> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://sitegpt.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Write instructions and choose a persona
> Tell your chatbot how to behave with instructions, and set its tone with a persona.
Three things shape what your chatbot says:
| Use | For | Example |
| ---------------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Content** | Facts the chatbot knows | Your prices, opening hours, return policy |
| **Instructions** | Rules the chatbot follows | "Only answer questions about our products." |
| **Persona** | The tone of the answers | Professional, friendly, short or detailed |
The chatbot uses your persona and your active instructions in every answer. Put facts in your content or in a [custom response](/docs/guides/answers/custom-responses), not in instructions. To learn how these fit together, see [How answers work](/docs/concepts/how-answers-work).
## Before you start
* **Role:** Manager or higher. See [Team members](/docs/guides/account/team-members).
* **Plan:** any plan.
* Write down the rules you want. See [Example instructions](#example-instructions).
## Write instructions
In your chatbot's sidebar, select **Chatbot Instructions**. You can also go to **Settings** > **Instructions**.
Under **Custom Instructions**, select **Add New Instructions**.
In **Instructions**, write your rules. Write one rule per line, in plain words.
Select **Add Instructions**.
SiteGPT gives the new instruction set a name like "Custom Instructions #123". To rename it, edit it and change **Title**.
If this is your first instruction set, it becomes active at once. If you already have one, [choose which one is active](#choose-the-active-instructions).
## Choose the active instructions
Only one instruction set is active at a time. Put all your rules in that one set.
Go to **Settings** > **Instructions**.
Select the instruction set you want. To use no custom instructions, select **None** under **Default Instructions**.
Select **Save Changes**.
To see the rules in an instruction set, select **View Details**. You cannot delete the active instruction set. Select a different one first.
## Change the Creativity Level
Each instruction set has a **Creativity Level**. It controls how freely the chatbot words its answers.
On the **Instructions** page, select the **Edit** icon on the instruction set.
Move **Creativity Level** between **More Focused** (0) and **More Random & Creative** (1). The default is 0.5.
Select **Update Instructions**.
For support chatbots, keep the level low so answers stay close to your content. The **Creativity Level** only applies while that instruction set is active.
## Choose a persona
A persona sets the tone of every answer. There are 12 built-in personas:
| Persona | Tone |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Default** | Short and direct. Answers in 1 to 3 sentences when possible. |
| **Default (Classic)** | Clear, professional, and friendly, with complete answers. |
| **Neutral** | Objective and factual. |
| **Professional / Formal** | Polished and formal. No slang or contractions. |
| **Informative** | Detailed and educational, with examples. |
| **Engaging** | Conversational and lively. |
| **Inspirational** | Positive and encouraging. |
| **Playful / Funny** | Light-hearted, with humor. |
| **Sales Expert** | Highlights benefits and guides toward taking action. |
| **Consultant** | Advises, asks qualifying questions, then suggests solutions. |
| **Problem Solver** | Starts from the visitor's problem and presents solutions. |
| **Urgent & Action-Oriented** | Creates urgency and uses strong calls to action. |
If you do not choose a persona, the chatbot uses **Default**. **Default** keeps answers short. If your answers feel cut off, try **Default (Classic)** or **Informative**.
In your chatbot's sidebar, select **Chatbot Persona**. You can also go to **Settings** > **Personas**.
Select a persona under **Default Personas** or **Custom Personas**.
Select **Save Changes**.
## Add a custom persona
You cannot edit or delete the built-in personas. To use your own tone, add a custom persona.
On the **Personas** page, under **Custom Personas**, select **Add New Persona**.
Enter a **Title** and a short **Description**. In **Instructions**, describe the tone. For example: "Friendly and calm. Use simple words. Keep answers under 5 sentences."
Select **Add Persona**. If this is your first custom persona, it becomes active at once. Otherwise, select it and select **Save Changes** to make it active.
## Example instructions
These are examples. Change the names, links, and topics to match your business before you use them.
```text Example instructions theme={null}
You are the support assistant for Example Company.
Stay on topic:
Only answer questions about Example Company's products, orders, and services.
If a question is about something else, say that you can only help with Example Company topics.
When you do not know:
If the content does not answer the question, do not guess.
Say that you do not have that information and offer to connect the visitor with our team.
Ask for details first:
If a visitor asks which plan is right for them, ask how many people will use it before you recommend one.
Orders:
You cannot see orders. If a visitor asks about an order, give them this link to check it: https://example.com/orders
Booking:
When a visitor wants a demo or a meeting, give them this link: https://example.com/book
Dates:
Our summer sale runs from June 1 to June 30. Before that date, say the sale starts soon. After June 30, say the sale has ended.
Legal and medical topics:
Do not give legal, medical, or financial advice.
If a visitor asks for advice like this, say that you cannot give it and suggest that they speak to a qualified professional.
```
The current date and time are included in each conversation, so date rules like the one above work. The time comes from SiteGPT's server and may be in a different time zone from yours. Write date rules with dates, not times of day.
For more ways to keep the chatbot in scope, see [Keep answers on topic](/docs/guides/answers/keep-answers-on-topic).
## Check that it works
Open the chat button in the corner of your dashboard and start a new conversation. Ask a question that one of your rules covers. The answer follows the rule and uses the tone of your persona.
If the chatbot does not follow a rule, make the rule shorter and more direct. You can also try the GPT-4.1 model. See [Choose a model](/docs/guides/answers/choose-a-model).