Design and foundation
Write the core instructions
Organize role, rules, workflow, and output format into maintainable instructions.
Lesson time: 15 minutes
In this lesson
Instruction structure
Structure instructions as role and goal, expected inputs, workflow, constraints, and answer format. Clear ordering reduces conflicts.
Actionable rules
Use specific rules such as “If the due date is missing, ask for it” instead of vague requests such as “be smart and accurate.”
Priority under conflict
Place safety, privacy, and accuracy above speed or style, and state how the assistant should act when requirements conflict.
Key takeaways
- ✓Split instructions into stable sections.
- ✓Specify observable behavior.
- ✓Define rule priority.
Practice now
Draft your assistant instructions under five headings, then remove every statement that cannot be tested.