# Define your agent's task and response style

URL: https://aihio.ai/en/help/ai-agent/instructions\
Description: Write clear instructions for what your agent helps with, how it responds and what it does when information is missing.

Instructions define your AI agent's task and behavior. Data sources contain the information it uses to answer. Keep these separate: put your returns policy in a source and use instructions to explain that the agent helps with returns questions.

## Before you start

Open the correct workspace and agent in Oma Aihio. You need permission to change the agent's settings. Keep a copy of the current instructions before replacing them.

> **Note — Saving can affect an agent already in use:**
>
> Saving instructions is different from publishing the knowledge base. Do not
> assume that settings changes wait for a separate whole-agent release. Make a
> focused change and check the responses after saving.

## Write and save instructions

1. **Open the Instructions field**

   Open the agent's AI settings and find **Instructions**. If you use an
   instruction template, read it before editing: choosing a different template
   can replace the current field content.
2. **Describe the task, boundaries and style**

   Explain who the agent helps, which questions it answers and when it directs
   the customer elsewhere. Include what to do when information is missing.
   Avoid conflicting rules.
3. **Save and check**

   Select **Save** and wait for confirmation. Then test a common question, an
   out-of-scope question and a question that the sources do not answer. Review
   the responses yourself.

## Example instructions

The following text is an editable example, not a guarantee of agent behavior:

```text
Help customers find information about our products and deliveries.
Keep responses brief and use clear language.
Base product and delivery answers on the data sources.
If information is missing, say so. Do not invent prices or delivery times.
Ask for one clarification at a time when needed.
```

Include a contact method only if customers can actually use it. An instruction to hand over to a human does not enable human support.

## If responses do not change

- Check that saving succeeded and you are testing the correct agent.
- Remove duplicate or conflicting instructions and try the same question in a new conversation.
- If the facts are wrong, correct the [data source](/en/help/ai-agent/knowledge) and update the knowledge base.
- If the change made responses worse, restore your saved copy of the instructions, save and retest.

Instructions do not guarantee correct answers. Keep a few important test questions and repeat them after each material change.
## Next steps

- [Data sources](/en/help/ai-agent/knowledge) — Add, inspect, and keep your AI agent’s data sources up to date in one view.