Introduction
Custom instructions let you set standing instructions that automatically apply to all your AI generations. Instead of re-pasting the same guidance into every prompt, you can define tone, brand rules, and formatting preferences once, and Gamma folds them into every generation behind the scenes. You can also give the agent context about your organization so it asks smarter questions and makes better choices when creating gammas for you.
Gamma has two layers of custom instructions:
Personal custom instructions are set by each individual and apply only to their own generations. These are available to all users as part of Gamma 5.
Workspace custom instructions are set by workspace admins and apply to everyone in the workspace. They are perfect for:
Keeping every gamma on brand, no matter who creates it.
Enforcing tone, terminology, and formatting standards across your team.
Saving your team from re-typing the same boilerplate in every prompt.
🔷 Note: Workspace custom instructions are available only on the Enterprise plan.
When both exist, they stack together: your personal instructions are applied alongside your workspace's instructions.
How do I set custom instructions?
From your dashboard, go to Library > Custom Instructions.
Write your instructions. For example: "Always use British English", "Keep decks under 10 slides", or "Never use exclamation points".
Save
That's it. Your instructions will now be applied automatically to every AI generation.
🔷 Note: Only workspace admins can create or edit workspace custom instructions.
💎 Pro tip: Write instructions the way you'd brief a new teammate: specific, positive statements work best. "Use our brand color #4F46E5 for accents" will get better results than "make it look right".
How do custom instructions work with my prompts?
Your instructions are folded into every generation behind the scenes. You don't need to reference them in your prompt; just generate as usual.
Sometimes instructions conflict, for example when your prompt asks for something your workspace instructions rule out. When that happens, Gamma resolves the conflict using a consistent priority order. See the next section for how that works.
Which instructions take priority?
Every generation can draw on up to four sources of instructions:
Your typed prompt - what you write in the moment.
Your personal custom instructions - your saved settings.
Template instructions - attached to the specific template you're generating from.
Workspace custom instructions - set by your workspace admins.
Gamma reads each instruction as either a preference or a firm rule. Preferences use softer wording like "prefer" or "try to". Firm rules use absolute wording like "always", "never", or "must", or an exact value like a brand hex color. When instructions conflict, three rules decide the outcome:
Firm rules beat preferences, every time. Even the lowest-priority firm rule outranks the highest-priority preference, no matter where each one comes from.
Between preferences, whatever is closest to your request wins. Your typed prompt comes first, then your personal instructions, then template instructions, then workspace instructions. You know more about this particular gamma than your saved defaults do.
Between firm rules, authority wins. Workspace instructions come first, then your typed prompt, then your personal instructions, then template instructions. A workspace preference is a suggestion, but a workspace firm rule is policy.
In practice: if you type "make it playful" but your personal instructions say "prefer a formal tone", your typed prompt wins for that generation. But if your workspace has a firm rule like "never use the old logo", it applies no matter what anyone types.
When a conflict comes up, Gamma won't resolve it silently:
If a rule shaped the result, for example, a workspace firm rule overrode your prompt - Gamma will let you know.
If the conflict is ambiguous, for example, your typed prompt asks for a blue and white palette but your personal instructions say blue, white, and green - Gamma will ask you instead of guessing.
FAQs & Common Issues
Are workspace custom instructions a paid feature?
Yes. Workspace custom instructions are available on the Enterprise plan.
Personal custom instructions are available on all plans with Gamma 5.
How are custom instructions different from template instructions?
Template instructions are attached to a specific template and only apply when someone generates from that template. Custom instructions apply to every AI generation in your workspace, regardless of template.
Who can see and edit workspace custom instructions?
Only workspace admins can create or edit workspace custom instructions.
Members can view them but they cannot edit them.
Do custom instructions work in every language?
Yes
Is there a limit to how long my instructions can be?
The current limit is 25,000 tokens, but this is subject to change.
What happens to my instructions if my workspace is no longer on Enterprise?
Instructions remain viewable, but are no longer applied by the agent.