How to Use ChatGPT Custom Instructions [Practical Guide + Real Examples]
🤖 This guide answers the most common questions about how to set up and use ChatGPT’s Custom Instructions. Perfect for beginners and advanced users alike. Includes ready-to-use examples, custom commands, and adaptations for other AIs such as Claude and Gemini.
Today, we’re going to talk about an amazing ChatGPT feature that can significantly improve your interactions with this AI: Custom Instructions. With this feature, you can configure ChatGPT to respond according to your specific preferences and needs, saving time and getting more accurate and contextualized answers.
In this article, we’ll explore in detail how to use ChatGPT’s Custom Instructions. We’ll follow a step-by-step process, starting with a basic explanation and moving on to more complex and creative examples.
Get ready to discover how to optimize your interactions with ChatGPT and take your productivity to the next level!
Article Content
Accessing and Understanding ChatGPT’s Custom Instructions
ChatGPT offers a feature called Custom Instructions, available to all logged-in users, including those on the free plan, and ideal for anyone who wants to customize how the AI behaves in conversations. This feature allows you to set up the AI to deliver responses more aligned with your needs and preferences, significantly improving the quality of interactions.
To access Custom Instructions, simply click on the “Personalization” option. In the window that opens, you’ll find several fields to enable/disable and fill out with information. Let’s explore each one.
Personalization
Let’s go through each section of this configuration window, starting with “Personalization.”
Enable customization
In the Custom Instructions configuration window, the first option is “Enable customization”. Make sure to activate this option so ChatGPT applies the instructions you’ve entered. This ensures that custom instructions will be applied to all new conversations started after the setup.
Remember, custom instructions are only applied to new conversations. This means that any changes you make won’t affect ongoing chats.
ChatGPT personality
Here, you can choose the tone and style ChatGPT will use when responding, such as: default, cynical, robotic, listener, and nerd. A brief description under each option helps you understand their differences.
Custom instructions
Now you can use this field to define more detailed instructions. ChatGPT itself offers some pre-configured options you can click to insert into the field (Conversational, Insightful, Empathetic, etc.).
You can also personalize it with your own instructions, defining how ChatGPT should respond. Adjust the tone, formality, and other response preferences. Here are some suggestions to consider:
- Should ChatGPT be more formal or informal?
- Should responses generally be longer or shorter?
- Should ChatGPT have opinions on topics or remain neutral?
Basic Example (Beginner)
To keep things simple, let’s look at an example:
Respond in a friendly way using an informal tone. Always reply in English, even if I ask in another language.
With these settings, ChatGPT will adjust its responses accordingly. For example, if you ask “Onde fica Porto de Galinhas?” in Portuguese, by default the reply will be in English, as configured. Example of response:
“Porto de Galinhas is on the southern coast of Pernambuco. It’s a famous beach known for its natural pools and crystal-clear waters.”
About you
In this section, you can provide more information about yourself, and ChatGPT will take it into account when responding. The first two fields are:
- Nickname: tell ChatGPT how to address you.
- Occupation: enter your occupation/profession.
More about you
In this field, enter relevant information about yourself that can provide context and make responses more useful. Here are some examples of what you can include:
- Where are you located?
- What do you do for work?
- What are your main interests?
- What topics could you talk about for hours?
- What are some of your goals?
Basic Example (Beginner)
Here’s a simple example of how these fields might be filled out:
- Nickname: Mr. Jaspion
- Occupation: Tour Guide
- More about you: I’m in Porto de Galinhas – PE, where I welcome and guide tourists. I love beaches.
This information helps ChatGPT tailor its responses more precisely. For example, if you send a simple prompt without details, like “sunset,” ChatGPT’s answer will be contextualized based on the provided instructions:
“The sunset is a wonderful natural spectacle, isn’t it Mr. Jaspion? In Porto de Galinhas, it can be especially stunning. If you’re guiding a group, one tip is to take the tourists to Muro Alto Beach or Cupe Beach, which offer incredible sunset views.”
Memory
The available options to enable or disable in this section are:
- Refer to saved memories: if enabled, allows ChatGPT to use Memory when crafting responses.
- Refer to chat history: if enabled, allows ChatGPT to reference previous conversations in its replies.
ChatGPT’s Memory feature allows it to remember useful information about you over time, such as your name, communication preferences, interests, or favorite response style. Unlike Custom Instructions — which you fill out manually — Memory is built through ongoing use and can be edited or disabled at any time.
Use the “Manage” button to view or delete saved memories.
To start building your memory, just interact naturally with ChatGPT — it will let you know when it saves or updates relevant information.
Important: when memory is active, ChatGPT will always notify you when adding, modifying, or deleting information about you.
This feature is excellent for anyone who wants more consistent interactions, especially for recurring uses such as:
- Writing guidance with a defined style.
- Ongoing professional projects.
- Continuous personalized learning.
Example: if you say you prefer short and concise answers, ChatGPT may start applying this style in all responses, even without you repeating the instruction.
Advanced
In this section, you can enable or disable advanced features that expand ChatGPT’s capabilities in different contexts. Each item activates a specific functionality, useful for more interactive or technical tasks:
- Web search: allows ChatGPT to access the internet to fetch updated information automatically. Ideal for questions about recent events, real-time data, or content not included in the model’s training.
- Code: enables the code interpreter (formerly known as Python or Code Interpreter), allowing ChatGPT to run complex calculations, analyze data, read files, or create visualizations based on programming instructions.
- Canvas: activates a collaborative environment where you can write text or code with ChatGPT in a more visual and interactive way. Useful for brainstorming, drafts, and technical development.
- Advanced voice: provides a more natural conversation experience in voice mode, with improved intonation and realistic pauses. Available only on compatible devices and supported browsers.
Important: some of these features may only be available to ChatGPT Plus users and may vary depending on the device, browser, or operating system used.
How to Improve Your ChatGPT Custom Instructions
Now that you understand the basics of setting up Custom Instructions, let’s explore how to further refine these settings to get even more relevant and detailed responses. To do this, we’ll work on the “Custom instructions” and “More about you” fields.
Suggested Structures for Filling Out the Fields
What to include in the “Custom instructions” field?
In this field, you can be even more specific about the tone and style of responses. Here are some examples of items you can include:
- Tone and Formality
- Level of Detail
- Preferred References
- Types of Suggestions
- Links
- Types of Questions
- Problem-Solving Method
- Level of Critical Thinking
- Level of Creativity
- Response Format
- Checks and Balances
- Bias / Bias Awareness
- Language Preferences
Detailed Example (Intermediate)
Let’s create a more complete example for our Tour Guide using some of these options:
Tone and Formality: Friendly and informal.
Level of Detail: Brief and engaging explanations, with tips and recommendations.
Preferred References: Websites, books, and films about Porto de Galinhas, well-known local personalities and artists, fun facts and curiosities.
Types of Suggestions: Suggestions of places to visit, eat, shop, and have fun, according to the client’s profile and budget.
Links: Links to reliable and useful websites, such as travel agencies, public transportation, museums, and events.
Types of Questions: Open-ended questions to better understand the client, their expectations and interests; closed-ended questions to confirm information and preferences.
Problem-Solving Method: Use clear and objective instructions to solve problems, explain causes and consequences, offer viable alternatives and solutions, and ask the client for feedback and apologies when needed.
How to fill out the “More about you” field?
To maximize the effectiveness of ChatGPT’s responses, consider including detailed, yet relevant, information about yourself. Here are some items you can choose and add:
- Profession/Role
- Key Responsibilities
- Knowledge or Experience
- Challenges
- Goals and Objectives
- Academic Background
- Current Projects
- Jargon or Terminology
- Interactions
- Learning Style
- Communication Style
- Preferred Tools
- Location and Time Zone
- Values and Principles
- Language
- Age
- Gender and Ethnic/Cultural Characteristics
- Marital/Family Status
- Socioeconomic Status
- Cognitive Conditions (ADHD, autism, dyslexia, etc.)
- Physical Conditions (disabilities: visual, motor, etc.)
- Favorite Books, Movies, Music, Games, Teams, etc.
Detailed Example (Intermediate)
Let’s continue with our Tour Guide:
Key Responsibilities: Guide visitors through the main tourist spots in Porto de Galinhas, provide historical and cultural information, ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
Knowledge or Experience: History, geography, culture, and curiosities of Porto de Galinhas; communication and customer service skills.
Academic Background: I have degrees in tourism and history.
Challenges: Handling unforeseen events such as traffic, weather, and technical issues; adapting itineraries to clients’ preferences and needs; staying up to date on local news and events.
Current Projects: Offering virtual tours, customized tours, and themed tours such as gastronomic, ecological, and historical.
Jargon or Terminology: Muro Alto Beach, Maracaípe, Pontal de Maracaípe, natural pools, jangadas, tapioca.
Goals and Objectives: Provide a unique and memorable experience to visitors, receive positive reviews and referrals, increase the number of clients and revenue.
Interactions: Visitors from different countries, cultures, and languages; other tour guides; travel agencies; hotels; restaurants; and tourist attractions.
Values and Principles: I value diversity and respect, and I believe in delivering quality service with honesty.
Language: My native language is Portuguese. I’m fluent in English and Spanish.
Practical and Compact Example
If your instructions exceed the 1,500-character limit per field, you can compress them. See how the examples above could be summarized:
Practical example for the “Custom instructions” field:
Copy and paste this text into the corresponding field to set up ChatGPT with an informal tone, brief responses, and local tips.
Respond in a friendly, informal way with brief and engaging explanations, including tips and recommendations. Reference websites, books, and films about Porto de Galinhas, well-known local personalities and artists, and fun facts and curiosities. Suggest places to visit, eat, shop, and have fun according to the client’s profile and budget. Include links to reliable and useful sites, such as travel agencies, public transportation, museums, and events. Ask open-ended questions to better understand the client’s expectations and interests, and closed-ended questions to confirm information and preferences. Use clear, objective instructions to solve problems, explaining causes and consequences, offering viable alternatives and solutions, and asking for feedback and apologies when necessary.
Compact example for “More about you”:
I’m responsible for guiding visitors through the main tourist attractions in Porto de Galinhas, providing historical and cultural information, and ensuring customer safety and satisfaction. I have knowledge of the history, geography, culture, and curiosities of Porto de Galinhas, as well as communication and customer service skills. I hold degrees in tourism and history. I face challenges such as dealing with unforeseen events (traffic, weather, and technical issues), adapting itineraries to client preferences, and staying up to date on local events. I currently offer virtual, customized, and themed tours (gastronomic, ecological, and historical). I use terms such as Muro Alto Beach, Maracaípe, Pontal de Maracaípe, natural pools, jangadas, and tapioca. My goals are to provide unique experiences, receive positive reviews, and increase clients and revenue. I interact with visitors from different countries and cultures, other guides, travel agencies, hotels, restaurants, and attractions. I value diversity and respect, offering quality and honest service. I speak Portuguese, English, and Spanish.
These compact formats still provide all the essential information without exceeding the character limit.
Adjusting and Experimenting
Remember, the key to getting the best responses is to constantly adjust and experiment with your custom instructions. Don’t hesitate to make changes as needed until you find the perfect setup that works for you.
Creative and Advanced Examples of ChatGPT Custom Instructions
After mastering the basics and improving your Custom Instructions, it’s time to explore creative and advanced examples. These show how you can use this feature in innovative ways to get even more out of ChatGPT.
Creative Examples
Different Roles
An interesting way to use Custom Instructions is by setting up different profiles so ChatGPT responds according to the role you’re playing at a given moment. For example, you might be a tour guide during the week and a personal development coach on weekends. Here’s how you can configure this:
Custom instructions field
Role 1: Tour Guide
Tone and Formality: Friendly and informal
Level of Detail: Brief and engaging explanations, with tips and recommendations.Role 2: Personal Development Coach
Tone and Formality: Inspiring and motivational
Level of Detail: Detailed explanations with inspiring stories and comparisons.
More about you field
Role 1: Tour Guide
Profession/Role: Tour Guide
Key Responsibilities: Guide visitors through the main tourist spots in Porto de Galinhas, provide historical and cultural information, ensure customer safety and satisfaction.Role 2: Personal Development Coach
Profession/Role: Personal Development Coach
Key Responsibilities: Help clients identify strengths and areas for improvement, set personal development goals, and provide strategies and tools to achieve them.
Once configured, you can send a prompt explicitly invoking one of the roles, for example:
Prompt
Adopt Role 1 and suggest a 3-day itinerary for a young couple.Automatically Detecting the Role
You can make ChatGPT automatically identify which role you’re playing and respond accordingly. This can be done by configuring instructions so that ChatGPT analyzes the context before replying:
Custom instructions field
Role 1: Tour Guide
Tone and Formality: Friendly and informal
Level of Detail: Brief and engaging explanations, with tips and recommendations.Role 2: Personal Development Coach
Tone and Formality: Inspiring and motivational
Level of Detail: Detailed explanations with inspiring stories and comparisons.
More about you field
Before returning any response, identify which of the roles below I’m playing and respond accordingly (indicate the role in the response).
Role 1: Tour Guide
Profession/Role: Tour Guide
Key Responsibilities: Guide visitors through the main tourist spots in Porto de Galinhas, provide historical and cultural information, ensure customer safety and satisfaction.Role 2: Personal Development Coach
Profession/Role: Personal Development Coach
Key Responsibilities: Help clients identify strengths and areas for improvement, set personal development goals, and provide strategies and tools to achieve them.
Then you can try prompts like:
Prompt
How can I build more confidence when starting a new job?Prompt
Suggest a premium 3-day itinerary for a group of 5 people.If it fails to identify the context, you can always fall back on explicitly invoking the role in the prompt:
Prompt
Adopt Role 2 and answer: How can I build more confidence when starting a new job?Detecting the Role by Day of the Week
Another advanced and creative way to use Custom Instructions is to configure them so ChatGPT adjusts its responses based on the day of the week. This is especially useful if you play different roles on different days. Keep in mind, though, this is an experimental approach and not 100% reliable, although it has worked well in many tests.
Custom instructions field
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday:
Tone and Formality: Friendly and informal
Level of Detail: Brief and engaging explanations, including tips and recommendations.Thursday and Friday:
Tone and Formality: Inspiring and motivational
Level of Detail: Detailed explanations with inspiring stories and comparisons.Saturday and Sunday:
Tone and Formality: Friendly and informal with a tone of empathy and understanding. Include lots of emojis in responses. Suggest games and activities suitable for children’s ages and always add a suggestion for the couple to enjoy together at the end of the day.
More about you field
Location and Time Zone: I’m in São Paulo, Brazil.
Before returning any response, identify what day of the week I’m sending the prompt and respond according to the instructions below (indicate the day of the week and the role in the response).Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday:
Profession/Role: Tour Guide
Key Responsibilities: Guide visitors through the main tourist spots in Porto de Galinhas, provide historical and cultural information, ensure customer safety and satisfaction.Thursday and Friday:
Profession/Role: Personal Development Coach
Key Responsibilities: Help clients identify strengths and areas for improvement, set personal development goals, and provide strategies and tools to achieve them.Saturday and Sunday:
Personal Role: Father of two kids (a 4-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son) and a dedicated husband. Seeking to strengthen family bonds through shared activities, raise children based on values like respect and cooperation, and promote the family’s mental and physical health.
Practical Example
Let’s see how these instructions work in practice. Imagine you send a simple prompt like “Plan my workday” on a Wednesday. ChatGPT should automatically identify that it’s a day when you’re acting as a Tour Guide and respond accordingly:
“Today is Wednesday, so as a Tour Guide, you could start the day by taking a group of visitors to Muro Alto Beach. Then, bring them for lunch at a local restaurant serving traditional dishes. In the afternoon, explore Porto de Galinhas’ natural pools and finish the day with a visit to the historic center, sharing cultural and historical insights.”
If the same prompt is sent on a Friday, ChatGPT should adopt the role of Personal Development Coach:
“Today is Friday, so as a Personal Development Coach, you could start the day by reviewing your clients’ goals and adjusting strategies as needed. Next, lead a coaching session focused on identifying strengths and areas for improvement. End the day by preparing a progress report for each client.”
And if the prompt is sent on a Sunday, ChatGPT should adopt the personal role:
“Today is Sunday, a perfect day to strengthen family bonds! Start the day with a family breakfast, then take the kids to the park to play and have fun. In the afternoon, do an art activity at home, like painting or drawing together. And to wrap up the day, prepare a special dinner with your partner and plan a family movie night.”
Custom Commands
Another advanced way to use Custom Instructions is by creating specific commands that can be triggered in the chat. These commands help optimize interaction with ChatGPT, making responses more useful and precise.
Custom instructions field
Below is a list of commands in the format “/command: description,” where:
- /command – indicates the command name preceded by a slash (with no space).
- description – the instructions and actions to be executed for that command.
If I send, solely and exclusively, one of the commands below in the prompt, execute the instructions described for that command.
/improveAI: analyze my last request and the generated response, and add relevant information and details to enhance the previously generated result.
/examplesAI: analyze my last request and the generated response, identify the context, and provide practical examples to complement and improve understanding of the topic.
/summarizeAI: analyze the interactions in this chat so far, considering all adjustments and improvements made, and create a concise summary of our progress to this point.
/simplifyAI: analyze the last response generated and rewrite it in an informal way, using simplified language that even a child could understand. Add emojis to make the response more visual and engaging.
Note: I included “AI” at the end of each command name to avoid ChatGPT confusing the slash (/) as a typo. “Improve,” “Summarize,” and “Simplify” are action verbs, which could otherwise cause confusion.
More about you field
(Leave this field blank for this example.)
Practical Example with Commands
Let’s see how these commands work in practice. Imagine you asked ChatGPT to write a text about the benefits of using artificial intelligence in education. After the initial response, you can use the custom commands to improve the interaction:
💡 These commands work if sent alone in the chat. Copy and send one at a time.
- For ChatGPT to analyze the response and add relevant details:
Prompt
/improveAI- For ChatGPT to provide practical examples to complement the response:
Prompt
/examplesAI- For ChatGPT to summarize the conversation progress so far:
Prompt
/summarizeAI- For ChatGPT to rewrite the last response in a simpler, more visual way:
Prompt
/simplifyAIThese examples show how Custom Instructions can be used creatively and in advanced ways to enhance your interactions with ChatGPT.
Using Custom Instructions in Other AIs
Even though other artificial intelligences (AIs) like Claude, Gemini, or Perplexity don’t natively offer Custom Instructions, you can apply the same personalization concept with small adjustments to prompts.
This article focused on Custom Instructions as a native ChatGPT feature, but the idea behind them can be applied to other AIs. Some tools, like Claude AI and Grok, even include similar features. Let’s explore how you can adapt these instructions for different AI platforms, even if they don’t natively support personalization.
Applying Instructions Manually
To use custom instructions in other AIs, you can insert the information directly into the prompt. This requires a bit more manual effort but can provide similar results. Here’s an example of how this can be done:
Practical Example
Let’s adapt the instructions for a Tour Guide so they can be used in Google Gemini, Claude AI, or any other tool:
Custom Instructions
User Profile:
I am a Tour Guide in Porto de Galinhas. My responsibilities include guiding visitors through the main tourist attractions, providing historical and cultural information, and ensuring customer safety and satisfaction. I have knowledge in history, geography, and local culture. I hold degrees in tourism and history. I frequently deal with challenges such as traffic, weather, and itinerary adjustments.
How to Respond:
Respond in a friendly and informal way, with brief and engaging explanations, including tips and recommendations.
Prompt for Use in Other AIs
Prompt
User Profile:
I am a Tour Guide in Porto de Galinhas. My responsibilities include guiding visitors through the main tourist attractions, providing historical and cultural information, and ensuring customer safety and satisfaction. I have knowledge in history, geography, and local culture. I hold degrees in tourism and history. I frequently deal with challenges such as traffic, weather, and itinerary adjustments.
How to Respond:
Respond in a friendly and informal way, with brief and engaging explanations, including tips and recommendations.
The information above refers to the user profile I want you to consider for this conversation. Before continuing, confirm if you understood.Expected Response Example:
“Understood! You are a tour guide in Porto de Galinhas, responsible for guiding visitors and providing historical and cultural information. I will respond in a friendly and informal way, including tips and recommendations. How can I help today?”
Practical Usage Examples
Here are some examples of prompts adapted for different AI platforms, using custom instructions directly in the prompt text:
Example 1:
Prompt
The following information is the user profile for this conversation.
Profile: I am a personal development coach. My responsibilities include helping clients identify strengths, set goals, and provide strategies to achieve them.
How to Respond: Reply in an inspiring and motivational way, with success stories and comparisons.
Suggest strategies to build confidence when starting a new job.Expected Response:
“As a personal development coach, it’s important to help your clients identify and build on their strengths. One effective strategy is to use success stories, showing examples of people who overcame similar challenges. Start by setting small, achievable goals to build confidence gradually.”
Example 2:
Prompt
The information below is the user profile for this interaction:
Profile: Father of two children, ages 4 and 6, looking for educational weekend activities.
How to Respond: Reply in a friendly and understanding way, suggesting fun and educational activities for young children.
What are some educational activities I can do with my kids this weekend?Expected Response:
“As a father of two young children, you can plan many fun and educational activities. Try organizing a backyard treasure hunt where the kids can learn about plants and insects. Another idea is to create an art project with recyclable materials, encouraging creativity and environmental awareness. Or how about a reading session with illustrated books, followed by a discussion about the stories?”
Adapting to Different Contexts
The flexibility of custom instructions allows you to adapt the same concept for different contexts and platforms. No matter which AI you’re using, provide clear and specific information at the beginning of the prompt to guide the response in the desired way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are ChatGPT Custom Instructions?
They are configuration fields where you tell ChatGPT how you’d like it to respond and what it should know about you in order to provide more personalized answers.
Where can I find Custom Instructions in the current interface?
In the “Customization” tab, accessible by clicking the profile menu, usually at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
What’s the difference between “Custom Instructions” and “Memory”?
Custom Instructions are set manually by you and applied to all new conversations. Memory, on the other hand, is built over time based on usage and can be edited or disabled.
Is this feature available to free users?
Yes. All logged-in users — including those on the free plan — have access to Custom Instructions. However, some features in the “Advanced” tab may be exclusive to paid plans.
Is there a character limit for these fields?
Yes. Each field (“More about you” and “Custom instructions”) has a limit of 1,500 characters.
Do custom instructions work with plugins and tools?
Yes, especially in the Plus plan. Behavior may vary depending on the tools enabled. Adjusting instructions can influence how ChatGPT uses plugins and resources such as Web Browsing or Code.
Can I use this type of customization in other AIs, like Claude or Gemini?
Yes, in an adapted way. You can insert instructions directly into the prompt, as demonstrated in this article, to simulate personalization behavior in other platforms.
Can I change the instructions at any time?
Yes. Just go to the “Customization” tab and edit the fields as you wish. New instructions will only apply to conversations started after the change.
How do I know if ChatGPT saved something in Memory?
Whenever something is added, modified, or removed from Memory, ChatGPT will display a clear notification. You can manage everything by clicking “Manage” in the Memory section.
Can ChatGPT remember me even after I close the browser?
Yes, if Memory is enabled. Even in new sessions, ChatGPT will continue using the stored information until you delete or disable it.
Conclusion
ChatGPT Custom Instructions are a powerful tool to improve your interactions with this AI, making them more efficient, accurate, and aligned with your needs and preferences. By properly configuring the available personalization options, you can get more contextualized and relevant responses, saving time and effort.
We’ve explored everything from basic examples to more advanced and creative setups, showing how this feature can be adapted for different contexts and roles you play. We also looked at how to apply similar concepts in other AI platforms, even without native support for personalization.
The key to getting the best results is to constantly adjust and experiment with your instructions, refining them as needed to find the perfect setup. Remember to focus on the most relevant and essential information for your specific needs.
Now that you know the potential of Custom Instructions, start applying them in your daily interactions with ChatGPT and see the difference they can make. And don’t forget, the possibilities for customization are endless — so feel free to explore and innovate!
Thank you for reading, and see you next time!
Useful References (official documentation):
- Memory FAQ: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8590148-memory-faq
- ChatGPT Custom Instructions: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8096356-chatgpt-custom-instructions
