In short. Put the preferred citation style in Kagi Response Instructions and keep the instruction text within 20,000 characters.
Definition: Response Instructions are the per-assistant text field that tells a Kagi custom assistant how to interact. Kagi documents the field as a place for response format and preferred citation style, with a maximum of 20,000 characters.
Key facts
- Kagi describes Custom Assistants as specialized assistant personalities for particular needs, preferences, and use cases, and its custom-assistant documentation includes Response Instructions among their settings.
- The Response Instructions setting defines how the assistant should interact and has a 20,000-character maximum. Kagi’s Assistant documentation states the same maximum for custom Assistant instructions.
- Kagi recommends specifying a preferred response format and says to consider including a preferred citation style.
- A custom assistant is selected from the model-selection dropdown below the prompt bar. General Assistant custom instructions apply to all interactions unless a custom assistant with its own instructions is in use.
What should the instructions contain?
Kagi’s documentation suggests making the instruction specific about tone and style, including relevant expertise, and specifying the preferred response format. It also names response length, areas of focus, format requirements, and language level as possible parts of the instruction. For citation behavior, the documented field is therefore the place to state the desired syntax, placement, and source-list format.
Kagi gives an Academic Researcher example that requests clear citations and a defined response style:
Provide comprehensive, academic-style responses with clear citations. Focus on peer-reviewed sources when available. Present balanced viewpoints on complex topics. Highlight key findings and methodologies.
That example leaves the exact citation syntax open. A more specific instruction can request inline Markdown links, a citation immediately after the supported claim, or a final source list, depending on the format required by the workflow.
How does the character limit affect the setup?
The custom-assistant page labels Response Instructions as 20,000 characters maximum. Kagi’s main Assistant documentation repeats the limit as “Maximum 20,000 characters for custom Assistant instructions.” The limit covers the instruction text, so a long style guide leaves less room for examples and task-specific rules. Keeping the highest-priority citation rules near the beginning makes the field easier to maintain when it is edited.
Kagi also recommends using clear, actionable language, testing an assistant with various prompts, and refining the instructions based on responses. Those steps describe an iterative setup process, while the documentation does not state that the assistant must reproduce a requested citation format exactly in every response.
How are the instructions selected?
Kagi Assistant supports custom assistants with a chosen language model, custom instructions, and optional web search access. The web-access control is separate from the instruction field. Kagi documents that web access can be toggled with the button below the prompt field, while its custom-assistant page says Internet Access toggles access to Kagi Search results.
After configuration, the custom assistant is selected from the model dropdown below the prompt bar. Kagi’s Assistant settings also include a general Custom Instructions field. Those general instructions apply to all interactions unless the selected custom assistant has its own instructions, so a citation format intended for one assistant belongs in that assistant’s Response Instructions.
Related terms
FAQ
What is the Kagi custom assistant character limit?
Kagi documents a maximum of 20,000 characters for Response Instructions and for custom Assistant instructions.
Can a preferred citation style be written into the instructions?
Yes. Kagi explicitly lists preferred citation style among the items to consider and also recommends specifying a preferred response format. You can state the citation syntax and placement that the assistant should follow.
Does Kagi document exact-format enforcement?
No exact-format enforcement is stated in the documentation. The pages explain where to configure the instruction, what kinds of preferences to include, and how to test and refine it.
Sources
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