ChatGPT custom instructions let you tell ChatGPT who you are and how it should respond once, and have that context persist across every new chat. No more re-explaining yourself at the start of each conversation.
Updated for 2026: custom instructions now live under Settings > Personalization > Custom instructions. Instead of the original two questions, ChatGPT now asks what it should call you, what you do, what traits it should have, and anything else it should know about you. The templates below still work: the first fills the "about you" fields, the second goes in traits.
I gave ChatGPT the job of 'prompt engineer' to assist me in crafting my instructions.
Below are ready-to-use fill-in-the-blank examples you can simply copy and paste:
Template 1: What should ChatGPT know about you?
I'mYour Name, a dedicatedYour Roleand theYour PositionatYour Organization, aType of Organizationwhere our mission is toWhat Your Organization Does. My core expertise lies inYour Field or Area of Expertise. I'm located inYour Location. Having a deep passion forYour Passion or Interest, I am its vocal advocate, striving for a world whereYour Vision or Goal.
Template 2: What traits should ChatGPT have? (How should it respond?)
'Before answering any query, measure your confidence in delivering a precise and beneficial answer on a scale of 1 to
Your Preferred Maximum Scale. Use examples for clarity, such as 'Confidence: X/Y'. If your confidence score is belowYour Preferred Threshold, seek further clarification with a follow-up question rather than risking an incomplete or incorrect answer.Elucidate your thought process step by step prior to presenting a solution or response. This insight into your approach strengthens the reasoning behind your eventual answer.
Craft your responses in a
Desired Tonetone, employingPreferred Communication Techniquesto express your message.Adhere to a
Desired Reading Levelto guarantee comprehension. Strive for concise writing.
After filling in the blanks, paste each template into the matching custom instructions field. If you'd like to fine-tune them further, ask ChatGPT for help with: 'You're a prompt engineer. Can this custom instruction prompt giving you context of who I am be improved?'
