How to Write Effective Rules for Your AI Assistant
Rules define how your AI assistant communicates — not just what it knows. Well-written rules ensure consistent tone, correct behavior, and answers that match your brand and expectations.
In AiFaqChat, rules are simple instructions written in plain language — no coding required.
What Are AI Rules?
Rules are global guidelines that shape how the AI responds across all chats. They influence tone, level of detail, and how certain topics are handled.
Think of rules as a short “playbook” for your AI assistant.
Rule Writing Basics
- Write rules in clear, simple sentences
- Use plain language — any language works
- Focus on behavior, not technical instructions
Avoid vague statements like “Be helpful.” Instead, explain how the assistant should be helpful.
1. Define the Tone
Start by deciding how your AI should sound.
- Friendly and conversational
- Professional and concise
- Technical and detailed
Example rule:
“Use a friendly and professional tone. Keep answers clear and easy to understand.”
2. Control Answer Length
Specify whether answers should be short or detailed.
Example rule:
“Keep answers short and to the point. Use bullet points when possible.”
3. Set Boundaries
Rules are especially useful for defining what the AI should not do.
- Avoid legal or medical advice
- Do not guess unknown information
- Redirect users to support when needed
Example rule:
“If you are unsure, say you don’t know and suggest contacting support.”
4. Guide How Questions Are Answered
You can instruct the AI on how to structure answers.
- Step-by-step explanations
- Simple summaries first, details later
- Use examples when helpful
Example rule:
“When explaining processes, use step-by-step instructions.”
5. Handle Sensitive Topics
If your site covers pricing, accounts, or policies, rules help avoid misunderstandings.
Example rule:
“For billing or account issues, provide general guidance and recommend contacting support.”
6. Avoid Conflicts with Training Content
Rules should guide behavior — not contradict facts in your training data.
- Don’t override product details in rules
- Let training content define facts
- Use rules for style and decision-making
Good Rules vs Bad Rules
Bad rule:
“Answer everything perfectly.”
Good rule:
“Answer using only the provided training data. If the answer is not available, say so clearly.”
Start Simple, Improve Over Time
You don’t need many rules. A small set of clear guidelines works better than a long list.
As you review conversations, you can refine rules to fix issues or improve response quality.
Final Tip
Rules should reflect how a helpful human would respond — polite, honest, and clear.
Ready to define your AI’s behavior? Set up your site, add training content.