In short
Open “Settings” → “General” and write your preferences under “Custom instructions”, for example “Use metric units and 24-hour times.” Below it, choose an “Answer length”. Both apply to every question you ask in the chat; for a single answer, follow up, edit your message or generate another answer.
- Where
- Settings → General → Custom instructions
- Answer length
- Minimal, Short or Normal
- Applies to
- Your chat questions; chips on selected text follow their own instruction
- Saving
- Automatic, no save button
Set up your instructions
- Click “Settings” (the gear icon) in the Zack KI title bar and open “General”.
- In the “Custom instructions” field, write in plain sentences what Zack KI should keep in mind.
- Under “Answer length”, choose “Minimal”, “Short” or “Normal”.
- Close the settings and ask a question. The next answer follows the new settings.
- To clear your text, click the reset arrow next to the field and confirm with “Reset”.
What should I put in my custom instructions?
Things that apply to almost every question. Short sentences work best:
- “I work in customer support for a bicycle shop. Assume questions are about bikes and spare parts.”
- “Use metric units and 24-hour times.”
- “When you suggest email text, keep it friendly and without exclamation marks.”
- “Explain technical terms the first time you use them.”
Instructions do not override the answer length. If you write “always answer in detail” but choose “Minimal”, the length setting wins. Use “Answer length” for length and the instructions for content and tone.
The chips “Improve”, “Fix errors”, “Explain” and “Summarize”, including Alt+3 and Alt+4, ignore your custom instructions when they run on selected or typed text. You adjust them under “Settings” → “Chips”; see Custom AI actions.
How long are the answers?
| Answer length | Typical answer |
|---|---|
| Minimal | Up to two sentences |
| Short | Up to three sentences |
| Normal | Up to four sentences |
How do I fix one answer without starting over?
Instructions set the default. For a single answer, use the controls in the chat; they appear when you point at a message:
- Follow up: type “Shorter, and as a bulleted list” into the same chat. Zack KI sends the recent conversation along, so you do not repeat the context.
- Edit your question: click “Edit message” on your message, change the text and press Enter. Esc cancels. Zack KI answers the edited version.
- Another answer: click “Generate another answer”. The arrows “Previous version” and “Next version” switch between versions, and a counter such as 2/3 shows where you are. Each version keeps its own follow-up conversation.
- Stop: click “Stop” while the answer is still being written. The text written so far stays visible.
- Copy: “Copy answer” copies the whole answer, the copy icon on a text or code block (“Copy code”) only that block.
Related questions
How much of a long chat does Zack KI remember?
It sends roughly the last eight exchanges with each new question. In a very long chat, earlier parts drop out, so repeat important details or start a new chat.
Do custom instructions use credits?
A little. They are sent with every chat question and count as input, so keep them short.
Why can’t I send my next question?
An answer is still running. Wait until it is finished, or click “Stop” first.