Custom Instructions
AI system configurations that shape model behavior and capabilities
Core Idea: Custom instructions are configurable directives given to AI language models that define their behavior, capabilities, tone, and approach to tasks, effectively creating a specialized version of the AI for specific use cases.
Key Elements
Key Principles
- Instructions can define the AI's role, persona, tone, and expertise
- They shape how the AI approaches problems and structures responses
- Well-crafted instructions create consistent, predictable behavior
- They can enhance the AI's capabilities in specific domains
Implementation Components
- Role definition: Establishing the AI's identity and purpose
- Conversation approach: Defining interaction style and tone
- Question frameworks: Structuring how the AI gathers information
- Tool usage directives: Guiding how and when tools are integrated
- Output formatting: Specifying response structure and organization
Use Cases
- Creating specialized assistants for particular domains
- Standardizing AI outputs for consistent team workflows
- Enhancing AI performance on complex or multi-step tasks
- Building AI projects that solve specific problems
Common Patterns
- Defining clear roles and personas ("Act as a...")
- Specifying output formats and structures
- Creating step-by-step workflows for complex tasks
- Integrating external tools for enhanced capabilities
- Providing examples of ideal responses
Additional Connections
- Broader Context: AI Prompt Engineering (custom instructions are a sophisticated form of prompting)
- Applications: Cloud Projects (custom instructions power specialized AI projects)
- See Also: System Message (the technical implementation of custom instructions in many LLM architectures)
References
- PRD Creator with Claude 3.7 (March 2025) - 2025-03-21T15-21-21 PRD Creator with Claude 3.7
- Anthropic. "Claude Documentation: Custom Instructions." Anthropic Website.
- OpenAI. "GPT Custom Instructions Guide." OpenAI Documentation.