# Creating a Custom Layout

You can easily create a custom layout object by creating a cfc that extends our abstract layout object: `logbox.system.logging.Layout` and implementing a `format()` method. Below you can see the method signature:

```javascript
<---  format --->
<cffunction name="format" output="false" access="public" returntype="string" hint="Format a logging event message into your own format">
    <cfargument name="logEvent" type="logbox.system.logging.LogEvent"   required="true"   hint="The logging event to use to create a message.">
</cffunction>
```

All you need to do is inspect the logging event and create your very own message and then return it back. That's it! You thought there was more?


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://logbox.ortusbooks.com/5.x/extending-logbox/creating-a-custom-layout.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
