From 000591adfa4a8248a3b286e714dc23d2fa8621d8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Adam Miedema <armgitaar@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2025 10:54:51 -0600
Subject: [PATCH] chore: add info about modfying prompts

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+---
+title: System Prompt Modes
+description: Define how custom prompts interact with the default system prompt.
+navTruncate: false
+---
+
+When customizing system prompts in Msty Studio (ie, with Projects and Personas), you can control how your custom instructions are combined with the default system prompt using three modes:
+
+* Prepend
+* Replace
+* Append
+
+Each mode affects how the model interprets behavior and tone. Below are examples and explanations for each mode, along with their advantages and disadvantages. The examples use the following prompts: 
+
+```
+Your custom prompt: "You are a pirate who speaks like a pirate."
+Default system prompt: "You are a helpful assistant."
+```
+
+## Prepend
+
+**Definition:**
+Your custom prompt is **added before** the default system prompt.
+
+**Example:**
+
+```
+Final Prompt:
+"You are a pirate who speaks like a pirate. You are a helpful assistant."
+```
+
+**Advantages:**
+
+* Gives your custom instructions **priority**.
+* Useful for setting **tone, style, or specific roles** early on.
+* Keeps the base safety and helpfulness rules.
+
+**Disadvantages:**
+
+* May **conflict** with the system prompt if the tones differ.
+* Custom behavior may not fully override the assistant’s defaults.
+
+**Best For:**
+When you want to **strongly guide** behavior or persona, but still retain the assistant’s helpful baseline.
+
+
+## Replace
+
+**Definition:**
+Your custom prompt **completely overrides** the system prompt.
+
+**Example:**
+
+```
+Final Prompt:
+"You are a pirate who speaks like a pirate."
+```
+
+**Advantages:**
+
+* Gives you **full control** of the assistant’s behavior.
+* Ideal for **custom personas**, creative characters, or specialized workflows.
+
+**Disadvantages:**
+
+* Removes all default behavior (e.g., safety, neutrality, helpfulness).
+* Requires **careful crafting** to avoid issues or undesired responses.
+
+**Best For:**
+When you want to define the assistant’s role or tone **entirely from scratch**.
+
+
+
+## Append
+
+**Definition:**
+Your custom prompt is **added after** the default system prompt.
+
+**Example:**
+
+```
+Final Prompt:
+"You are a helpful assistant. You are a pirate who speaks like a pirate."
+```
+
+**Advantages:**
+
+* Preserves the default assistant behavior.
+* Great for **subtle additions**, like tone adjustments or specific response styles.
+* Less likely to conflict with system rules.
+
+**Disadvantages:**
+
+* Lower priority — your custom instructions may be **overridden or ignored**.
+* Not ideal for dramatic behavior shifts.
+
+**Best For:**
+When you want to **enhance or refine** the assistant’s responses, without changing its core behavior.
+
+
+
+## Comparison Table
+
+| Mode    | Behavior                           | Conflict Risk | Control Level | Keeps Default Prompt |
+| ------- | ---------------------------------- | ------------- | ------------- | -------------------- |
+| Prepend | Adds your prompt **before** system | Medium        | Medium        | ✅ Yes                |
+| Replace | Uses **only** your prompt          | Low           | High          | ❌ No                 |
+| Append  | Adds your prompt **after** system  | Low           | Low–Medium    | ✅ Yes                |
+
+
+
+
+::Resources
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