diff --git a/chatmastermind/message.py b/chatmastermind/message.py
index 498de88..1fb60b3 100644
--- a/chatmastermind/message.py
+++ b/chatmastermind/message.py
@@ -222,12 +222,36 @@ class Message():
     ai_yaml_key: ClassVar[str] = 'ai'
     model_yaml_key: ClassVar[str] = 'model'
 
+    def __post_init__(self) -> None:
+        # convert some types that are often set wrong
+        if self.tags is not None and not isinstance(self.tags, set):
+            self.tags = set(self.tags)
+        if self.file_path is not None and not isinstance(self.file_path, pathlib.Path):
+            self.file_path = pathlib.Path(self.file_path)
+
     def __hash__(self) -> int:
         """
         The hash value is computed based on immutable members.
         """
         return hash((self.question, self.answer))
 
+    def equals(self, other: MessageInst, tags: bool = True, ai: bool = True,
+               model: bool = True, file_path: bool = True, verbose: bool = False) -> bool:
+        """
+        Compare this message with another one, including the metadata.
+        Return True if everything is identical, False otherwise.
+        """
+        equal: bool = ((not tags or (self.tags == other.tags))
+                       and (not ai or (self.ai == other.ai))  # noqa: W503
+                       and (not model or (self.model == other.model))  # noqa: W503
+                       and (not file_path or (self.file_path == other.file_path))  # noqa: W503
+                       and (self == other))  # noqa: W503
+        if not equal and verbose:
+            print("Messages not equal:")
+            print(self)
+            print(other)
+        return equal
+
     @classmethod
     def from_dict(cls: Type[MessageInst], data: dict[str, Any]) -> MessageInst:
         """
@@ -418,9 +442,6 @@ class Message():
             output.append(self.answer)
         return '\n'.join(output)
 
-    def __str__(self) -> str:
-        return self.to_str(True, True, False)
-
     def to_file(self, file_path: Optional[pathlib.Path]=None) -> None:  # noqa: 11
         """
         Write a Message to the given file. Type is determined based on the suffix.