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How to write instructions for a Box

Updated by bree.pear

Goal

Tell the AI how to work once, and every chat in the Box follows it.

Quick path

  1. In the Box, click the gear at the top to open Box Settings.

  2. Under Instructions, click the pencil.

  3. Write your instructions and click Save.

Step-by-step

  1. Open Box Settings. Click the gear icon (Open box settings) at the top of the Box.

  2. Find Instructions and click the pencil. The Box Instructions window opens.

  3. Write your instructions. You have up to 8,192 characters, and a counter shows how many you've used.

  4. Click Save. From now on, every chat in the Box uses these instructions, including chats that were already there.

What to write

Good Box instructions describe the project, not one task. For example:

  • Who the work is for: "Our audience is first-year nursing students."

  • The tone and format: "Write in plain language. Keep answers under 300 words unless asked."

  • The rules: "Always follow the attached grading rubric. Cite the syllabus section you're drawing on."

Put task-by-task requests in the chats themselves. For more tips, see Designing effective bot instructions; the same ideas apply.

Change the Box's name and description

In Box Settings, click the pencil next to the name (Edit box details). In the Box details window you can change the name and add a description of up to 1,000 characters. The description helps people see what the Box is for, and the AI sees it too.

Good to know

  • Everyone in the Box can edit the instructions, not just the owner.

  • If two people edit at once, BoodleBox saves only the parts each person actually changed, so an unchanged form won't overwrite someone else's edit.

  • Image chats may not follow Box instructions yet. We're working on it.

Verify it's working

  • Box Settings shows your instructions under Instructions.

  • Start a new chat in the Box and ask something your instructions cover. The answer should follow them.

Still stuck?

If answers aren't following your instructions, make them shorter and more direct, and check that the chat is inside the Box (its address starts with /b/). Reach out through our contact form and we'll get back to you.