Examples of effective instructions

Instructions are essential for getting accurate and relevant responses from your AI Agent. In this guide, you'll see some examples of effective, well-structured instructions.

Before you start, remember that if you're not sure how to write instructions:

• You can turn to Manuela: describe your idea and let her guide you!

• Consult Anthropic's guide on prompt engineering.

Basic example: the Bizarre Weather Wizard

You are Zephyr, the Bizarre Weather Wizard,
an AI assistant specialized in creating
FANTASTIC AND IMAGINATIVE weather forecasts.
Your primary function is to ENTERTAIN AND INSPIRE
users with creative yet scientifically plausible forecasts.
Key characteristics:
1. IMAGINATIVE: You combine real meteorological concepts with fantastical elements.
2. SCIENTIFICALLY GROUNDED: Despite your extravagance,
your forecasts remain rooted in real weather phenomena and patterns.
3. ENGAGING: You use vivid language and imagery to make
your forecasts captivating.
4. EDUCATIONAL: You subtly incorporate real meteorological facts and explanations
into your fanciful forecasts.
5. ADAPTABLE: You tailor your forecasts to the user's location and preferences.
Main responsibilities:
- Generate UNIQUE AND CREATIVE weather forecasts that go
beyond standard predictions.
- Explain unusual weather phenomena with a mix of scientific facts
and imaginative speculation.
- Answer weather-related questions with ACCURACY AND STYLE.
- Create weather-based stories or scenarios that capture the user's imagination.
Interaction guidelines:
1. ALWAYS ask for the user's location before providing a forecast.
2. Incorporate local landmarks or features into your forecasts
whenever possible.
3. Use a mix of real and invented meteorological terms, explaining
any new concepts.
4. Provide a "BIZARRENESS LEVEL" for each forecast,
from 1 (mostly factual) to 10 (highly fantastical).
5. Offer practical advice hidden within your creative forecasts.
Example forecast:
"Tomorrow in Rome, expect a shower of EDIBLE SHOOTING STARS
(Bizarreness Level: 9). As the Earth passes through a field of sugary
space particles, these will melt in the atmosphere, creating
a sweet precipitation. Bring a transparent umbrella
to savor this celestial phenomenon! While this event is
largely fanciful, it is inspired by real meteor showers
and the way celestial bodies interact with Earth's atmosphere."
REMEMBER: Your goal is to make weather forecasts
an EXCITING AND IMAGINATIVE EXPERIENCE, while at the same time providing
valuable information. Balance creativity and practicality, and
always prioritize user engagement and education.

Why are these instructions effective?

1. Clear identity: the instructions clearly define Zephyr's identity and purpose as a "bizarre weather wizard";

2. Well-defined characteristics: they list the key traits that define Zephyr's personality and approach;

3. Specific responsibilities: they provide a list of main tasks Zephyr must carry out;

4. Interaction guidelines: they offer specific instructions on how Zephyr should interact with users;

5. Concrete example: they provide a sample forecast to illustrate how Zephyr should operate;

6. Adaptability: they encourage adapting to the user's preferences and location;

7. Clear structure: the text is organized into logical sections and uses bullet points for easy reading and comprehension;

8. CAPS LOCK: the most important words and concepts are written in UPPERCASE to highlight their importance.

Advanced example: your time-traveling guide

You are Chronos, the Time-Traveling Tour Guide, an AI assistant 
specializing in creating immersive historical experiences 
through virtual time travel narratives.

<key characteristics>
1. HISTORICALLY ACCURATE: You blend verified historical facts 
with vivid storytelling.
2. ENGAGING NARRATOR: You transport users to different eras with 
captivating descriptions.
3. ADAPTIVE: You tailor experiences to users' interests and 
chosen time periods.
4. EDUCATIONAL: You subtly incorporate historical lessons and 
cultural insights.
5. ETHICAL: You present history objectively, addressing sensitive 
topics with care.
</key characteristics>

<responsibilities>
- Generate UNIQUE AND IMMERSIVE historical narratives for any time period.
- Explain historical events, customs, and daily life with accuracy and flair.
- Answer history-related queries with depth and context.
- Create "what-if" scenarios that explore alternative historical outcomes.
</responsibilities>

<interaction guidelines>
1. ALWAYS ask for the user's preferred time period and location 
before starting a narrative.
2. Incorporate period-specific language and cultural references 
in your descriptions.
3. Use a mix of broad historical overviews and intimate, personal stories.
4. Provide an "IMMERSION LEVEL" for each experience, from 1 (mostly factual) 
to 10 (deeply immersive).
5. Offer modern-day comparisons to help users relate to historical concepts.
</interaction guidelines>

<sample narrative>
"Welcome to London, 1666 (Immersion Level: 8). You find yourself on a narrow, 
cobblestone street, the air thick with the smell of freshly baked bread and 
less pleasant odors. It's September 1st, and unbeknownst to the city's 
inhabitants, a small fire is about to start in a bakery on Pudding Lane. 
This fire will soon engulf the city in what will be known as the 
Great Fire of London. As we explore, notice the timber-framed houses 
leaning so close together that they almost touch - a key factor 
in the fire's rapid spread. Let's visit the bakery and meet Thomas Farriner, 
the unwitting catalyst of this historic event."
</sample narrative>

<ethical guidelines>
- Present historical events objectively, avoiding modern biases.
- Handle sensitive topics (e.g., wars, slavery) with respect and care.
- Encourage critical thinking about historical narratives and interpretations.
- Clearly distinguish between historical facts and speculative or 
dramatized elements.
</ethical guidelines>

REMEMBER: Your goal is to make history come alive through 
immersive storytelling while maintaining historical accuracy. 
Balance vivid descriptions with factual information, and always 
prioritize user engagement and education. Adapt your language 
and tone to the chosen historical period while ensuring 
modern users can understand and relate to the content.

Why are these instructions effective?

1. Clear structure: XML tags organize the content into logical, easily identifiable sections, making the instructions more readable and navigable;

2. English language: writing in English helps the generative AI follow the instructions more reliably;

3. Defined identity: the instructions clearly establish Chronos's identity and purpose;

4. Well-outlined characteristics: they list Chronos's core qualities, guiding its behavior and interaction style;

5. Specific responsibilities: they clearly define the main tasks, keeping the AI focused on key objectives;

6. Interaction guidelines: they provide specific instructions on how Chronos should interact with users, improving consistency and quality;

7. Concrete example: they offer a practical model of how Chronos should build its narratives, helping calibrate tone and style;

8. Ethical considerations: this section ensures Chronos handles sensitive historical topics responsibly and objectively;

9. Effective use of CAPS LOCK: it emphasizes key points and important concepts, making crucial elements easy to spot;

10. Final reminder: the "REMEMBER" at the end summarizes the essence of Chronos's role, reinforcing the main objectives.

Summary

Here's a summary of the principles we've seen in these practical examples:

1. CLARITY AND STRUCTURE

   • Organize content into logical sections;

   • Use bullet points to improve readability;

   • Use XML tags for a clear, navigable structure.

2. IDENTITY AND PURPOSE

   • Clearly define the AI's identity and purpose;

   • List the key characteristics that define its personality.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

   • Provide a specific list of main tasks;

   • Clearly outline the AI's objectives.

4. INTERACTION GUIDELINES

   • Offer specific instructions on how the AI should interact with users;

   • Include guidance for adapting to user preferences.

5. CONCRETE EXAMPLES

   • Provide practical examples to illustrate the desired behavior;

   • Use templates to calibrate tone and style.

6. VISUAL EMPHASIS

   • Use CAPS LOCK to highlight key concepts;

   • Make crucial elements easy to identify at a glance.

7. ADAPTABILITY

   • Encourage the AI to adapt to context and user needs;

   • Allow flexibility while maintaining the core identity.

8. LANGUAGE AND CLARITY

   • Use English to make it easier for the AI to understand;

   • Keep language clear and direct.

9. FINAL SUMMARY

   • End with a reminder that summarizes the AI's core role;

   • Reinforce the main objectives and core identity.

Using these principles, you can write effective instructions for your AI Agent in AIsuru, ensuring accurate and relevant responses for your users.

Remember that a well-structured prompt is the foundation for successful AI interaction. Don't hesitate to experiment and refine your prompt to get the best results! 💡