System message design
Carefully crafting the system message that sets the overall context, persona, and rules for a model's behavior.
Think of it like
The first page of a rulebook that defines the game for everyone.
Example
"You are a helpful, accurate, and concise assistant. You are an expert in Python. Refuse illegal requests. Explain clearly."
How it actually works
System messages are powerful but subtle. They influence all downstream behavior. Good system messages are specific, consistent, and backed by examples or training. Poor ones are vague ("be helpful") or contradictory ("be honest" and "don't say bad things" can conflict).
For product teams
Foundation of model behavior. Consistency and brand voice start here.
For engineers
Design carefully. Test with diverse inputs. Iterate based on user feedback.
Related
- Multi-turn — Part of multi-turn management.
- Assistant persona — Works with assistant persona.
Read anything AI without the jargon
Look up any term in plain English, or save terms as you read with the free Chrome extension.
Open DecoderAdd to Chrome