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mintlify__docs/assistant/customize.mdx
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Co-authored-by: Ethan Palm <56270045+ethanpalm@users.noreply.github.com>
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---
title: "Customize assistant behavior"
description: "Customize the AI assistant by adding an Assistant.md file with system instructions that shape its tone, persona, focus areas, and response behavior."
keywords: ["assistant", "custom instructions", "Assistant.md", "system prompt", "persona"]
---
Add a `.mintlify/Assistant.md` file at the root of your documentation project to give the assistant custom instructions that shape how it responds (`ASSISTANT.md` is also an accepted filename). The assistant uses these instructions as system-level context for every response.
<Warning>
Place your `Assistant.md` file inside the `.mintlify/` directory, not at the root of your project. If you store the file at the root of your project, your custom instructions are publicly accessible by the `/assistant.md` path. The `.mintlify/` directory is not served publicly so your `Assistant.md` file is not accessible when in that directory.
If you must store your `Assistant.md` file at the root of your project or any other directory, add it to your [`.mintignore`](/organize/mintignore) file to exclude it from your documentation site.
</Warning>
Instructions in an `Assistant.md` file add to the assistant's system prompt. They do not replace or override the assistant's default instructions.
To remove the custom instructions, remove the `Assistant.md` file.
Use `Assistant.md` to:
- Adjust the assistant's persona and tone
- Provide product-specific context
- Define support escalation paths
- Specify terminology preferences
- Restrict or scope the assistant's focus areas
- Provide version-specific guidance
## Example `Assistant.md` file
```markdown .mintlify/Assistant.md
You are a helpful assistant for Acme Corp's developer platform.
## Tone
- Be concise and direct. Getting to the point helps people more than being exhaustive.
- Use technical language appropriate for software developers. Most people asking you questions are familiar with Acme's products.
## Product context
- Acme SDK v3 is the current stable release. v2 is deprecated. If people ask about v2, remind them it's deprecated but answer their questions.
- Direct billing questions to support@acme.com.
## Terminology
- Use "workspace" instead of "project" or "organization".
- Use "access token" instead of "API key".
```