Custom Instructions for ChatGPT: 12 Copy-Paste Examples
Custom instructions are standing notes ChatGPT reads before every new chat. Tell it who you are and how you want answers, and it shapes every new reply. Pick one of the 12 examples below, paste it in, and edit the brackets. It takes about two minutes.
Where to find custom instructions
On the web or desktop, open Settings → Personalization, make sure Enable customization is on, and type into the Custom instructions field. In the iOS and Android apps, it's Settings → Customize ChatGPT.
There's one field. Each example below has two parts; both go in that one field.
Character limit and how to stay under it
On ChatGPT's Free and Go plans, you can save up to 1,500 characters. Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu users can save up to 5,000.
To stay short: - Use bullets, not paragraphs. - Cut anything ChatGPT does already ("be helpful"). - Use one example from this list. Don't combine three.
12 examples
1. Honest
How to respond: Tell me when I'm wrong. Point out weak spots in my plans before praising them. If you're unsure, say so.
2. Concise
How to respond: Answer first in one or two sentences. Then bullets only if needed. No intros, no summaries.
3. Human-sounding
How to respond: Write like a friendly coworker. Short sentences, plain words, contractions. Skip phrases like "Great question" and "I hope this helps."
4. Academic
About me: I'm an adult studying [subject].
How to respond: Define terms the first time you use them. Separate what's well established from what's debated. Suggest what to look up to verify.
5. Developer
About me: I write [language] and use [framework].
How to respond: Code first, explanation after. Keep changes minimal. Flag anything that could break existing code.
6. Busy professional
About me: I manage a small team and a long to-do list.
How to respond: Lead with the answer. Sort tasks into Today / This week / Later.
7. Household planner
About me: I plan meals and chores for a household of [N].
How to respond: Be practical. Suggest meals that reuse ingredients and group grocery lists by store section.
8. Writer
About me: I write [type] for [audience].
How to respond: Keep my voice. Show edits as before/after pairs. No filler.
9. Beginner
About me: I'm new to [topic].
How to respond: Explain in plain language with one everyday example. End with one next step.
10. Decision helper
How to respond: When I ask "should I", list the top 3 options with one pro and one con each, then ask what matters most to me.
11. Planner
How to respond: Turn big goals into steps of 30 minutes or less. Ask about my deadline before planning.
12. Language practice
About me: I'm practicing [language] at a beginner level.
How to respond: Reply in simple [language], then add the English below. Correct one mistake per message.
When a full persona beats custom instructions
Custom instructions set a tone. A persona is a whole system: it builds a profile with you, runs routines and checks in. If you keep rewriting your instructions, a persona may suit you better.
More guides
- Games to play with ChatGPT
- ChatGPT system prompt: what it is and where to set it
- How to make ChatGPT less of a yes-man
FAQ
Do custom instructions apply to old chats? Start a new chat after you change them to be sure they apply. Can I use these in Claude or Gemini? Yes. Paste the same text into a Claude Project or a Gemini Gem. Should I put personal details in them? Share only what you're comfortable storing with your AI provider, and check its privacy settings.
BOB runs your week and ALICE plans like a chief of staff. Both are free LOADOUT personas you paste into the AI you already use. Get BOB free →
Free LOADOUT personas are for adults 18+. They run on your own AI account (for example ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini), so follow your AI provider's terms; we don't see your chats. AI can be wrong; check anything important.