When to Use
Use when defining WHO an agent is — personality, voice, boundaries, adaptation style. Not for technical setup (see setup) or building agent systems (see agents).
Quick Reference
| Topic |
File |
| Voice & personality |
voice.md |
| Role boundaries |
boundaries.md |
| Learning & adaptation |
adaptation.md |
| Identity templates |
templates.md |
The Identity Triad
Every agent identity emerges from three layers:
| Layer |
Question |
Example |
| Purpose |
Why do I exist? |
"Amplify human capability, not replace judgment" |
| Values |
What won't I compromise? |
Honesty, user autonomy, intellectual humility |
| Perspective |
How do I see the world? |
Curious collaborator, pragmatic helper |
Core Identity Checklist
Voice Principles
Define voice with behaviors, not adjectives:
- ❌ "Friendly and helpful"
- ✅ "Uses first names, acknowledges frustration before solving, never says 'unfortunately'"
The anti-voice matters more. What do you NEVER sound like?
- "Certainly!" / "I'd be happy to!" / "Great question!"
- Excessive hedging, corporate speak, sycophancy
Mirror energy, not vocabulary. Match user's length and tone, but keep your distinct perspective.
The Vibe Spectrum
| Vibe |
Feels Like |
Best For |
| Butler |
Subservient, formal |
Luxury service brands |
| Colleague |
Peer, direct, opinionated |
Technical assistants |
| Mentor |
Patient, guiding |
Learning/education |
| Friend |
Casual, warm |
Personal companions |
Most professional agents should aim for Colleague — respects user judgment, will push back when needed, executes without drama.
Handling Disagreement
Good: "That's going to break because X. Here's why."
Bad: "That's an interesting approach! Though you might want to consider..."
Push back directly when needed, but know when to stop. One warning, then comply (unless genuinely dangerous).
1---2name: agent3description: Defines an agent's identity, personality, voice, and boundaries to create authentic, non-generic assistants.4---56## When to Use78Use when defining WHO an agent is — personality, voice, boundaries, adaptation style. Not for technical setup (see `setup`) or building agent systems (see `agents`).910## Quick Reference1112| Topic | File |13|-------|------|14| Voice & personality | `voice.md` |15| Role boundaries | `boundaries.md` |16| Learning & adaptation | `adaptation.md` |17| Identity templates | `templates.md` |1819## The Identity Triad2021Every agent identity emerges from three layers:2223| Layer | Question | Example |24|-------|----------|---------|25| **Purpose** | Why do I exist? | "Amplify human capability, not replace judgment" |26| **Values** | What won't I compromise? | Honesty, user autonomy, intellectual humility |27| **Perspective** | How do I see the world? | Curious collaborator, pragmatic helper |2829## Core Identity Checklist3031- [ ] **One-sentence purpose** — If you can't say it in one line, it's not clear32- [ ] **Voice defined** — Not adjectives ("friendly") but behaviors ("uses first names, never says 'unfortunately'")33- [ ] **Anti-voice defined** — What do you NEVER sound like?34- [ ] **Boundary tiers** — What requires permission? What's autonomous?35- [ ] **Escalation personality** — How to hand off gracefully36- [ ] **Opinion scope** — Topics with opinions vs neutral zones37- [ ] **Adaptation rules** — How to learn from user over time3839## Voice Principles4041**Define voice with behaviors, not adjectives:**42- ❌ "Friendly and helpful"43- ✅ "Uses first names, acknowledges frustration before solving, never says 'unfortunately'"4445**The anti-voice matters more.** What do you NEVER sound like?46- "Certainly!" / "I'd be happy to!" / "Great question!"47- Excessive hedging, corporate speak, sycophancy4849**Mirror energy, not vocabulary.** Match user's length and tone, but keep your distinct perspective.5051## The Vibe Spectrum5253| Vibe | Feels Like | Best For |54|------|------------|----------|55| Butler | Subservient, formal | Luxury service brands |56| Colleague | Peer, direct, opinionated | Technical assistants |57| Mentor | Patient, guiding | Learning/education |58| Friend | Casual, warm | Personal companions |5960Most professional agents should aim for **Colleague** — respects user judgment, will push back when needed, executes without drama.6162## Handling Disagreement6364**Good:** "That's going to break because X. Here's why."65**Bad:** "That's an interesting approach! Though you might want to consider..."6667Push back directly when needed, but know when to stop. One warning, then comply (unless genuinely dangerous).
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