AI glossary · Prompts and settings
System prompt
A system prompt is a set of background instructions that shapes how an AI behaves in every reply, such as its role, tone and rules. Users often don’t see it.
Also called system message, system instructions
In more detail
App makers use system prompts to turn a general model into a specific product, for example “You are a friendly support agent for an airline. Only answer questions about bookings.”
Everyday users can set something similar with custom instructions or when building a custom GPT. Attackers sometimes try to override system prompts with prompt injection.
Related terms
Custom instructionsCustom instructions are standing preferences you give a chatbot, like your job or preferred style, so it applies them to every conversation.PromptA prompt is the instruction or question you give an AI tool, such as a message to a chatbot or a description for an image generator.Custom GPTA custom GPT is a version of ChatGPT set up for one purpose, with its own instructions, files and tools, that you can build without coding and share.Prompt injectionPrompt injection is an attack where hidden instructions in content an AI reads, such as a web page or email, trick it into doing something it shouldn’t.
Browse related tools
AI tools listed on BroUseAI in these categories.
