2 How does a system prompt work? #
System prompts serve as a map that guides the AI model through the complexities of natural language understanding and generation. Describing the task, the desired output format, and setting limits to the AI’s behavior helps AI models generate accurate and relevant responses.
System prompts are processed before the user input. This placement ensures that the AI has access to the necessary context, instructions and guidelines before processing the user’s prompt.
2.1 Content of a system prompt #
A typical system prompt contains the following elements:
- Context
This part sets the scene or provides the necessary information for the AI to understand the situation.
Example: "You are a travel agent recommending vacation destinations."
- Task
A clear instruction on what the AI should do. This is the core of the system prompt, directing the AI to perform a specific task.
Example: "Generate text summaries and annual reports."
- Guidelines
These are rules that the AI must follow. They might limit the output format, length, tone or other criteria.
Example: "The recommendations should be less than 150 words each, and they should appeal to adventure travelers."
- Format
If you want the response in a particular structure, the system prompt should mention that. It can be a list, a paragraph, a dialog or a code block.
Example: "Respond in a bullet point list."
- Tone
You can instruct the AI to generate responses with a particular tone, such as formal, casual, humorous or technical.
Example: "Write in a friendly, conversational tone."
- Example
System prompts may include examples of expected outputs to guide the AI in the right direction.
Example: "For example, 'Bali: a tropical paradise with beautiful beaches and rich culture. Perfect for relaxation and adventure."
"You are an experienced travel guide. Suggest three vacation destinations for a family looking for sunny weather, outdoor activities and cultural experiences. Each suggestion should be 100-150 words, written in a friendly and conversational tone. Present the suggestions as a numbered list."
Assume your task is to create a customer-facing report that follows these guidelines:
Direction: Set the tone as professional and informative.
Format: Specify output as a formal report.
Examples: Provide a template or previous reports as examples.
Quality: Use a checklist to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Labor: Divide sections into executive summary, detailed findings and conclusions.
The resulting prompt that corresponds to the above guidelines may look similar to the following example. You can copy and paste the whole text into an AI-driven chatbot prompt.
Direction: Adopt a professional and informative tone throughout the report. The content should be clear, concise, and tailored to a business audience. Format: The output should be in the form of a formal report, structured with headings, subheadings, and bullet points where necessary. Use professional language and adhere to business writing standards. Examples: Here is a template of the report structure to follow: Executive Summary: - Overview of key findings and recommendations. Detailed Findings: - Section 1: [Topic] - Section 2: [Topic] - Section 3: [Topic] Conclusions: - Summary of findings and next steps. Please refer to previous reports, such as [Report A] and [Report B] for style and formatting guidelines. Quality: Use the following checklist to ensure the report's accuracy and relevance: 1. Verify all data and statistics are correct and up to date. 2. Ensure the report is free of grammatical and typographical errors. 3. Cross-check that all sections are consistent and logically structured. 4. Validate that the report meets the customer's objectives and addresses their concerns. Labor: Divide the report into the following sections: 1. Executive Summary: Summarize the main findings and key recommendations in a concise manner. 2. Detailed Findings: Provide in-depth analysis and data for each key area of focus, divided into logical subsections. 3. Conclusions: Offer a summary of the findings and suggest actionable next steps for the customer.