AI Instructions
The AI Instructions setting lets you customise how The Archiver's AI describes and writes about your collection. This is useful for ensuring consistent terminology, tone, and style across all AI-generated content.
What AI Instructions affect
Your instructions are applied whenever the AI:
- Writes descriptions of files during classification
- Generates narrative text in Dossier analyses
- Responds to questions in Explore sessions
- Produces any other written output
Examples of useful instructions
Consistent terminology
"Always refer to documents as 'records', not 'files' or 'documents'. Use 'creator' instead of 'author'."
Style and tone
"Write in formal academic English, suitable for publication in an archival journal. Avoid colloquialisms."
Subject matter context
"This archive focuses on the wool trade in West Yorkshire, 1850–1950. When describing commercial records, assume familiarity with wool processing and the Bradford textile industry."
Date format
"Always express dates in the format Day Month Year (e.g. 14 March 1923), not the American format."
Handling uncertain dates
"When a date is uncertain, use 'circa' followed by the year, e.g. 'circa 1930'. Do not use 'c.' or 'ca.'."
How to set your AI Instructions
- Go to Settings (click your avatar → Settings)
- Click the AI Instructions tab
- Type your instructions in the text box
- Click Save
Changes take effect immediately for all new AI operations.
Tips
Keep instructions concise. The AI works best with clear, direct instructions. Aim for a few specific rules rather than a long essay.
Test after changing. After updating your instructions, process a test file or run a quick Dossier analysis to check the output matches your expectations.
AI Instructions apply to your entire account. If you're on a Team plan, only admins can set the organisation-wide instructions — individual members can add their own personal instructions on top.