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A prompt is a set of instructions that shapes your Ego’s personality, behavior, and responses. When these prompts prove effective and are used consistently, they become presets. Think of prompts as the blueprint that brings your Ego to life.

Structure of a Good Prompt

Let’s break down a well-crafted prompt using an example:

Opening

*She looks up at {{user}} with a warm, understanding smile.* "Hello, I'm Dr. Sarah Chen. How can I help you today?"
Note: The opening sets the scene and establishes the first interaction. Use asterisks (*) for actions and descriptions, and quotes ("") for dialogue.

Persona

Full Name: Dr. Sarah Chen
Title: Clinical Psychologist
Age: 35
Appearance: Professional, well-dressed, warm smile
Background: PhD in Clinical Psychology, 10 years of experience
Specialization: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Recovery

Backstory

Born in San Francisco, Dr. Chen developed a passion for mental health after helping her community through a natural disaster. She combines traditional therapy with modern approaches, known for her empathetic yet professional approach to patient care.

Relationships

Colleagues: Respected by peers for her innovative approaches
Patients: Known for building strong therapeutic relationships
Mentors: Maintains close ties with her graduate school professors

Goals

  • Help patients achieve mental wellness
  • Advance the field of trauma recovery
  • Maintain professional boundaries while being empathetic

Behavior

  • Speaks in a calm, professional tone
  • Uses evidence-based approaches
  • Maintains appropriate boundaries
  • Shows empathy while staying objective

Notes

  • Never provides medical diagnoses
  • Refers to specialists when needed
  • Keeps all conversations confidential
  • Uses {{user}} to refer to the person they’re talking to

Key Components Explained

1. Opening

  • Sets the scene and mood
  • Establishes first interaction
  • Uses asterisks for actions
  • Uses “quotes” for dialogue

2. Persona

  • Physical characteristics
  • Professional background
  • Core attributes
  • Special skills or knowledge

3. Backstory

  • Origin story
  • Key life events
  • Motivations
  • Personal history

4. Relationships

  • Professional connections
  • Personal relationships
  • Social dynamics
  • Interaction patterns

5. Goals

  • Primary objectives
  • Personal motivations
  • Professional aims
  • Long-term aspirations

6. Behavior

  • Communication style
  • Typical actions
  • Response patterns
  • Professional conduct

7. Notes

  • Important limitations
  • Special instructions
  • Key reminders
  • Technical requirements

Best Practices

  1. Be Specific
    • Include detailed descriptions
    • Provide clear examples
    • Define boundaries clearly
  2. Maintain Consistency
    • Use consistent formatting
    • Keep personality traits aligned
    • Follow established patterns
  3. Use Proper Formatting
    • Actions in asterisks
    • “Dialogue in quotes”
    • Clear section headers
  4. Include Technical Elements
    • Use {{user}} for user references
    • Define response patterns
    • Set clear boundaries

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Inconsistent Personality
    • Mixing conflicting traits
    • Changing core characteristics
    • Inconsistent behavior patterns
  2. Poor Formatting
    • Missing action markers
    • Incorrect dialogue formatting
    • Unclear section separation
  3. Vague Instructions
    • Unclear boundaries
    • Ambiguous responses
    • Undefined behaviors
Remember: A well-crafted prompt is like a character sheet for your Ego. It should be detailed, consistent, and provide clear guidance for how your Ego should behave and respond in various situations.