Overview
This article provides comprehensive guidance on creating clear, effective instructions for AI agents, chatbots, and custom GPTs. Properly structured instructions ensure reliable performance and accurate responses from your AI assistants.
Scope:
Basic instruction frameworks for simple agents
Advanced techniques for complex agents
Best practices for improving instruction clarity and adherence
Strategies for avoiding common pitfalls
Prerequisites
You'll Need:
Access to an AI agent or chatbot creation interface
Basic understanding of prompt engineering concepts
Clear goals for your AI assistant's functionality
Understanding the Basics of Agent Instructions
Basic Structure for Simple Agents
Define the five core components
Goal: Clearly state the primary purpose of the agent
Persona: Outline name, tone, and communication style
Directions: Provide specific step-by-step instructions
Definitions: Clarify terms or concepts the agent needs to understand
Notes: Include additional information like output format requirements
Result: A foundational instruction structure that works for approximately 90% of simple agent use cases.
Note: This structure may need enhancement for more sophisticated use cases.
Advanced Instruction Techniques for Complex Agents
Breaking Down Complex Instructions
Divide multi-step processes into smaller segments
Create distinct steps for each part of a complex process
Ensure each step is self-contained with clear expected outcomes
Implement trigger/instruction pairs
Format as: "Trigger: [event] → Instruction: [action]"
Example:
Trigger: User submits information
Instruction: Analyze information for themes
Trigger: Themes analyzed
Instruction: Provide recommendations in bullet point format
Tip: Using delimiters between instruction sets improves the agent's ability to distinguish between different parts of complex processes.
Structuring for Maximum Clarity
Organize instructions hierarchically
Use second-level instructions to break down primary tasks
Group related instructions logically
Create clear transitions between instruction sets
Implement visual separation
Use delimiters like triple backticks, horizontal lines, or numbered sections
Separate few-shot examples from general instructions
Clearly mark different sections of your instructions
Result: Enhanced instruction clarity that helps the agent process information in a more organized manner.
Enhancing Instruction Adherence
Promoting Careful Processing
Include thoughtfulness prompts
Add phrases like "take your time" or "check your work"
Encourage the agent to think carefully about responses
Prompt the agent to evaluate its outputs before finalizing
Use strengthening language for critical elements
Emphasize important instructions with phrases like "It is crucial that you..."
Highlight must-follow directives with "Always..." or "Never..."
Repeat essential instructions in different ways for reinforcement
Tip: These techniques can significantly improve the agent's thoroughness and attention to detail.
Implementing Granular Steps
Break down instructions to their smallest components
Split complex steps into multiple simpler steps
Explicitly state transitions between steps
Define the expected output of each step
Note: More granular steps reduce the chances of the agent skipping or merging instructions.
Best Practices
Frame instructions positively: Say "Always do Y" instead of "Don't do X" to improve adherence and reduce confusion.
Provide few-shot examples: Include concrete examples that demonstrate expected behavior and output formats.
Define terms explicitly: Clarify any terminology that might be ambiguous or have multiple interpretations.
Use consistent terminology: Maintain the same terms throughout your instructions to avoid confusion.
Test and refine iteratively: Regularly test your instructions with different inputs and refine as needed.
Common Questions
Q: How long should my instructions be?
A: Instructions should be as concise as possible while still being comprehensive. Focus on clarity rather than length.
Q: Should I include examples in my instructions?
A: Yes, examples (few-shot prompting) significantly improve an agent's understanding of expected behavior and outputs.
Q: How can I prevent my agent from ignoring parts of my instructions?
A: Break instructions into clearly numbered steps, use strengthening language for critical parts, and implement trigger/instruction pairs.
Q: What's the most common mistake when writing agent instructions?
A: Providing vague or ambiguous directions that leave room for interpretation. Always be specific about exactly what you want the agent to do.
Q: Can I update my instructions after creating my agent?
A: Yes, instructions can typically be revised. Regular testing and refinement will help improve your agent's performance over time.