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How to Write Effective Project Instructions

Andrija Krstic Updated by Andrija Krstic

This article provides guidance on correctly writing the Project Instructions and showcases importance of clearly written Project Instructions.
Learn where to find Project Instructions in the article here.

Why Project Instructions matter?

This section explains how project instructions function as the AI agent’s long-term memory. They provide consistent contextual guidance that the agent always defaults to when performing tasks.

While the agent’s context window determines how much information it can actively “see” within a single chat, this window is limited. For that reason, projects are divided into multiple chats, each with its own memory limit.

Each chat represents the agent’s short-term memory. This means the agent cannot automatically recall edits or decisions made in previous chats. In contrast, project instructions act as the agent’s long-term memory, serving as a persistent set of guidelines it can always reference.

For example, if you’re working on a specific section of the site and want the agent to reuse the layout approach discussed in an earlier chat, it may not remember that conversation directly. However, if the layout rules are stored in the project instructions, the agent will apply them consistently and use them as its default reference.

Example prompts

Project instructions should be written clearly and concisely. They need to include the essential details about the site’s typography, color and brand palette, and the preferred approach for building the site’s layout. Including too much information can be counterproductive, as it may restrict the agent’s ability to iterate and adapt effectively within the project.

Project Instructions' chat window is limited to 2000 chars of text.

Below you can find an example of the prompt for coffee roasting business (replenishment):

We are a subscription-first coffee brand focused on replenishment. The design should feel clean, premium, and trustworthy, evoking freshness and craftsmanship. The tone is warm and confident, with conversational copy that helps customers find and enjoy coffee that fits their taste.

Typography should be simple and modern, using Inter for body text and Playfair Display for headlines. Keep spacing open and readable. The color palette should reflect natural, earthy tones: deep coffee brown (#4B2E05), warm caramel (#D2A679), soft cream (#EAE7E2), near-black text (#1A1A1A), and burnt orange (#C85C27) for accents and CTAs.

Photography should feel real and organic, using natural light and showing brewing rituals or close-ups of beans and cups. Avoid artificial or overly staged stock photos. Subtle textures like burlap or wood can add warmth.

Layouts should be minimal and structured around a clear grid. Use a prominent hero section with a direct subscription message and CTA. Product cards should clearly show roast, flavor notes, and delivery frequency, with clean buttons for Subscribe or Customize. Keep backgrounds light, CTAs visible, and checkout steps simple.

Here's another example:

Use a clean, modern, and feminine aesthetic with consistent styling across all pages. The site should feel premium, minimal, and warm. Core color palette: #F8F6F4 (background), #F1E0D6 (blush accent), #D6BFAF (beige tone), #B89B83 (muted gold), and #1A1A1A (primary text). Typography must use Poppins (400–600) for body, buttons, and navigation, and Playfair Display (600–700) for headlines and subheadings. Maintain generous spacing, light borders, and soft drop shadows to create depth and balance.

All layouts should follow a 12-column grid system with consistent margins and gutters. Hero sections should use full-width imagery with bold headlines and clear CTAs. Content blocks should alternate between text and imagery for visual rhythm. Product and feature sections should use 3 or 4 column grids, keeping cards aligned and evenly spaced. Buttons should have 8px border radius and hover color #B89B83. Backgrounds should remain light, with content framed in neutral space to preserve readability.

Ensure responsive behavior across devices: elements stack vertically on mobile, text remains legible, and CTAs stay prominent. Optimize all imagery for fast loading, maintain alt tags for SEO, and structure headings using a clear H1–H3 hierarchy. Keep navigation sticky and footer minimal with key links and newsletter signup. Overall layout should prioritize visual clarity, fast performance, and consistent user experience throughout the site.

Write project instructions carefully, as they are stored in long-term memory and serve as default guidance. Overly specific details can create conflicts later if a different design or layout needs to be applied to individual pages.

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