> Documentation index: [/llms.txt](/llms.txt). Every page as one file: [/llms-full.txt](/llms-full.txt).

# Write prompt templates

Write prompt templates [#write-prompt-templates]

A prompt template is a saved system prompt: the instructions that set an agent's role, tone and rules. Write it once and start any agent, or a single chat message, from it.

Open **Agents** > **Prompts** in the sidebar. The list shows your workspace's templates; **Alo** and **Platform** show the built-in ones.

<img alt="The Prompts page with two workspace templates, Supplier Email Drafter and Finance Analyst Voice, and the Space, Alo and Platform filter" src="__img0" />

| Filter       | Shows                                       |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Space**    | Templates created in this workspace.        |
| **Alo**      | Built-in templates of Alomana's own agents. |
| **Platform** | Every built-in template.                    |

Select a tag under the search box to narrow the list.

Create a template [#create-a-template]

1. Select **New prompt**.
2. Fill in the fields and select **Create Template**.

<img alt="The editor of the Finance Analyst Voice template with Name, Description, Tags and its Instructions" src="__img1" />

| Field            | What to enter                                        |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Name**         | How the template appears in lists and pickers.       |
| **Description**  | One line shown in the template picker.               |
| **Tags**         | Labels to filter templates by.                       |
| **Instructions** | The system prompt itself, in plain text or Markdown. |

Every template you create is shared with the whole workspace.

Edit, copy or delete a template [#edit-copy-or-delete-a-template]

Select a template's name to edit it, then **Save changes*&#x2A;. The &#x2A;*⋮** menu at the end of a row has:

| Action                | What it does                                                                           |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Edit**              | Opens the template.                                                                    |
| **Delete**            | Deletes it after you confirm. This cannot be undone.                                   |
| **Fork to customize** | Built-in templates only: copies the template into this workspace so you can change it. |

Start an agent from a template [#start-an-agent-from-a-template]

In the agent editor, open **Prompt** and select **Start from a template**, then pick a template. Its text replaces what is in the **System prompt** box.

The agent stays linked to the template:

* When the agent runs, it gets the template's text as it was when the agent was last published. If you changed the text in the **System prompt** box, it gets the template's text followed by yours.
* Editing the template reaches an agent linked to it when that agent is next published. Until then the agent's editor and card show **Update available**. Built-in agents from Alomana take the change at once.
* Deleting the template unlinks it from the agents' drafts; they keep only their own **System prompt** text from their next publish.

<img alt="The Start from a template list in the agent editor, with the workspace's two templates first" src="__img2" />

Use a template in a chat [#use-a-template-in-a-chat]

1. In the composer, type &#x2A;*/** and select **Browse skill marketplace**.

2. In the **Library** window, select **Prompt**, then the template.

   <img alt="The Add to chat Library window on the Prompt section with the workspace's templates" src="__img3" />

3. Select **Save**. The template shows as a chip above your message.

   <img alt="The composer with a Finance Analyst Voice chip above a message asking for commentary on March freight costs" src="__img4" />

4. Send your message.

* The template's instructions are used instead of the agent's own instructions for the message.
* The chip clears when the message is sent. Add the template again for the next message, or select &#x2A;*×** on the chip to drop it before sending.
* Selecting the chip shows the template's text.

To manage prompt templates with an API key, see [Create and configure an agent](/docs/api/configurable-agents/create-and-configure#prompt-templates-and-skills) in the API documentation.