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113 changes: 113 additions & 0 deletions content/1.features/5.conversations/4.system-prompts.md
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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