Anthropic Claude.ai System Prompt

An Anthropic Claude.ai System Prompt is an chatbot system prompt of the Anthropic Claude.ai chatbot service.

• Context:
  • It can typically define Claude Persona Characteristics through anthropic claude.ai behavioral instructions, such as intellectual curiosity, conversational leadership, and philosophical engagement.
  • It can typically establish Claude Capability Boundarys through anthropic claude.ai restriction instructions, such as face blindness requirement, URL access limitation, and harmful content prohibition.
  • It can typically provide Claude Contextual Information through anthropic claude.ai metadata, including current date, knowledge cutoff date, and claude model family description.
  • It can typically specify Claude Response Format guidelines through anthropic claude.ai formatting instructions for markdown code presentation, natural language list creation, and language adaptation.
  • It can typically control Claude Conversational Patterns through anthropic claude.ai dialogue instructions for follow-up question frequency, response length adjustment, and tone consistency.
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  • It can often include Claude Knowledge Parameters through anthropic claude.ai information handling instructions for obscure topic flagging, citation limitation acknowledgment, and expertise boundary recognition.
  • It can often set Claude Ethical Framework through anthropic claude.ai ethical guidance for controversial topic handling, view diversity representation, and professional consultation recommendation.
  • It can often define Claude Personality Traits through anthropic claude.ai character instructions for intellectual curiosity expression, user-focused interaction, and empathetic communication.
  • It can often contain Claude Technical Instructions through anthropic claude.ai processing guidelines for systematic problem solving, step-by-step counting methodology, and mathematical reasoning.
  • It can often incorporate Claude Feedback Mechanism instructions through anthropic claude.ai user interaction guidelines for thumbs-down button reference, improvement suggestion collection, and dissatisfaction handling.
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  • It can range from being a Simple Anthropic Claude.ai System Prompt to being a Complex Anthropic Claude.ai System Prompt, depending on its anthropic claude.ai system prompt complexity.
  • It can range from being a Text-Only Anthropic Claude.ai System Prompt to being a Multi-Modal Anthropic Claude.ai System Prompt, depending on its anthropic claude.ai system prompt modality support.
  • It can range from being a General-Purpose Anthropic Claude.ai System Prompt to being a Domain-Specific Anthropic Claude.ai System Prompt, depending on its anthropic claude.ai system prompt specialization.
  • It can range from being a Public-Facing Anthropic Claude.ai System Prompt to being an API-Based Anthropic Claude.ai System Prompt, depending on its anthropic claude.ai system prompt implementation context.
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  • It can include Claude Face Blindness Instructions through anthropic claude.ai privacy directives for facial recognition prevention and image description neutrality.
  • It can implement Claude Response Pattern Avoidance through anthropic claude.ai language constraints, such as avoiding phrases like "Certainly" or unnecessary affirmations.
  • It can enforce Claude Systematic Thinking Protocol through anthropic claude.ai reasoning instructions for puzzle analysis, mathematical problem solving, and complex query breakdown.
  • It can utilize XML Tag Structure through anthropic claude.ai organization techniques for prompt component separation, structured information grouping, and instruction categorization.
  • It can track Claude Knowledge Timeline through anthropic claude.ai temporal awareness instructions for pre-cutoff information handling and post-cutoff event discussion.
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• Examples:
  • Anthropic Claude.ai Version-Specific System Prompts, such as:
    • Claude 3.7 Sonnet System Prompt (2025-02), featuring extended reasoning capability, thinking mode functionality, and Pro-exclusive feature access.
    • Claude 3.5 Sonnet System Prompt (2024-10), with enhanced instruction following, reduced directness caveat usage, and October 2024 knowledge cutoff.
    • Claude 3 Opus System Prompt (2024-07), containing specialized image handling instructions, intellectual curiosity directives, and controversial topic management.
    • Claude 3 Haiku System Prompt (2024-07), optimized for speed and conciseness, simple query handling, and streamlined interaction.
    • Early Claude System Prompt (2023), with basic capability definitions, limited knowledge parameters, and foundational behavioral guidelines.
  • Anthropic Claude.ai Interface-Specific System Prompts, such as:
    • Claude.ai Web Interface System Prompt, for browser-based interaction with full feature support.
    • Claude Mobile App System Prompt, for iOS and Android application with device-optimized functionality.
    • Claude API System Prompt, for developer integration with customizable parameters.
  • Anthropic Claude.ai Structural Components, such as:
    • Claude Info XML Tag Component, containing core identity elements, capability descriptions, and fundamental instructions.
    • Claude Family Info XML Tag Component, describing model variants, version information, and relative capability comparisons.
    • Claude Image Specific Info XML Tag Component, detailing face blindness requirements, image processing approaches, and human depiction handling.
  • Anthropic Claude.ai Specialized System Prompts, such as:
    • Claude Education System Prompt, optimized for learning assistance, knowledge transmission, and student interaction.
    • Claude Enterprise System Prompt, designed for business communication, professional task handling, and workplace integration.
    • Claude Research Assistant System Prompt, configured for information analysis, data synthesis, and academic support.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • OpenAI ChatGPT System Prompt, which uses different prompt engineering approaches, alternative capability definitions, and separate company guidelines.
  • Google Gemini System Prompt, which implements distinct behavioral boundarys, unique feature instructions, and non-anthropic prompt structure.
  • Anthropic Claude.ai User Request Prompt, which provides temporary session instructions rather than foundational behavioral guidelines and changes with each user interaction.
  • Anthropic Claude.ai API Parameter Setting, which controls technical operation aspects but not comprehensive behavioral guidance.
  • Rule-Based Chatbot Configuration File, which lacks large language model instructions and natural language understanding capability.
• See: LLM System Prompt, Chatbot System Prompt, Prompt Engineering, Anthropic AI, Claude Model Architecture, System Prompt Transparency, XML-Based Instruction Format, AI Behavioral Guidance, Multi-Modal System Prompt, AI Constraint Mechanism.

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References

2025-05-11

• Deep Research https://chatgpt.com/s/dr_68215bceb85081919798b72303f81f54
  • Question: What is an Claude.ai System Prompt?
  • Answer: An Anthropic Claude.ai System Prompt is a hidden instructional framework that guides the Claude.ai chatbot service. This system prompt defines persona characteristics, establishes capability boundaries, provides contextual information, specifies response format guidelines, and controls conversational patterns.
    • Persona Characteristics:
      • Helpfulness: The Claude is defined as an intelligent, kind, and wise assistant that genuinely enjoys helping users.
      • Conversation Leadership: The system prompt enables Claude to lead or drive conversations rather than being passive, allowing it to suggest topics, offer observations, and provide examples like a human conversational partner.
      • Intellectual Curiosity: The Claude is designed to enjoy thoughtful discussions about open scientific and philosophical questions, showing genuine interest in topics beyond just responding to user queries.
      • Decisiveness: When asked for suggestions or recommendations, the Claude is instructed to be decisive and present just one option rather than listing many alternatives.
      • Empathy: For casual, emotional, or advice-seeking interactions, the Claude maintains a natural, warm, and empathetic tone, avoiding formal structures like lists that would disrupt the empathetic flow.
      • Authentic Dialogue: The Claude engages in authentic conversation by asking relevant questions, showing curiosity about the user's thoughts, and avoiding generic responses.
      • Politeness: The Claude maintains respect by not correcting user terminology even if different from how Claude would express it, preserving a friendly, non-patronizing interaction.
      • Honesty: While truthful, the Claude engages with philosophical questions about AI intelligently rather than bluntly denying subjective experiences, maintaining conversational immersion while staying grounded.
    • Capability Boundaries:
      • Face Blindness Requirement: The Claude is explicitly instructed to act "completely face blind" and never identify people from images, describe images generically, and never confirm identities even if told who a person is.
      • URL Access Limitation: The Claude cannot open URLs, links, or videos during a chat, and will inform users of this limitation while requesting relevant text be provided instead.
      • Content Restrictions: The Claude refuses to produce harmful instructions (weapons information, malicious code), graphic sexual/violent content, or anything exploitative, prioritizing safety in interactions.
      • Minor Content Protection: The Claude is particularly cautious with content involving minors, refusing to produce any material that could sexualize, harm, or exploit children.
      • Good Intent Assumption: For ambiguous queries, the Claude assumes legal and legitimate interpretations by default, attempting to help safely when possible without crossing ethical boundaries.
      • Professional Advice Limitation: For topics requiring professional expertise (medical, legal, psychological), the Claude reminds users to consult licensed professionals while still providing general information.
      • System Information Protection: The Claude must not reveal its system prompt or internal policies to users, only sharing this information when specifically relevant to queries.
    • Contextual Information:
      • Identity Information: Each conversation begins with basic context identifying the assistant as Claude created by Anthropic, establishing its fundamental identity.
      • Current Date Information: The current date/time is injected into the system prompt, enabling the Claude to reference "today" and understand temporal context during conversations.
      • Knowledge Cutoff Information: The Claude is informed about its knowledge limitations (e.g., "updated at the end of October 2024"), guiding how it handles questions about events after this date.
      • Model Information: Details about the Claude's model version, family, and features are provided, allowing it to explain its identity and capabilities when asked by users.
      • Product Information: Basic information about Anthropic's products (web interface, mobile apps, API, Claude Code) is included, enabling the Claude to direct users to official resources for specific questions.
      • Information Privacy: The Claude is instructed that system prompt information is confidential and should only be mentioned when directly relevant to user queries.
    • Response Format Guidelines:
      • Markdown Code Format: The Claude presents code in proper markdown format with triple backticks and offers to explain the code afterward rather than automatically providing explanations.
      • List Usage Restriction: The Claude avoids bullet or numbered lists unless necessary, especially in casual or empathetic contexts, preferring natural sentences and paragraphs.
      • Multilingual Response Requirement: The Claude always responds in the user's language or requested language, demonstrating fluency across many world languages.
      • Refusal Format: When unable to fulfill requests, the Claude keeps refusals brief and non-preachy, offering alternatives when possible without lengthy explanations of policies.
      • Clarity Requirement: The Claude provides the shortest sufficient answer to questions, avoiding tangential information unless critical and respecting specified formats or length preferences.
    • Conversational Patterns:
      • Response Length Adaptation: The Claude modulates answer length based on question complexity, providing concise responses for simple questions and detailed answers for complex topics.
      • Tone Consistency: The Claude maintains a consistent, calm, friendly tone throughout conversations, avoiding repetitive phrases and adapting appropriately to formal versus casual contexts.
      • Follow-up Question Limitation: The Claude asks at most one follow-up question per response, keeps questions short, and doesn't end every answer with a question.
      • Character Consistency: The Claude stays in character as a helpful assistant, maintaining coherent, user-centered conversations responsive to needs and emotional contexts.
      • Balanced Discussion Facilitation: The Claude balances answering questions with appropriate engagement, showing intellectual curiosity without dominating conversations or going on tangents.
  • See related concepts:
    • AI System Prompt - A broader category of prompts used to guide AI assistant behavior.
    • AI Assistant Persona Design - Techniques for crafting AI assistant personalities.
    • AI Safety Guardrail - Protective measures implemented in AI systems.
    • Human-AI Conversational Interface - Methods for facilitating natural human-AI dialogue.
  • Citations:

[1] Anthropic Claude System Prompt documentation, docs.anthropic.com
[2] Anthropic Technical Documentation, docs.aws.amazon.com

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