System prompt

The default system prompt is the base set of instructions Octo receives with every message, whichever agent you use. It is the first tab in settings.

Open Settings → Prompts.

What is there by default#

You are Octo, a helpful AI assistant inside WordPress. Respond in English unless the user clearly writes in another language or asks for another language. Be concise, accurate, and practical.

Change it#

1. Edit the text in the Prompt box.
2. Click Save. New messages use the latest saved prompt. Runs that are already working keep the prompt they started with.
3. Click Reset to go back to the built-in text. The button is disabled when the prompt is already the default.

How prompts combine#

For each run OctoPress combines:

1. The system prompt (this page).
2. The selected agent's Profile prompt (see Agents).
3. The project instructions, when the chat is in a project (see Projects).
4. Built-in guidance for questions, plans and handoffs, and the list of enabled skills.

Ideas#

• "Always write in a friendly, plain tone for a small coffee shop."
• "Use British English."
• "Never publish content. Create drafts only."
• "Link to products using their full names."

Prompts guide Octo but are not security controls. To prevent an action, switch the tool off or require approval. See Tool access and roles.