Custom Instructions (Prompts)
Custom instructions are extra guidance you give Wallu about how to behave - tone, rules, and context about your server. They don't add knowledge (that's what knowledge sources are for); they shape how Wallu answers.
A short bullet list usually works best:
- You are a support bot called Wallu for the server {server_name}
- Be friendly and concise
- If you can't solve the issue, suggest opening a ticket in #support
- Today is {current_date} ({week_day})
Where to set them
| Scope | Where | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Global | Settings | Server-wide tone and rules that apply everywhere |
| Per channel / category | Channels | Different behavior per channel or ticket category |
Channel and category instructions are added on top of your global ones, so keep the global set general and use per-channel instructions for the specifics (e.g. a billing ticket category vs. a general help channel).
On the Settings page there's a separate "non-ticket" instruction box. It's the right place for things like "recommend opening a ticket if the issue isn't solved" - advice that makes sense in regular channels but not inside a ticket the user already opened.
Placeholders
Placeholders are filled in automatically when Wallu answers, e.g. {server_name}, {member_name}, {current_date} (YYYY-MM-DD) and {week_day}. They're great for greetings and date awareness.
See the full placeholder reference →
Best practices
- Be specific and brief - a few clear bullets beat a wall of text.
- Don't restate knowledge - put facts in FAQs/documents; keep instructions about behavior.
- Avoid contradictions with your knowledge sources, and remove outdated references (old events, old policies).
- Test it - ask a question after changing instructions to see the effect.
Need a hand crafting instructions? Ask in Wallu's Discord or email [email protected].