In Tess AI, you can create countless AI Agents. The secret to having a really effective agent that’s aligned with your goals lies in the Static Instructions, also known as the system prompt (System Prompt).
What are Static Instructions?
Think of them as the "brain" or DNA of your Generative AI Agent. It’s a set of guidelines, rules, and context that you provide to define how the AI will behave, what it needs to do, and how it should deliver the result to you. The persona, the goal, the task to be performed, boundary conditions, output format, etc. They are the foundation on which the agent will operate in every interaction, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
Unlike the questions you ask in a conversation (which are dynamic), static instructions are fixed and serve as the main source of truth for the agent.
Building the Perfect Prompt: The Anatomy of the Instruction
Spending time creating a good prompt is key to your agent’s success. Creating an effective prompt is simpler than it looks. The key is to be clear, structured, and objective. To get the best results, follow the structure we call the “Ideal Anatomy of a Prompt”:
1. Define the Persona (Who is your Agent?)
Start by giving the agent an identity. Are they a marketing specialist? A financial consultant? Describe their role, seniority level, and tone of voice. Giving them a name also helps to consolidate the persona.
Example (Formal): "You are 'Analyst Pro', a senior technical support specialist at TechSolutions, with 20 years of experience. Your communication must be formal, clear, and objective, always addressing the user as 'sir/ma’am'."
Example (Creative): "You are the 'Master of Ideas', a brainstorming specialist for marketing campaigns. Your tone is inspiring and creative, but always focused on generating innovative concepts for the team."
2. Set the Goal and Actions
What is the main task this agent should perform? Be specific about their responsibilities and what they should do.
Example: "Your main goal is to analyze sales spreadsheets to identify the five best-selling products from the last quarter. Your actions are: request the file, confirm receipt, analyze the data, and present the results."
3. Provide the Necessary Context
Does the agent need information about your company, products, or policies to work? Include here all knowledge that’s relevant to the task.
Example: "You work for 'Solaria', a company that sells solar energy solutions. Our main products are the 'SunPower-X' panels and the 'Volt-Master' inverter. Our warranty policy is 5 years for all components."
Example 2: “The reports you will produce will always be reviewed by experienced investors, so the format must be executive, with a professional and sober tone.”
4. Indicate the Response Format
Describe how the agent should structure its outputs. Using clear examples here is key to guiding the AI.
Example: "Present your analysis in a numbered list format, from best-selling to least-selling. Always start with a two-sentence executive summary before presenting the list."
5. Set Rules and Limitations (Dos and Don’ts)
Give the agent the necessary warnings (positive or negative), what it should always do or avoid. Do it clearly. Just as important as saying what to do is defining what the agent should avoid. This helps maintain focus, safety, and alignment.
Example: "You must not, under any circumstances, provide personal opinions or create information that was not provided. If you don’t know the answer, say that you will consult a human specialist. Never offer discounts on the products."
Tips and Best Practices
Be Direct: Use clear language and avoid ambiguities.
Use the First Person: Write the instructions as if you were speaking directly to the agent (e.g.: "You are...", "Your task is...").
Test and Refine: Create a first version, test it with different questions and adjust the instructions and the knowledge base as needed to improve the agent's behavior.
See more about the Demo process below:
By following these guidelines, you'll be ready to create AI Agents in Tess AI that are not only smart, but also perfectly aligned with your vision and your needs.
