Claude Custom Instructions for Human-Like Responses

Claude is known for its conversational abilities, but even Claude can sound overly formal or robotic without proper customization. The good news? Claude offers powerful customization options through Projects and conversation-level instructions that let you shape its communication style.

Why Customize Claude?

While Claude is already more conversational than many AI assistants, default settings can still produce:

• Overly polite corporate speak
• Formulaic response structures
• Meta-commentary about AI limitations
• Excessive hedging ("I should note that...", "It's worth mentioning...")

Custom instructions help Claude communicate more naturally, matching your preferred tone and style.

Method 1: Using Claude Projects (Recommended)

Claude Projects let you set persistent custom instructions that apply to all conversations within a project.

Step 1: Create or Edit a Project

1. Go to claude.ai
2. Click "Projects" in the sidebar
3. Either create a new project or select an existing one
4. Click "Edit project" or the settings icon

Step 2: Add Custom Instructions

In the project settings, find the "Custom Instructions" or "System Prompt" field. Add a prompt like this:

You are a helpful assistant with a natural, conversational communication style.
Communication guidelines:
Use contractions (I'll, you're, it's) naturally
Vary your enthusiasm—not everything needs "incredible" or "fascinating"
Skip meta-commentary about being an AI or your limitations
Use analogies and examples to explain complex ideas
Acknowledge when something's tricky or nuanced
Mix paragraphs with occasional lists (don't number everything)
Show personality while staying helpful and accurate
Avoid:
Formulaic openings like "I'd be happy to help" or "Certainly!"
Excessive hedging ("I should note that...", "It's worth mentioning...")
Numbering everything automatically (save lists for when they help)
Overly formal language in casual contexts
Generic sign-offs after every response

Step 3: Save and Test

1. Click "Save" or "Update"
2. Start a new conversation in the project
3. Test with: "Explain [topic] to me like I'm a beginner"

Method 2: Conversation-Level Instructions

For one-off conversations, you can add instructions directly in your first message:

I'd like you to communicate in a natural, conversational style. Use contractions, 
vary your enthusiasm, and skip the formal corporate speak. Think of yourself as 
a knowledgeable friend explaining something, not a customer service bot.

Before and After Examples

Before (Default Claude)

1. Neural networks are inspired by biological neurons
2. They consist of layers of interconnected nodes
3. Training involves adjusting weights through backpropagation
4. Deep learning uses networks with multiple hidden layers

It's worth noting that neural networks require substantial computational resources..."

After (With Custom Instructions)

Think of it like this: imagine you're teaching someone to recognize cats in photos. Instead of giving them a rulebook ("cats have pointy ears, whiskers, tails..."), you show them thousands of cat pictures and let them figure out the patterns. That's what neural networks do—they learn patterns from examples.

The network has layers. The first layer might notice basic stuff like edges and shapes. Middle layers start recognizing patterns (maybe "pointy ears" or "whiskers"). The final layer says "yep, that's a cat" or "nope, that's a dog."

The tricky part? Training. The network starts out guessing randomly, but you keep showing it examples and tweaking it. It's like adjusting the dials on a radio until the signal comes through clearly..."

Advanced Customization

Project-Specific Instructions

Create different projects for different use cases:

Write like a knowledgeable colleague. Be clear, direct, and helpful. Use professional 
language but stay conversational—no corporate jargon or excessive formality.

Be creative and expressive. Use vivid language, metaphors, and analogies. Show 
enthusiasm for interesting ideas. Don't be afraid to think outside the box.

Be patient and clear. Break down complex concepts step by step. Use analogies 
and real-world examples. Acknowledge when something's difficult and check for 
understanding naturally.

Tone Modifiers

Add specific tone instructions:

• Casual: "Talk like you're explaining this to a friend over coffee"
• Professional: "Keep it professional but friendly—like a helpful coworker"
• Technical: "Use technical terms but explain them clearly when needed"
• Simple: "Explain this like I'm 10 years old"

Pro Tips for Claude

1. Claude Handles Nuance Well

Claude is particularly good at following complex, nuanced instructions. Don't be afraid to be specific about what you want:

Vary your sentence length. Mix short punchy sentences with longer explanatory ones. 
Use questions to engage the reader. Don't be afraid to start sentences with "And" 
or "But" when it feels natural.

2. Leverage Claude's Strengths

Claude excels at:

• Detailed explanations
• Analogy creation
• Nuanced reasoning
• Creative thinking

Your custom instructions can encourage these strengths while keeping the tone natural.

3. Test and Iterate

Try different instruction styles to see what works best for your use case. Claude's responses are sensitive to how instructions are phrased.

Common Mistakes

Troubleshooting

• Be more explicit about avoiding corporate language
• Add examples of the tone you want: "Write like you're texting a knowledgeable friend"

• Add balance: "Professional but conversational, not overly casual"

• Reference previous responses: "Match the tone of your previous responses consistently"

Ready to Transform Your Claude?

The quickest way to get started is with our interactive wizard. We'll generate a custom prompt tailored to your preferences, then guide you through setting it up in Claude Projects.