System Prompt

Level 2

Short Description

A foundational instruction given to a model that defines its role, behavior, and constraints across a conversation.

Friendly Description: A system prompt is a special set of instructions given to an AI before the conversation even starts. It tells the model who it is, what to do, and what to avoid. Users usually don't see the system prompt, but it shapes everything the AI says. Think of it like the briefing a customer service rep gets before clocking in.

Example: A children's tutoring app might give its AI a system prompt like, "You are a friendly, encouraging math tutor for 8-year-olds. Use simple language, never share personal details, and always celebrate effort." That hidden instruction shapes every response the kids see in chat.

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