Creating a Custom Prompt
Learn how to craft prompts for different actions, apps, and writing styles.
How VoiceInk Sends Text to AI
When AI Enhancement runs, VoiceInk sends your dictated text and any enabled context as tagged text.
| Tag | What it contains |
|---|---|
<USER_MESSAGE> | The raw dictated speech from the recording. This is usually the main text to transform. |
<CURRENTLY_SELECTED_TEXT> | Selected text from the active app, if Selected Text context is enabled and available. |
<CLIPBOARD_CONTEXT> | Clipboard text, if Clipboard context is enabled and available. |
<CURRENT_WINDOW_CONTEXT> | Text extracted from the active window, if Screen context is enabled and available. |
<CUSTOM_VOCABULARY> | Vocabulary terms, names, acronyms, or technical words saved in VoiceInk. |
Use System Template
For most dictation cleanup prompts, keep Use System Template enabled. VoiceInk wraps your prompt with shared instructions.
With the system template enabled, your custom prompt can work well by describing only the task-specific behavior:
Polish the dictated speech in <USER_MESSAGE> into a concise Slack message.
# Rules
- Keep it friendly and direct.
- Use short lines when helpful.
- Do not add a greeting or sign-off unless one was dictated.Disable Use System Template only when you want full control over the AI's behavior, such as Assistant-style answering, complex rewriting, or a prompt that should not behave like dictation cleanup.
Referencing Context
Use context only when it helps. The prompt should make it clear whether the AI should transform the dictated speech, selected text, or both.
For rewriting selected text:
# Goal
Rewrite the text in <CURRENTLY_SELECTED_TEXT> using the instruction in <USER_MESSAGE>.
# Rules
- Preserve the meaning and important details.
- Follow any tone, length, or format requested in <USER_MESSAGE>.
- Use <CLIPBOARD_CONTEXT> or <CURRENT_WINDOW_CONTEXT> only to clarify references.For replying to an email thread:
Polish the dictated speech in <USER_MESSAGE> into a reply email.
# Rules
- Use <CURRENTLY_SELECTED_TEXT>, <CLIPBOARD_CONTEXT>, or <CURRENT_WINDOW_CONTEXT> only to understand the thread and recipient.
- Preserve the user's asks, decisions, dates, numbers, and constraints.
- Do not invent a subject line, deadline, promise, or missing detail.Writing a Good Prompt
Keep prompts short and specific. VoiceInk already supplies the general dictation rules when the system template is enabled, so your prompt should focus on what makes this mode different.
Good prompts usually include:
- The output style you want, such as email, chat, notes, summary, or support reply.
- Any tone or audience, such as friendly, concise, professional, casual, or technical.
- How context should be used.
- What not to invent.
- The expected output shape if it is special.