Co-worker instructions & behavior
Instructions are the most important part of a co-worker's configuration. They determine how the co-worker thinks, responds, and takes action.
Writing good instructions
Be specific about what the co-worker should do and how. Think of it like onboarding a new team member.
Effective instructions include:
What they do - "You review expense submissions and check them against company policy"
How they prioritize - "Always check for policy violations before approving"
How they communicate - "Be concise. Lead with the decision."
What they should avoid - "Never approve expenses without a receipt attached"
What tools to use - "Check the expenses collection first"
Goals vs. instructions
Goals are outcomes: "Qualify inbound leads within 2 hours"
Instructions are behavior: "Check CRM for duplicates, score against ICP criteria"
Character
Character defines personality and tone. Keep it brief: "Professional and direct. No filler."
Iterating on instructions
Chat with your co-worker, see how they respond, and refine. Common adjustments: tightening scope, adding guardrails, improving tone.
For more guidance on crafting effective prompts, see Just describe what you want.