diff --git a/docs/1.intro.md b/docs/1.intro.md
index 5b9b327..c270a16 100644
--- a/docs/1.intro.md
+++ b/docs/1.intro.md
@@ -77,8 +77,10 @@ function my_plugin_register_ability(){
 		'permission_callback' => function( $input ) {
 			return current_user_can( 'manage_options' );
 		},
-    'show_in_rest' => true,
-	));
+    'meta' => array(
+      'show_in_rest' => true,
+    ),
+	) );
 }
 ```
 
diff --git a/docs/2.getting-started.md b/docs/2.getting-started.md
index f024301..73be8fd 100644
--- a/docs/2.getting-started.md
+++ b/docs/2.getting-started.md
@@ -122,9 +122,8 @@ function my_plugin_register_abilities() {
         'execute_callback'    => 'my_plugin_get_site_title',
         'permission_callback' => '__return_true', // Everyone can access this
         'meta'                => array(
-            'category' => 'site-info',
-        ),
-        'show_in_rest'        => true, // Optional: expose via REST API
+            'category'    => 'site-info',
+            'show_in_rest' => true, // Optional: expose via REST API
     ) );
 }
 
diff --git a/docs/3.registering-abilities.md b/docs/3.registering-abilities.md
index 04d491a..fd8e57f 100644
--- a/docs/3.registering-abilities.md
+++ b/docs/3.registering-abilities.md
@@ -27,10 +27,10 @@ The `$args` array accepts the following keys:
   - The callback receives one optional argument: it can have any type as defined in the input schema (e.g., `array`, `object`, `string`, etc.).
   - The callback should return a boolean (`true` if the user has permission, `false` otherwise), or a `WP_Error` object on failure.
   - If the input does not validate against the input schema, the permission callback will not be called, and a `WP_Error` will be returned instead.
-- `show_in_rest` (`boolean`, **Optional**): Whether to expose this ability via the REST API. Default: `false`.
-  - When `true`, the ability will be listed in REST API responses and can be executed via REST endpoints.
-  - When `false`, the ability will be hidden from REST API listings and cannot be executed via REST endpoints, but remains available for internal PHP usage.
 - `meta` (`array`, **Optional**): An associative array for storing arbitrary additional metadata about the ability.
+  - `show_in_rest` (`boolean`, **Optional**): Whether to expose this ability via the REST API. Default: `false`.
+    - When `true`, the ability will be listed in REST API responses and can be executed via REST endpoints.
+    - When `false`, the ability will be hidden from REST API listings and cannot be executed via REST endpoints, but remains available for internal PHP usage.
 
 ## Ability ID Convention
 
diff --git a/docs/5.rest-api.md b/docs/5.rest-api.md
index da3546a..7953dd8 100644
--- a/docs/5.rest-api.md
+++ b/docs/5.rest-api.md
@@ -8,12 +8,12 @@ Access to all Abilities REST API endpoints requires an authenticated user (see t
 
 ## Controlling REST API Exposure
 
-By default, registered abilities are **not** exposed via the REST API. You can control whether an individual ability appears in the REST API by using the `show_in_rest` argument when registering the ability:
+By default, registered abilities are **not** exposed via the REST API. You can control whether an individual ability appears in the REST API by using the `show_in_rest` meta when registering the ability:
 
 - `show_in_rest => true`: The ability is listed in REST API responses and can be executed via REST endpoints.
 - `show_in_rest => false` (default): The ability is hidden from REST API listings and cannot be executed via REST endpoints. The ability remains available for internal PHP usage via `wp_execute_ability()`.
 
-Abilities with `show_in_rest => false` will return a `rest_ability_not_found` error if accessed via REST endpoints.
+Abilities with meta `show_in_rest => false` will return a `rest_ability_not_found` error if accessed via REST endpoints.
 
 ## Schema
 
diff --git a/includes/abilities-api.php b/includes/abilities-api.php
index fd68e50..6d6c3c3 100644
--- a/includes/abilities-api.php
+++ b/includes/abilities-api.php
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
  *                                  alphanumeric characters, dashes and the forward slash.
  * @param array<string,mixed> $args An associative array of arguments for the ability. This should include
  *                                  `label`, `description`, `input_schema`, `output_schema`, `execute_callback`,
- *                                  `permission_callback`, `annotations`, `meta`, `show_in_rest`, and `ability_class`.
+ *                                  `permission_callback`, `annotations`, `meta`, and `ability_class`.
  * @return ?\WP_Ability An instance of registered ability on success, null on failure.
  *
  * @phpstan-param array{
@@ -35,9 +35,11 @@
  *   permission_callback?: callable( mixed $input= ): (bool|\WP_Error),
  *   input_schema?: array<string,mixed>,
  *   output_schema?: array<string,mixed>,
- *   annotations?: array<string,mixed>,
- *   meta?: array<string,mixed>,
- *   show_in_rest?: bool,
+ *   annotations?: array<string,(bool|string)>,
+ *   meta?: array{
+ *     show_in_rest?: bool,
+ *     ...<string,mixed>,
+ *   },
  *   ability_class?: class-string<\WP_Ability>,
  *   ...<string, mixed>
  * } $args
diff --git a/includes/abilities-api/class-wp-abilities-registry.php b/includes/abilities-api/class-wp-abilities-registry.php
index 3161727..f3c2503 100644
--- a/includes/abilities-api/class-wp-abilities-registry.php
+++ b/includes/abilities-api/class-wp-abilities-registry.php
@@ -57,9 +57,11 @@ final class WP_Abilities_Registry {
 	 *   permission_callback?: callable( mixed $input= ): (bool|\WP_Error),
 	 *   input_schema?: array<string,mixed>,
 	 *   output_schema?: array<string,mixed>,
-	 *   annotations?: array<string,mixed>,
-	 *   meta?: array<string,mixed>,
-	 *   show_in_rest?: bool,
+	 *   annotations?: array<string,(bool|string)>,
+	 *   meta?: array{
+	 *     show_in_rest?: bool,
+	 *     ...<string, mixed>
+	 *   },
 	 *   ability_class?: class-string<\WP_Ability>,
 	 *   ...<string, mixed>
 	 * } $args
diff --git a/includes/abilities-api/class-wp-ability.php b/includes/abilities-api/class-wp-ability.php
index e4b6839..fc422f0 100644
--- a/includes/abilities-api/class-wp-ability.php
+++ b/includes/abilities-api/class-wp-ability.php
@@ -19,6 +19,15 @@
  * @see WP_Abilities_Registry
  */
 class WP_Ability {
+
+	/**
+	 * The default value for the `show_in_rest` meta.
+	 *
+	 * @since n.e.x.t
+	 * @var bool
+	 */
+	protected const DEFAULT_SHOW_IN_REST = false;
+
 	/**
 	 * The default ability annotations.
 	 * They are not guaranteed to provide a faithful description of ability behavior.
@@ -114,15 +123,7 @@ class WP_Ability {
 	 * @since 0.1.0
 	 * @var array<string,mixed>
 	 */
-	protected $meta = array();
-
-	/**
-	 * Whether to show the ability in the REST API.
-	 *
-	 * @since n.e.x.t
-	 * @var bool
-	 */
-	protected $show_in_rest = false;
+	protected $meta;
 
 	/**
 	 * Constructor.
@@ -138,7 +139,7 @@ class WP_Ability {
 	 * @param string              $name The name of the ability, with its namespace.
 	 * @param array<string,mixed> $args An associative array of arguments for the ability. This should include
 	 *                                  `label`, `description`, `input_schema`, `output_schema`, `execute_callback`,
-	 *                                  `permission_callback`, `annotations`, `meta`, and `show_in_rest`.
+	 *                                  `permission_callback`, `annotations`, and `meta`.
 	 */
 	public function __construct( string $name, array $args ) {
 		$this->name = $name;
@@ -186,9 +187,11 @@ public function __construct( string $name, array $args ) {
 	 *   permission_callback: callable( mixed $input= ): (bool|\WP_Error),
 	 *   input_schema?: array<string,mixed>,
 	 *   output_schema?: array<string,mixed>,
-	 *   annotations?: array<string,mixed>,
-	 *   meta?: array<string,mixed>,
-	 *   show_in_rest?: bool,
+	 *   annotations?: array<string,(bool|string)>,
+	 *   meta?: array{
+	 *     show_in_rest?: bool,
+	 *     ...<string, mixed>
+	 *   },
 	 *   ...<string, mixed>,
 	 * } $args
 	 */
@@ -243,17 +246,23 @@ protected function prepare_properties( array $args ): array {
 			);
 		}
 
-		if ( isset( $args['show_in_rest'] ) && ! is_bool( $args['show_in_rest'] ) ) {
+		if ( isset( $args['meta']['show_in_rest'] ) && ! is_bool( $args['meta']['show_in_rest'] ) ) {
 			throw new \InvalidArgumentException(
-				esc_html__( 'The ability properties should provide a valid `show_in_rest` boolean.' )
+				esc_html__( 'The ability meta should provide a valid `show_in_rest` boolean.' )
 			);
 		}
 
-		// Set defaults for optional args.
+		// Set defaults for optional meta.
 		$args['annotations'] = wp_parse_args(
 			$args['annotations'] ?? array(),
 			static::$default_annotations
 		);
+		$args['meta']        = wp_parse_args(
+			$args['meta'] ?? array(),
+			array(
+				'show_in_rest' => self::DEFAULT_SHOW_IN_REST,
+			)
+		);
 
 		return $args;
 	}
@@ -337,14 +346,16 @@ public function get_meta(): array {
 	}
 
 	/**
-	 * Checks whether the ability should be shown in the REST API.
+	 * Retrieves a specific metadata item for the ability.
 	 *
 	 * @since n.e.x.t
 	 *
-	 * @return bool True if the ability should be shown in the REST API, false otherwise.
+	 * @param string $key           The metadata key to retrieve.
+	 * @param mixed  $default_value Optional. The default value to return if the metadata item is not found. Default `null`.
+	 * @return mixed The value of the metadata item, or the default value if not found.
 	 */
-	public function show_in_rest(): bool {
-		return $this->show_in_rest;
+	public function get_meta_item( string $key, $default_value = null ) {
+		return array_key_exists( $key, $this->meta ) ? $this->meta[ $key ] : $default_value;
 	}
 
 	/**
diff --git a/includes/rest-api/endpoints/class-wp-rest-abilities-list-controller.php b/includes/rest-api/endpoints/class-wp-rest-abilities-list-controller.php
index 8e43729..7ab279e 100644
--- a/includes/rest-api/endpoints/class-wp-rest-abilities-list-controller.php
+++ b/includes/rest-api/endpoints/class-wp-rest-abilities-list-controller.php
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ public function get_items( $request ) {
 		$abilities = array_filter(
 			wp_get_abilities(),
 			static function ( $ability ) {
-				return $ability->show_in_rest();
+				return $ability->get_meta_item( 'show_in_rest' );
 			}
 		);
 
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ static function ( $ability ) {
 	 */
 	public function get_item( $request ) {
 		$ability = wp_get_ability( $request->get_param( 'name' ) );
-		if ( ! $ability || ! $ability->show_in_rest() ) {
+		if ( ! $ability || ! $ability->get_meta_item( 'show_in_rest' ) ) {
 			return new \WP_Error(
 				'rest_ability_not_found',
 				__( 'Ability not found.' ),
diff --git a/includes/rest-api/endpoints/class-wp-rest-abilities-run-controller.php b/includes/rest-api/endpoints/class-wp-rest-abilities-run-controller.php
index 76675d3..eabd02c 100644
--- a/includes/rest-api/endpoints/class-wp-rest-abilities-run-controller.php
+++ b/includes/rest-api/endpoints/class-wp-rest-abilities-run-controller.php
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ public function run_ability( $request ) {
 	 */
 	public function run_ability_permissions_check( $request ) {
 		$ability = wp_get_ability( $request->get_param( 'name' ) );
-		if ( ! $ability || ! $ability->show_in_rest() ) {
+		if ( ! $ability || ! $ability->get_meta_item( 'show_in_rest' ) ) {
 			return new \WP_Error(
 				'rest_ability_not_found',
 				__( 'Ability not found.' ),
diff --git a/tests/unit/abilities-api/wpAbilitiesRegistry.php b/tests/unit/abilities-api/wpAbilitiesRegistry.php
index 85fbc57..139f834 100644
--- a/tests/unit/abilities-api/wpAbilitiesRegistry.php
+++ b/tests/unit/abilities-api/wpAbilitiesRegistry.php
@@ -60,9 +60,9 @@ public function set_up(): void {
 				return true;
 			},
 			'meta'                => array(
-				'category' => 'math',
+				'category'     => 'math',
+				'show_in_rest' => true,
 			),
-			'show_in_rest'        => true,
 		);
 	}
 
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ public function test_register_invalid_meta_type() {
 	 * @expectedIncorrectUsage WP_Abilities_Registry::register
 	 */
 	public function test_register_invalid_show_in_rest_type() {
-		self::$test_ability_args['show_in_rest'] = 5;
+		self::$test_ability_args['meta']['show_in_rest'] = 5;
 
 		$result = $this->registry->register( self::$test_ability_name, self::$test_ability_args );
 		$this->assertNull( $result );
diff --git a/tests/unit/abilities-api/wpAbility.php b/tests/unit/abilities-api/wpAbility.php
index 2768df0..6b57157 100644
--- a/tests/unit/abilities-api/wpAbility.php
+++ b/tests/unit/abilities-api/wpAbility.php
@@ -117,27 +117,80 @@ public function test_annotations_throws_exception() {
 	}
 
 	/**
-	 * Tests that `show_in_rest` defaults to false when not provided.
+	 * Tests that getting non-existing metadata item returns default value.
 	 */
-	public function test_show_in_rest_defaults_to_false() {
+	public function test_meta_get_non_existing_item_returns_default() {
 		$ability = new WP_Ability( self::$test_ability_name, self::$test_ability_properties );
 
-		$this->assertFalse( $ability->show_in_rest(), '`show_in_rest` should default to false.' );
+		$this->assertNull(
+			$ability->get_meta_item( 'non_existing' ),
+			'Non-existing metadata item should return null.'
+		);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Tests that getting non-existing metadata item with custom default returns that default.
+	 */
+	public function test_meta_get_non_existing_item_with_custom_default() {
+		$ability = new WP_Ability( self::$test_ability_name, self::$test_ability_properties );
+
+		$this->assertSame(
+			'default_value',
+			$ability->get_meta_item( 'non_existing', 'default_value' ),
+			'Non-existing metadata item should return custom default value.'
+		);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Tests that `show_in_rest` metadata defaults to false when not provided.
+	 */
+	public function test_meta_show_in_rest_defaults_to_false() {
+		$ability = new WP_Ability( self::$test_ability_name, self::$test_ability_properties );
+
+		$this->assertFalse(
+			$ability->get_meta_item( 'show_in_rest' ),
+			'`show_in_rest` metadata should default to false.'
+		);
 	}
 
 	/**
-	 * Tests that `show_in_rest` can be set to true.
+	 * Tests that `show_in_rest` metadata can be set to true.
 	 */
-	public function test_show_in_rest_can_be_set_to_true() {
+	public function test_meta_show_in_rest_can_be_set_to_true() {
 		$args = array_merge(
 			self::$test_ability_properties,
 			array(
-				'show_in_rest' => true,
+				'meta' => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
+			)
+		);
+		$ability = new WP_Ability( self::$test_ability_name, $args );
+
+		$this->assertTrue(
+			$ability->get_meta_item( 'show_in_rest' ),
+			'`show_in_rest` metadata should be true.'
+		);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Tests that `show_in_rest` can be set to false.
+	 */
+	public function test_show_in_rest_can_be_set_to_false() {
+		$args = array_merge(
+			self::$test_ability_properties,
+			array(
+				'meta' => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => false,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 		$ability = new WP_Ability( self::$test_ability_name, $args );
 
-		$this->assertTrue( $ability->show_in_rest(), '`show_in_rest` should be true.' );
+		$this->assertFalse(
+			$ability->get_meta_item( 'show_in_rest' ),
+			'`show_in_rest` metadata should be false.'
+		);
 	}
 
 	/**
@@ -147,12 +200,14 @@ public function test_show_in_rest_throws_exception() {
 		$args = array_merge(
 			self::$test_ability_properties,
 			array(
-				'show_in_rest' => 5,
+				'meta' => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => 5,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
 		$this->expectException( InvalidArgumentException::class );
-		$this->expectExceptionMessage( 'The ability properties should provide a valid `show_in_rest` boolean.' );
+		$this->expectExceptionMessage( 'The ability meta should provide a valid `show_in_rest` boolean.' );
 
 		new WP_Ability( self::$test_ability_name, $args );
 	}
diff --git a/tests/unit/abilities-api/wpRegisterAbility.php b/tests/unit/abilities-api/wpRegisterAbility.php
index ecf0d48..8c37cb2 100644
--- a/tests/unit/abilities-api/wpRegisterAbility.php
+++ b/tests/unit/abilities-api/wpRegisterAbility.php
@@ -65,9 +65,9 @@ public function set_up(): void {
 				'destructive' => false,
 			),
 			'meta'                => array(
-				'category' => 'math',
+				'category'     => 'math',
+				'show_in_rest' => true,
 			),
-			'show_in_rest'        => true,
 		);
 	}
 
@@ -147,8 +147,7 @@ public function test_register_valid_ability(): void {
 			),
 			$result->get_annotations()
 		);
-		$this->assertSame( self::$test_ability_args['meta'], $result->get_meta() );
-		$this->assertSame( self::$test_ability_args['show_in_rest'], $result->show_in_rest() );
+		$this->assertEquals( self::$test_ability_args['meta'], $result->get_meta() );
 		$this->assertTrue(
 			$result->check_permissions(
 				array(
diff --git a/tests/unit/rest-api/wpRestAbilitiesListController.php b/tests/unit/rest-api/wpRestAbilitiesListController.php
index 6c16e0b..d476f78 100644
--- a/tests/unit/rest-api/wpRestAbilitiesListController.php
+++ b/tests/unit/rest-api/wpRestAbilitiesListController.php
@@ -122,9 +122,9 @@ private function register_test_abilities(): void {
 					return current_user_can( 'read' );
 				},
 				'meta'                => array(
-					'category' => 'math',
+					'category'     => 'math',
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
 				),
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -168,9 +168,9 @@ private function register_test_abilities(): void {
 					'readonly' => true,
 				),
 				'meta'                => array(
-					'category' => 'system',
+					'category'     => 'system',
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
 				),
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -198,7 +198,9 @@ private function register_test_abilities(): void {
 						return "Result from ability {$i}";
 					},
 					'permission_callback' => '__return_true',
-					'show_in_rest'        => true,
+					'meta'                => array(
+						'show_in_rest' => true,
+					),
 				)
 			);
 		}
@@ -472,7 +474,9 @@ public function test_ability_name_with_valid_special_characters(): void {
 					return array( 'success' => true );
 				},
 				'permission_callback' => '__return_true',
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
diff --git a/tests/unit/rest-api/wpRestAbilitiesRunController.php b/tests/unit/rest-api/wpRestAbilitiesRunController.php
index fda7282..0f86310 100644
--- a/tests/unit/rest-api/wpRestAbilitiesRunController.php
+++ b/tests/unit/rest-api/wpRestAbilitiesRunController.php
@@ -121,7 +121,9 @@ private function register_test_abilities(): void {
 				'permission_callback' => static function () {
 					return current_user_can( 'edit_posts' );
 				},
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -164,7 +166,9 @@ private function register_test_abilities(): void {
 				'annotations'         => array(
 					'readonly' => true,
 				),
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -192,7 +196,9 @@ private function register_test_abilities(): void {
 					// Only allow if secret matches
 					return isset( $input['secret'] ) && 'valid_secret' === $input['secret'];
 				},
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -219,7 +225,9 @@ private function register_test_abilities(): void {
 					return null;
 				},
 				'permission_callback' => '__return_true',
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -233,7 +241,9 @@ private function register_test_abilities(): void {
 					return new \WP_Error( 'test_error', 'This is a test error' );
 				},
 				'permission_callback' => '__return_true',
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -250,7 +260,9 @@ private function register_test_abilities(): void {
 					return 'not a number'; // Invalid - schema expects number
 				},
 				'permission_callback' => '__return_true',
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -274,7 +286,9 @@ private function register_test_abilities(): void {
 				'annotations'         => array(
 					'readonly' => true,
 				),
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 	}
@@ -335,7 +349,9 @@ public function test_regular_ability_requires_post(): void {
 					return 'success';
 				},
 				'permission_callback' => '__return_true',
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -627,7 +643,9 @@ public function test_output_validation_failure_returns_error(): void {
 					return array( 'wrong_field' => 'value' );
 				},
 				'permission_callback' => '__return_true',
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -669,7 +687,9 @@ public function test_input_validation_failure_returns_error(): void {
 					return array( 'status' => 'success' );
 				},
 				'permission_callback' => '__return_true',
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -704,7 +724,9 @@ public function test_ability_without_annotations_defaults_to_post_method(): void
 					return array( 'executed' => true );
 				},
 				'permission_callback' => '__return_true',
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -738,7 +760,9 @@ public function test_empty_input_handling(): void {
 				'annotations'         => array(
 					'readonly' => true,
 				),
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -751,7 +775,9 @@ public function test_empty_input_handling(): void {
 					return array( 'input_was_empty' => 0 === func_num_args() );
 				},
 				'permission_callback' => '__return_true',
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -824,7 +850,9 @@ public function test_php_type_strings_in_input(): void {
 					return array( 'echo' => $input );
 				},
 				'permission_callback' => '__return_true',
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -868,7 +896,9 @@ public function test_mixed_encoding_in_input(): void {
 					return array( 'echo' => $input );
 				},
 				'permission_callback' => '__return_true',
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);
 
@@ -928,7 +958,9 @@ public function test_invalid_http_methods( string $method ): void {
 					return array( 'success' => true );
 				},
 				'permission_callback' => '__return_true', // No permission requirements
-				'show_in_rest'        => true,
+				'meta'                => array(
+					'show_in_rest' => true,
+				),
 			)
 		);