:       caller,
-		stack:        stack,
-		cfgCaller:    cfgCaller,
-		cfgLayout:    cfgLayout,
-		cfgWithStack: cfgWithStack,
+		err:    e,
+		errs:   []error{fmt.Errorf(format, a...)},
+		caller: caller,
+		stack:  stack,
+		cfg:    cfg,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -283,6 +275,25 @@ func (m MCPError) Error() string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("MCP error %d: %s", m.Code, m.Message)
 }
 
+// configSnapshot captures configuration at error creation time.
+// This prevents race conditions and ensures consistent formatting.
+type configSnapshot struct {
+	caller         callerOption
+	layout         layoutOption
+	withStack      bool
+	outputFormat   outputFormatOption
+	verbosity      verbosityOption
+	showCode       bool
+	showCategory   bool
+	showContext    bool
+	showHTTPStatus bool
+	showRetryMeta  bool
+	showMCPData    bool
+	showTags       bool
+	showLabels     bool
+	showTimestamps bool
+}
+
 type errific struct {
 	err        error         // primary error.
 	errs       []error       // errors used in string output, and satisfy errors.Is.
@@ -310,39 +321,47 @@ type errific struct {
 	timestamp     time.Time         // when the error occurred.
 	duration      time.Duration     // operation duration before error.
 	// Configuration snapshot at error creation time
-	cfgCaller    callerOption // caller config when error was created.
-	cfgLayout    layoutOption // layout config when error was created.
-	cfgWithStack bool         // withStack config when error was created.
+	cfg configSnapshot
 }
 
-func (e errific) Error() (msg string) {
+func (e errific) Error() string {
 	// Use configuration snapshot from error creation time
 	// This prevents race conditions and ensures consistent formatting
-	caller := e.cfgCaller
-	layout := e.cfgLayout
-	withStack := e.cfgWithStack
+	switch e.cfg.outputFormat {
+	case OutputJSON:
+		return e.formatJSON()
+	case OutputJSONPretty:
+		return e.formatJSONPretty()
+	case OutputCompact:
+		return e.formatCompact()
+	default: // OutputPretty
+		return e.formatPretty()
+	}
+}
+
+// formatPretty formats the error as human-readable multi-line text.
+func (e errific) formatPretty() string {
+	var msg string
 
-	switch caller {
+	// Build the base message with caller
+	switch e.cfg.caller {
 	case Disabled:
-		// Include error message without caller information
 		msg = e.err.Error()
-
 	case Prefix:
 		msg = fmt.Sprintf("[%s] %s", e.caller, e.err.Error())
-
-	default:
+	default: // Suffix
 		msg = fmt.Sprintf("%s [%s]", e.err.Error(), e.caller)
 	}
 
-	switch layout {
+	// Add wrapped errors
+	switch e.cfg.layout {
 	case Inline:
 		for i := range e.errs {
 			if e.errs[i] != nil {
 				msg = fmt.Sprintf("%s ↩ %s", msg, e.errs[i].Error())
 			}
 		}
-
-	default:
+	default: // Newline
 		for i := range e.errs {
 			if e.errs[i] != nil {
 				msg = fmt.Sprintf("%s\n%s", msg, e.errs[i].Error())
@@ -350,17 +369,188 @@ func (e errific) Error() (msg string) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	if withStack && len(e.stack) > 0 {
-		// Append stack trace at the end
-		// Note: If wrapping another errific error with a stack, both stacks may appear.
-		// This is intentional - each error in the chain shows its creation point.
-		// To avoid duplicate stacks, the stack from wrapped errors is reused when possible.
+	// Add metadata fields based on verbosity
+	var fields []string
+
+	if e.cfg.showCode && e.code != "" {
+		fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  code: %s", e.code))
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showCategory && e.category != "" {
+		fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  category: %s", e.category))
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showContext && len(e.context) > 0 {
+		fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  context: %v", e.context))
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showHTTPStatus && e.httpStatus != 0 {
+		fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  http_status: %d", e.httpStatus))
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showRetryMeta {
+		if e.retryable {
+			fields = append(fields, "  retryable: true")
+		}
+		if e.retryAfter > 0 {
+			fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  retry_after: %s", e.retryAfter))
+		}
+		if e.maxRetries > 0 {
+			fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  max_retries: %d", e.maxRetries))
+		}
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showMCPData {
+		if e.mcpCode != 0 {
+			fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  mcp_code: %d", e.mcpCode))
+		}
+		if e.correlationID != "" {
+			fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  correlation_id: %s", e.correlationID))
+		}
+		if e.requestID != "" {
+			fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  request_id: %s", e.requestID))
+		}
+		if e.userID != "" {
+			fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  user_id: %s", e.userID))
+		}
+		if e.sessionID != "" {
+			fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  session_id: %s", e.sessionID))
+		}
+		if e.help != "" {
+			fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  help: %s", e.help))
+		}
+		if e.suggestion != "" {
+			fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  suggestion: %s", e.suggestion))
+		}
+		if e.docsURL != "" {
+			fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  docs: %s", e.docsURL))
+		}
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showTags && len(e.tags) > 0 {
+		fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  tags: %v", e.tags))
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showLabels && len(e.labels) > 0 {
+		fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  labels: %v", e.labels))
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showTimestamps {
+		if !e.timestamp.IsZero() {
+			fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  timestamp: %s", e.timestamp.Format(time.RFC3339)))
+		}
+		if e.duration > 0 {
+			fields = append(fields, fmt.Sprintf("  duration: %s", e.duration))
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Append all fields
+	if len(fields) > 0 {
+		msg += "\n" + strings.Join(fields, "\n")
+	}
+
+	// Add stack trace if configured
+	if e.cfg.withStack && len(e.stack) > 0 {
 		msg += string(e.stack)
 	}
 
 	return msg
 }
 
+// formatJSON formats the error as compact JSON.
+func (e errific) formatJSON() string {
+	data, err := json.Marshal(e)
+	if err != nil {
+		// Fallback to simple error message if marshaling fails
+		return fmt.Sprintf(`{"error":"%s"}`, e.err.Error())
+	}
+	return string(data)
+}
+
+// formatJSONPretty formats the error as indented JSON.
+func (e errific) formatJSONPretty() string {
+	data, err := json.MarshalIndent(e, "", "  ")
+	if err != nil {
+		// Fallback to simple error message if marshaling fails
+		return fmt.Sprintf(`{\n  "error": "%s"\n}`, e.err.Error())
+	}
+	return string(data)
+}
+
+// formatCompact formats the error as single-line text with key=value pairs.
+func (e errific) formatCompact() string {
+	var parts []string
+
+	// Base message with caller
+	switch e.cfg.caller {
+	case Disabled:
+		parts = append(parts, e.err.Error())
+	case Prefix:
+		parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("[%s] %s", e.caller, e.err.Error()))
+	default: // Suffix
+		parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("%s [%s]", e.err.Error(), e.caller))
+	}
+
+	// Add wrapped errors inline
+	for i := range e.errs {
+		if e.errs[i] != nil {
+			parts = append(parts, "↩", e.errs[i].Error())
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Add metadata as key=value pairs
+	if e.cfg.showCode && e.code != "" {
+		parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("code=%s", e.code))
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showCategory && e.category != "" {
+		parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("category=%s", e.category))
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showContext && len(e.context) > 0 {
+		for k, v := range e.context {
+			parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("%s=%v", k, v))
+		}
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showHTTPStatus && e.httpStatus != 0 {
+		parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("http_status=%d", e.httpStatus))
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showRetryMeta {
+		if e.retryable {
+			parts = append(parts, "retryable=true")
+		}
+		if e.retryAfter > 0 {
+			parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("retry_after=%s", e.retryAfter))
+		}
+		if e.maxRetries > 0 {
+			parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("max_retries=%d", e.maxRetries))
+		}
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showMCPData {
+		if e.correlationID != "" {
+			parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("correlation_id=%s", e.correlationID))
+		}
+		if e.requestID != "" {
+			parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("request_id=%s", e.requestID))
+		}
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showTags && len(e.tags) > 0 {
+		parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("tags=%v", e.tags))
+	}
+
+	if e.cfg.showLabels && len(e.labels) > 0 {
+		for k, v := range e.labels {
+			parts = append(parts, fmt.Sprintf("label_%s=%s", k, v))
+		}
+	}
+
+	return strings.Join(parts, " ")
+}
+
 func (e errific) Join(errs ...error) error {
 	e.errs = append(e.errs, errs...)
 	return e
@@ -766,17 +956,36 @@ func unwrapStack(errs []any) []byte {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func callstack(errs []any) (caller string, stack []byte, cfgCaller callerOption, cfgLayout layoutOption, cfgWithStack bool) {
+// captureConfig captures the current configuration as a snapshot.
+// This must be called with cMu held (either RLock or Lock).
+func captureConfig() configSnapshot {
+	return configSnapshot{
+		caller:         c.caller,
+		layout:         c.layout,
+		withStack:      bool(c.withStack),
+		outputFormat:   c.outputFormat,
+		verbosity:      c.verbosity,
+		showCode:       c.showCode,
+		showCategory:   c.showCategory,
+		showContext:    c.showContext,
+		showHTTPStatus: c.showHTTPStatus,
+		showRetryMeta:  c.showRetryMetadata,
+		showMCPData:    c.showMCPData,
+		showTags:       c.showTags,
+		showLabels:     c.showLabels,
+		showTimestamps: c.showTimestamps,
+	}
+}
+
+func callstack(errs []any) (caller string, stack []byte, cfg configSnapshot) {
 	pc := make([]uintptr, 32)
 	n := runtime.Callers(3, pc)
 	if n == 0 {
 		// Capture config snapshot even if no caller info
 		cMu.RLock()
-		cfgCaller = c.caller
-		cfgLayout = c.layout
-		cfgWithStack = bool(c.withStack)
+		cfg = captureConfig()
 		cMu.RUnlock()
-		return "", stack, cfgCaller, cfgLayout, cfgWithStack
+		return "", stack, cfg
 	}
 
 	frames := runtime.CallersFrames(pc)
@@ -785,23 +994,21 @@ func callstack(errs []any) (caller string, stack []byte, cfgCaller callerOption,
 
 	// Capture configuration snapshot once at error creation time
 	cMu.RLock()
-	cfgCaller = c.caller
-	cfgLayout = c.layout
-	cfgWithStack = bool(c.withStack)
+	cfg = captureConfig()
 	cMu.RUnlock()
 
-	if !cfgWithStack {
-		return caller, stack, cfgCaller, cfgLayout, cfgWithStack
+	if !cfg.withStack {
+		return caller, stack, cfg
 	}
 
 	stack = unwrapStack(errs)
 
 	if len(stack) > 0 {
-		return caller, stack, cfgCaller, cfgLayout, cfgWithStack
+		return caller, stack, cfg
 	}
 
 	if !more {
-		return caller, stack, cfgCaller, cfgLayout, cfgWithStack
+		return caller, stack, cfg
 	}
 
 	for {
@@ -816,7 +1023,7 @@ func callstack(errs []any) (caller string, stack []byte, cfgCaller callerOption,
 		}
 	}
 
-	return caller, stack, cfgCaller, cfgLayout, cfgWithStack
+	return caller, stack, cfg
 }
 
 func parseFrame(frame runtime.Frame) string {
diff --git a/examples/example_errorf_test.go b/examples/example_errorf_test.go
index bd970fb..9a9b1d6 100644
--- a/examples/example_errorf_test.go
+++ b/examples/example_errorf_test.go
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func ExampleErrorf() {
-	Configure() // default configuration
+	Configure(OutputPretty) // default configuration
 	// format an error with parameters.
 	var ErrExample Err = "formatted error: %s %w"
 	err := ErrExample.Errorf("io error", io.EOF)
diff --git a/examples/example_new_test.go b/examples/example_new_test.go
index a462f86..e054d75 100644
--- a/examples/example_new_test.go
+++ b/examples/example_new_test.go
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func ExampleNew() {
-	Configure() // default configuration
+	Configure(OutputPretty) // default configuration
 	// w/out wrapping errors.
 	var ErrExample Err = "example error"
 	err := ErrExample.New()
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ func ExampleNew() {
 }
 
 func Example_newWrapError() {
-	Configure() // default configuration
+	Configure(OutputPretty) // default configuration
 	// wrap an error.
 	var ErrExample Err = "example error"
 	err := ErrExample.New(io.EOF)
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ func Example_newWrapError() {
 }
 
 func Example_newWrapErrors() {
-	Configure() // default configuration
+	Configure(OutputPretty) // default configuration
 	// wrap multiple errors.
 	var ErrExample Err = "example error"
 	err := ErrExample.New(io.ErrUnexpectedEOF, io.EOF)
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func Example_newWrapErrors() {
 }
 
 func Example_newNest() {
-	Configure() // default configuration
+	Configure(OutputPretty) // default configuration
 	// wrapped errific error chain.
 	var (
 		Err1 Err = "error 1"
diff --git a/examples/example_output_formats_test.go b/examples/example_output_formats_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..19fc3db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/example_output_formats_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+package examples
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"github.com/leefernandes/errific"
+)
+
+// Example_outputFormats demonstrates the different output formats available.
+func Example_outputFormats() {
+	var ErrUserNotFound errific.Err = "user not found"
+
+	// Pretty format (default) - shows all metadata
+	errific.Configure(errific.OutputPretty, errific.VerbosityFull)
+	err := ErrUserNotFound.
+		WithCode("USER_404").
+		WithCategory(errific.CategoryNotFound).
+		WithContext(errific.Context{
+			"user_id": "user-123",
+			"source":  "database",
+		}).
+		WithHTTPStatus(404)
+
+	fmt.Println("Pretty format:")
+	fmt.Println(err)
+
+	// Minimal verbosity
+	errific.Configure(errific.VerbosityMinimal)
+	err2 := ErrUserNotFound.
+		WithCode("USER_404").
+		WithContext(errific.Context{"user_id": "user-123"})
+
+	fmt.Println("\nMinimal verbosity:")
+	fmt.Println(err2)
+
+	// JSON format
+	errific.Configure(errific.OutputJSON)
+	err3 := ErrUserNotFound.
+		WithCode("USER_404").
+		WithContext(errific.Context{"user_id": "user-123"})
+
+	fmt.Println("\nJSON format:")
+	fmt.Println(err3)
+
+	// Compact format
+	errific.Configure(errific.OutputCompact)
+	err4 := ErrUserNotFound.
+		WithCode("USER_404").
+		WithContext(errific.Context{"user_id": "user-123"})
+
+	fmt.Println("\nCompact format:")
+	fmt.Println(err4)
+
+	// Output varies based on file paths and caller info
+}
diff --git a/examples/example_phase1_test.go b/examples/example_phase1_test.go
index 92f0feb..a72153e 100644
--- a/examples/example_phase1_test.go
+++ b/examples/example_phase1_test.go
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func ExampleContext() {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty, VerbosityMinimal)
 	// Add structured context to errors for better debugging
 	var ErrDatabaseQuery Err = "database query failed"
 	err := ErrDatabaseQuery.New(io.EOF).WithContext(Context{
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ func ExampleContext() {
 }
 
 func Example_errorCode() {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	// Use error codes for machine-readable identification
 	var ErrAPITimeout Err = "API request timeout"
 	err := ErrAPITimeout.New().
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func Example_errorCode() {
 }
 
 func Example_retryable() {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	// Mark errors as retryable with suggested retry strategy
 	var ErrRateLimit Err = "rate limit exceeded"
 	err := ErrRateLimit.New().
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ func Example_retryable() {
 }
 
 func Example_httpStatus() {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	// Set HTTP status codes for automatic response handling
 	var ErrValidation Err = "validation failed"
 	err := ErrValidation.New().
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ func Example_httpStatus() {
 }
 
 func Example_json() {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	// Serialize errors to JSON for logging and APIs
 	var ErrDatabase Err = "database connection failed"
 	err := ErrDatabase.New(io.EOF).
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ func Example_json() {
 }
 
 func Example_aiAgentScenario() {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	// Complete example for AI agent automated error handling
 	var ErrServiceCall Err = "external service call failed"
 	err := ErrServiceCall.New().
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ func Example_aiAgentScenario() {
 }
 
 func Example_chainedMethods() {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	// Chain all Phase 1 methods together
 	var ErrProcessing Err = "processing failed"
 	err := ErrProcessing.New(io.EOF).
diff --git a/examples/example_phase2a_test.go b/examples/example_phase2a_test.go
index dc1aa10..1348186 100644
--- a/examples/example_phase2a_test.go
+++ b/examples/example_phase2a_test.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ var (
 // Example_mcpToolError demonstrates MCP tool error handling with correlation tracking,
 // recovery suggestions, and semantic tags for RAG systems.
 func Example_mcpToolError() {
-	errific.Configure()
+	errific.Configure(errific.OutputPretty, errific.VerbosityMinimal)
 
 	// MCP tool error with full metadata for AI agents
 	err := ErrMCPToolExecution.New().
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ func Example_mcpToolError() {
 // Example_mcpErrorFormat demonstrates converting an errific error to MCP JSON-RPC 2.0 format
 // for use in MCP server error responses.
 func Example_mcpErrorFormat() {
-	errific.Configure()
+	errific.Configure(errific.OutputPretty)
 
 	err := ErrMCPToolExecution.New().
 		WithMCPCode(errific.MCPInvalidParams).
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ func Example_mcpErrorFormat() {
 // Example_correlationTracking demonstrates using correlation IDs to track errors
 // across distributed MCP tool calls.
 func Example_correlationTracking() {
-	errific.Configure()
+	errific.Configure(errific.OutputPretty)
 
 	correlationID := "trace-12345"
 
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ func Example_correlationTracking() {
 // Example_recoverySuggestions demonstrates providing recovery guidance for AI agents
 // to automatically resolve errors.
 func Example_recoverySuggestions() {
-	errific.Configure()
+	errific.Configure(errific.OutputPretty)
 
 	var ErrDatabaseTimeout errific.Err = "database query timeout"
 
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ func Example_recoverySuggestions() {
 // Example_semanticTags demonstrates using semantic tags for RAG systems
 // to categorize and search errors.
 func Example_semanticTags() {
-	errific.Configure()
+	errific.Configure(errific.OutputPretty)
 
 	var ErrNetworkTimeout errific.Err = "network timeout"
 
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ func Example_semanticTags() {
 // Example_labelsForFiltering demonstrates using key-value labels
 // to filter and group errors for monitoring and alerting.
 func Example_labelsForFiltering() {
-	errific.Configure()
+	errific.Configure(errific.OutputPretty)
 
 	var ErrServiceDegraded errific.Err = "service degraded"
 
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ func Example_labelsForFiltering() {
 // Example_timestampAndDuration demonstrates tracking when an error occurred
 // and how long the operation took before failing.
 func Example_timestampAndDuration() {
-	errific.Configure()
+	errific.Configure(errific.OutputPretty)
 
 	var ErrSlowQuery errific.Err = "slow database query"
 
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ func Example_timestampAndDuration() {
 // Example_phase2aJSONSerialization demonstrates JSON serialization of all Phase 2A fields
 // for structured logging and monitoring systems.
 func Example_phase2aJSONSerialization() {
-	errific.Configure()
+	errific.Configure(errific.OutputPretty)
 
 	var ErrCompleteExample errific.Err = "complete Phase 2A example"
 
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ func Example_phase2aJSONSerialization() {
 // Example_mcpInvalidParams demonstrates handling MCP invalid parameter errors
 // with detailed validation context.
 func Example_mcpInvalidParams() {
-	errific.Configure()
+	errific.Configure(errific.OutputPretty)
 
 	var ErrInvalidToolParams errific.Err = "invalid tool parameters"
 
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ func Example_mcpInvalidParams() {
 // Example_aiAgentWorkflow demonstrates a complete AI agent error handling workflow
 // using Phase 2A features for automated decision-making.
 func Example_aiAgentWorkflow() {
-	errific.Configure()
+	errific.Configure(errific.OutputPretty)
 
 	var ErrToolFailed errific.Err = "tool execution failed"
 
diff --git a/examples/example_trimprefixes_test.go b/examples/example_trimprefixes_test.go
index 338d562..f543c4c 100644
--- a/examples/example_trimprefixes_test.go
+++ b/examples/example_trimprefixes_test.go
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ func ExampleTrimPrefixes() {
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
-	Configure(TrimPrefixes(wd + "/"))
+	Configure(OutputPretty, TrimPrefixes(wd + "/"))
 	var ErrExample Err = "example error"
 	err = ErrExample.New()
 	fmt.Println(err)
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func ExampleTrimPrefixes() {
 }
 
 func ExampleTrimCWD() {
-	Configure(TrimCWD)
+	Configure(OutputPretty, TrimCWD)
 	var ErrExample Err = "example error"
 	err := ErrExample.New()
 	fmt.Println(err)
diff --git a/examples/example_withf_test.go b/examples/example_withf_test.go
index 540eeb2..8bd4a8c 100644
--- a/examples/example_withf_test.go
+++ b/examples/example_withf_test.go
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func Example_withf() {
-	Configure() // default configuration
+	Configure(OutputPretty) // default configuration
 	var ErrExample Err = "example error"
 	err := ErrExample.Withf("int (%d) string (%s): %w", 123, "yarn", io.EOF)
 	fmt.Println(err)
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ func Example_withf() {
 }
 
 func Example_withfNest() {
-	Configure() // default configuration
+	Configure(OutputPretty) // default configuration
 	var (
 		Err1 Err = "error 1"
 		Err2 Err = "error 2"
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func Example_withfNest() {
 }
 
 func Example_withfChain() {
-	Configure() // default configuration
+	Configure(OutputPretty) // default configuration
 	var ErrExample Err = "example error"
 
 	err := ErrExample.
diff --git a/examples/example_wrapf_test.go b/examples/example_wrapf_test.go
index 704a021..a24842f 100644
--- a/examples/example_wrapf_test.go
+++ b/examples/example_wrapf_test.go
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func Example_wrapf() {
-	Configure() // default configuration
+	Configure(OutputPretty) // default configuration
 	// wrap a formatted error.
 	var ErrExample Err = "example error"
 	err := ErrExample.Wrapf("formatted %d: %w", 1, io.EOF)
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ func Example_wrapf() {
 }
 
 func Example_wrapfNest() {
-	Configure() // default configuration
+	Configure(OutputPretty) // default configuration
 	// wrapped & formatted errific error chain.
 	var (
 		Err1 Err = "error 1"
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ func Example_wrapfNest() {
 }
 
 func Example_wrapfChain() {
-	Configure() // default configuration
+	Configure(OutputPretty) // default configuration
 	var ErrExample Err = "example error"
 
 	err := ErrExample.
diff --git a/tests/concurrency_test.go b/tests/concurrency_test.go
index be79a8e..7d1ee2b 100644
--- a/tests/concurrency_test.go
+++ b/tests/concurrency_test.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import (
 // ============================================================================
 
 func TestConcurrent_Getters(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "concurrent test"
 
 	err := ErrTest.New().
@@ -55,16 +55,16 @@ func TestConcurrent_ConfigureAndCreate(t *testing.T) {
 		go func(idx int) {
 			defer wg.Done()
 			if idx%2 == 0 {
-				Configure(Suffix, Newline)
+				Configure(OutputPretty, Suffix, Newline)
 			} else {
-				Configure(Prefix, Inline)
+				Configure(OutputPretty, Prefix, Inline)
 			}
 			_ = ErrTest.New()
 		}(i)
 	}
 	wg.Wait()
 
-	Configure() // Reset
+	Configure(OutputPretty) // Reset
 }
 
 // ============================================================================
@@ -76,11 +76,11 @@ func TestRaceCondition_ConfigurationSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
 
 	t.Run("error formatting consistent after Configure", func(t *testing.T) {
 		// Create error with Suffix config
-		Configure(Suffix)
+		Configure(OutputPretty, Suffix)
 		err := ErrTest.New()
 
 		// Change configuration
-		Configure(Prefix)
+		Configure(OutputPretty, Prefix)
 
 		// Error should still use Suffix (snapshot at creation time)
 		msg := err.Error()
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ func TestRaceCondition_ConfigurationSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
 
 	t.Run("concurrent Configure and Error calls", func(t *testing.T) {
 		// This test should pass race detector
-		Configure(Suffix, Newline)
+		Configure(OutputPretty, Suffix, Newline)
 
 		var wg sync.WaitGroup
 		errors := make([]error, 100)
@@ -114,9 +114,9 @@ func TestRaceCondition_ConfigurationSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
 			go func(n int) {
 				defer wg.Done()
 				if n%2 == 0 {
-					Configure(Prefix, Inline)
+					Configure(OutputPretty, Prefix, Inline)
 				} else {
-					Configure(Suffix, Newline)
+					Configure(OutputPretty, Suffix, Newline)
 				}
 			}(i)
 		}
@@ -137,15 +137,15 @@ func TestRaceCondition_ConfigurationSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
 
 	t.Run("stack config snapshot works", func(t *testing.T) {
 		// Create error without stack
-		Configure()
+		Configure(OutputPretty)
 		err1 := ErrTest.New()
 
 		// Enable stack
-		Configure(WithStack)
+		Configure(OutputPretty, WithStack)
 		err2 := ErrTest.New()
 
 		// Disable stack again
-		Configure()
+		Configure(OutputPretty)
 		err3 := ErrTest.New()
 
 		// Each error should use its creation-time config
@@ -171,11 +171,11 @@ func TestRaceCondition_ConfigurationSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
 
 	t.Run("layout config snapshot works", func(t *testing.T) {
 		// Create error with Newline layout
-		Configure(Newline)
+		Configure(OutputPretty, Newline)
 		err1 := ErrTest.New(errors.New("wrapped1"), errors.New("wrapped2"))
 
 		// Change to Inline
-		Configure(Inline)
+		Configure(OutputPretty, Inline)
 		err2 := ErrTest.New(errors.New("wrapped1"), errors.New("wrapped2"))
 
 		// err1 should use newlines
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ func TestRaceCondition_ConfigurationSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
 // ============================================================================
 
 func TestImmutability_NoMutation(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test"
 
 	err1 := ErrTest.New().WithCode("CODE1")
@@ -217,15 +217,15 @@ func TestImmutability_NoMutation(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestImmutability_MultipleConfigureCalls(t *testing.T) {
 	// Test that errors capture config at creation time
-	Configure(Suffix, Newline)
+	Configure(OutputPretty, Suffix, Newline)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test"
 
 	err1 := ErrTest.New()
 
-	Configure(Prefix, Inline)
+	Configure(OutputPretty, Prefix, Inline)
 	err2 := ErrTest.New()
 
-	Configure(Disabled)
+	Configure(OutputPretty, Disabled)
 	err3 := ErrTest.New()
 
 	// Each error should use its creation-time config
diff --git a/tests/forwarding_test.go b/tests/forwarding_test.go
index 040d89c..fd29f31 100644
--- a/tests/forwarding_test.go
+++ b/tests/forwarding_test.go
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import (
 
 // TestForwardingMethods tests that With___ methods can be called directly on Err
 func TestForwardingMethods(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("WithCode without explicit New", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ func TestForwardingMethods(t *testing.T) {
 
 // TestForwardingMethodChaining tests that chaining works efficiently
 func TestForwardingMethodChaining(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("chained calls work", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ func TestForwardingMethodChaining(t *testing.T) {
 
 // TestForwardingBackwardsCompatibility tests that old style still works
 func TestForwardingBackwardsCompatibility(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("explicit New still works", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ func TestForwardingBackwardsCompatibility(t *testing.T) {
 
 // TestForwardingNewCalledOnce tests that New() is only called once
 func TestForwardingNewCalledOnce(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("caller info shows forwarding method", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ func TestForwardingNewCalledOnce(t *testing.T) {
 
 // TestForwardingWithWrappedErrors tests forwarding with wrapped errors
 func TestForwardingWithWrappedErrors(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 	var ErrOther Err = "other error"
 
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ func TestForwardingWithWrappedErrors(t *testing.T) {
 
 // TestForwardingValidationStillWorks tests that validation still applies
 func TestForwardingValidationStillWorks(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("invalid MCP code panics with forwarding", func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/tests/integration_test.go b/tests/integration_test.go
index c45e9c7..9459ba6 100644
--- a/tests/integration_test.go
+++ b/tests/integration_test.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import (
 
 // TestIntegration_WebAPIWithFullErrorHandling tests a complete web API scenario
 func TestIntegration_WebAPIWithFullErrorHandling(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	
 	var (
 		ErrInvalidInput = Err("invalid input")
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ func TestIntegration_WebAPIWithFullErrorHandling(t *testing.T) {
 
 // TestIntegration_MCPToolServer tests MCP tool server scenario
 func TestIntegration_MCPToolServer(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	
 	var ErrToolExecution = Err("tool execution failed")
 	
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ func TestIntegration_MCPToolServer(t *testing.T) {
 
 // TestIntegration_DistributedTracing tests distributed tracing scenario
 func TestIntegration_DistributedTracing(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	
 	var (
 		ErrServiceA = Err("service A failed")
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ func containsAny(s string, substrs ...string) bool {
 
 // TestIntegration_AIAgentWithSelfHealing tests AI agent self-healing scenario
 func TestIntegration_AIAgentWithSelfHealing(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	
 	var ErrAPICall = Err("API call failed")
 	
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ func TestIntegration_AIAgentWithSelfHealing(t *testing.T) {
 
 // TestIntegration_RAGErrorCategorization tests RAG system error categorization
 func TestIntegration_RAGErrorCategorization(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	
 	var ErrEmbedding = Err("embedding generation failed")
 	
diff --git a/tests/serialization_test.go b/tests/serialization_test.go
index c3d5773..183592d 100644
--- a/tests/serialization_test.go
+++ b/tests/serialization_test.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import (
 // ============================================================================
 
 func TestToMCPError_WithNilError(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	mcpErr := ToMCPError(nil)
 	// ToMCPError returns zero MCPError for nil
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ func TestToMCPError_WithNilError(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestToMCPError_WithStandardError(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 
 	stdErr := errors.New("standard error")
 	mcpErr := ToMCPError(stdErr)
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func TestToMCPError_WithStandardError(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestMCPError_AllCodes(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	codes := []int{
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ func TestMCPError_AllCodes(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestMCPCode_Validation(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("valid MCP codes accepted", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ func TestMCPCode_Validation(t *testing.T) {
 // ============================================================================
 
 func TestMarshalJSON_WithAllFields(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "complete error"
 
 	err := ErrTest.New().
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ func TestMarshalJSON_WithAllFields(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestMarshalJSON_WithSpecialCharacters(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	// Test with special characters that need escaping
diff --git a/tests/validation_test.go b/tests/validation_test.go
index 4846bca..a4b9d16 100644
--- a/tests/validation_test.go
+++ b/tests/validation_test.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import (
 // ============================================================================
 
 func TestHTTPStatus_Validation(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("valid HTTP status codes accepted", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func TestHTTPStatus_Validation(t *testing.T) {
 // ============================================================================
 
 func TestMaxRetries_Validation(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("non-negative values accepted", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ func TestMaxRetries_Validation(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRetryAfter_Validation(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("non-negative durations accepted", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ func TestRetryAfter_Validation(t *testing.T) {
 // ============================================================================
 
 func TestEmptyString_Validation(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("empty code ignored", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ func TestEmptyString_Validation(t *testing.T) {
 // ============================================================================
 
 func TestChainedMethods_LastWins(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("multiple WithMCPCode calls - last wins", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ func TestChainedMethods_LastWins(t *testing.T) {
 // ============================================================================
 
 func TestBoundaryValues_Extremes(t *testing.T) {
-	Configure()
+	Configure(OutputPretty)
 	var ErrTest Err = "test error"
 
 	t.Run("MCP code boundaries", func(t *testing.T) {