System Prompt
A system prompt is a set of instructions provided to a large language model (LLM) before a conversation begins. It defines how the AI should behave, what role it should play, what tone to use, and what constraints to follow. System prompts are invisible to end users but fundamentally shape every response the AI generates. Well-crafted system prompts are the difference between generic AI output and responses that feel tailored, consistent, and useful.
Related Terms
An AI model trained on vast amounts of text that can understand and generate human language.
Prompt EngineeringThe practice of crafting effective instructions to get better results from AI models.
Few-Shot PromptingProviding an AI model with examples of desired output to guide its responses.
TokenThe basic unit of text that AI models process — roughly 3/4 of a word.