> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://suprmind.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Writing Effective Custom Instructions

# Writing Effective Custom Instructions

> **Quick Answer:** Custom instructions are persistent rules that every AI follows in every conversation within a project. Write them once, benefit forever.

## What You'll Learn

* What custom instructions do
* How to write effective ones
* Examples for different use cases
* Common mistakes to avoid

## What Custom Instructions Do

Custom instructions are text you add to a project that every AI reads before responding. They're like briefing notes that ensure all 5 AIs understand:

* Who you are
* What you're working on
* How you want responses formatted
* What constraints exist
* What to avoid

They persist across all conversations in the project. You write them once and they apply automatically.

## How to Add Custom Instructions

1. Open your project settings
2. Find the **Custom Instructions** field
3. Write your instructions
4. Save

Every new conversation in this project will include these instructions as context.

## Writing Effective Instructions

### Be Specific, Not Vague

**Weak:**

> "Give me good answers about marketing."

**Strong:**

> "I'm the marketing director at a B2B SaaS company (ARR \$5M, 200 customers). Our ICP is mid-market companies (100-500 employees) in the healthcare sector. We use HubSpot for CRM and Webflow for our website."

### State Constraints

Tell the AIs what's off-limits or non-negotiable:

> "We cannot use paid social media advertising due to regulatory restrictions in our industry. Focus recommendations on organic, content-driven, and partnership-based growth strategies."

### Define Your Audience

Who will read the outputs?

> "All outputs should be suitable for sharing with our board of directors. Assume they understand business metrics but not technical implementation details."

### Set Format Preferences

How do you like your responses?

> "Use bullet points over paragraphs. Include data when available. Keep responses under 500 words unless I ask for more detail."

## Examples by Use Case

### Product Development

```
We're building a mobile fitness app for busy professionals (25-45).
Tech stack: React Native, Node.js, PostgreSQL, AWS.
Current stage: MVP with 500 beta users.
Competitor set: Peloton, Nike Training Club, Freeletics.
Key constraint: 2-person dev team, 6-month runway.
```

### Content Marketing

```
Brand voice: Professional but approachable. Never corporate-speak.
Target audience: Technical decision-makers (CTOs, VPs of Engineering).
Content goal: Thought leadership that drives inbound demo requests.
Topics we own: Developer productivity, AI-assisted workflows, team scaling.
Avoid: Generic advice, content that sounds like everyone else's blog.
```

### Strategic Planning

```
Company: B2B logistics platform, Series B, 150 employees.
Current focus: International expansion (EMEA first).
Key metrics: CAC ($1,200), LTV ($18,000), NRR (115%).
Board priorities: Path to profitability within 18 months.
Decision framework: Data-driven, but willing to take calculated bets.
```

### Research & Analysis

```
I'm a doctoral researcher studying AI governance.
Analysis should be rigorous and cite sources where possible.
Consider perspectives from: US, EU, and East Asian regulatory environments.
Methodology preference: Comparative case study analysis.
I value nuance over simplification.
```

## Common Mistakes

### Too Long

Don't write a novel. AIs have context limits. Keep instructions to 200-400 words max.

### Too Prescriptive About AI Behavior

Don't micromanage how AIs should think. Focus on what you need, not how they should work internally.

**Don't:**

> "Claude should analyze first, then GPT should verify, then Gemini should synthesize..."

**Do:**

> "I need thorough analysis with verification of claims and a final synthesis."

### Contradictory Instructions

Check that your instructions don't conflict. "Be concise" and "provide comprehensive analysis" in the same instruction set confuses the AIs.

### Stale Instructions

Update your instructions when your project evolves. Instructions written at project start may not reflect current needs.

## Tips

* Start with 3-5 bullet points. Add more only when you notice the AIs missing important context.
* Your project description and custom instructions work together - don't repeat the same information in both.
* Test your instructions: send a message and see if the responses reflect your constraints. If not, refine.
* Good custom instructions save you from writing "remember, we're a B2B company..." in every message.

## Related Articles

* [Creating and Setting Up Projects](/docs/projects/creating-projects/)
* [How Project Memory Works](/docs/projects/project-memory/)
* [How 5 AIs Work Together](/docs/ai-orchestration/how-orchestration-works/)

## Still Need Help?

Reach out to us at [support@suprmind.ai](mailto:support@suprmind.ai) or use the feedback button in the app.