December 17: Custom Instructions & System Prompts

Fun and Functional!

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🎯 Learning Objective

Learn how to create and utilize custom AI assistants to streamline repetitive tasks, manage projects, and maintain consistent formatting and context.

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🛠️ Required Tools

Paid Options:

• ChatGPT Custom GPTs OR Projects (requires ChatGPT Plus)
• Claude Projects (Anthropic subscription required)
• Gemini Gems (Google’s paid subscription service)

Free Options:

• Google AI Studio (free)

Reminder: You will need to use a private Google account to access Google AI Studio. BC Google accounts cannot access AI Studio at this time.

Alternative: If you don’t have access to these tools, you can create a custom system prompt and store it in a spreadsheet, Notion database, Google Drive folder, a local file, or anywhere else you store documents and resources. Copy and paste the prompt into a new chat to start working with your assistant.

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📂 Extra Links and Resources

Here are some helpful links to explore custom assistants and learn more about custom instructions:

• My Custom Assistant to Create Custom Assistants:

  • Custom Assistant Creator -- An interactive assistant to help with creating system prompts for AI chat assistants

• A Few Sample System Prompts That I Actually Use:

  • AI Educational Policy GPT — A guide to creating an inclusive classroom policy around generative AI use
  • YouTube Transcript Assistant — Helps create YouTube descriptions, video titles, and thumbnail ideas from YouTube transcripts
  • Personal Copy Editor GPT -- Copy editing and content creation in my preferred style and voice
  • Custom Assistant GPT -- The system prompt for the chat assistant you’ll be interacting with in this challenge

• Official Custom Instructions for Claude: Claude's Custom Instructions Guide

• System Prompt Templates:

  • Anthropic System Prompt Examples
  • OpenAI System Prompt Guide

These resources provide great starting points and examples for creating your own custom assistants.

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📜 Challenge Description

Today, you’ll create a custom AI assistant to help with a task of your choosing. Custom assistants are perfect for tasks where you need:

• Repetitive workflows (e.g., summarizing weekly reports, drafting similar emails).
• Specific formatting (e.g., legal document templates, structured meeting notes).
• Consistent context (e.g., maintaining specific instructions or tone).

You can choose to create a system prompt on your own or feel free to interact with my custom assistant to help you brainstorm and refine your own!

What is a System Prompt or Custom Instructions?

A system prompt (or custom instructions) is a detailed set of guidelines that you provide to an AI assistant at the start of a conversation. It defines the assistant’s persona, behavior, and the type of task it should perform. Think of it as a script that tells the AI how to act and respond consistently.

Example system prompt:

"You are a friendly and efficient email assistant who helps draft professional emails based on bullet points. Always use a clear and concise tone, and check for spelling or grammar errors before finalizing the email."

Steps to Create Your Custom Assistant:

1. Define the Persona: Who is your assistant? (e.g., a meticulous legal clerk, a cheerful email assistant, or a creative brainstorming partner).

2. Set Rules & Guidelines: Outline the behavior and tone. What should they always do or avoid?

3. (Optional) Add Multi-Shot Examples: Provide a few sample interactions to show how the assistant should respond.

4. Include Error Handling: If colleagues or students use this assistant, add instructions on what to do when errors occur or define interactions or topics to avoid.

5. Save & Iterate: Save your system prompt in your preferred tool or set up your assistant in one of the paid/free platforms.

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📝 Communication Skills for Success

One of the key skills you’ll develop in today’s challenge is effective communication. Defining the problem space, asking good questions, and providing clear, actionable instructions will help you achieve better results with your custom assistant. The clearer you are about what you want, the more accurately the AI can assist you. This practice of clarity and precision is valuable not only for AI interactions but also for real-world communication and problem-solving.

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📖 Example Ideas for Custom Assistants

• Legal Research Assistant: Helps summarize case law and format citations.
• Email Drafting Assistant: Generates professional emails based on bullet points.
• Meeting Notes Formatter: Turns raw meeting notes into structured action items.
• Code Reviewer: Reviews code for best practices and common bugs.
• Social Media Manager: Suggests engaging posts based on content ideas.

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💡 Tips for Success

• Keep It Focused: Start with a simple, well-defined task.
• Iterate: Test and refine your prompt until the assistant works as intended.
• Save Prompts: Maintain a library of system prompts for different needs.
• Use My Assistant: Talk to my custom assistant to help brainstorm or refine your ideas!

Happy Custom Assistant Building! 🤖