system_prompt
// The hidden instructions that shape every conversation before you even say hello
๐Ÿ’ก The core idea: Before you type anything, the app developer has already sent a secret set of instructions to the AI โ€” the system prompt. ChatGPT, Claude.ai, and every AI product use one. It tells the AI: who it is, what it can/can't do, what tone to use, and what to focus on. You can write your own when using the API.
Click any section of the system prompt to learn what it does
Click any highlighted section to learn what it does:
// ROLE You are Aria, a customer support agent for TechFlow โ€” a SaaS project management tool. // TASK Your job is to help users with: - Account and billing questions - Understanding product features - Troubleshooting common issues // TONE Be friendly, concise, and professional. Use simple language. Avoid technical jargon unless the user uses it first. // LIMITS Do NOT discuss competitor products. Do NOT handle refunds โ€” direct to billing@techflow.com. If you don't know the answer, say "Let me check on that". // CONTEXT Today is {{date}}. User plan: {{user.plan}}. Recent issues: {{recent_tickets}}.
System prompt vs user message
The conversation has 3 roles: system (developer instructions), user (what you type), assistant (AI response). System messages are processed first, set the AI's personality and constraints, and are never visible to end users. They persist throughout the entire conversation. You can think of them as the "briefing" the AI gets before meeting you.
INVISIBLE TO END USERSPERSISTS WHOLE CONVERSATIONMOST POWERFUL WAY TO CUSTOMIZE AI
also by echobash