TIL: You can use system prompts to drastically reduce off-topic rambling.

I've been using Le Chat extensively for client research and internal knowledge base Q&A. A common frustration, especially with longer conversations, was the model's tendency to add unnecessary caveats, restate the question, or wander into tangential points. This "rambling" made extracting clean, actionable answers more work than it should be.

While the standard interface offers a "Concise" button, I found its effect inconsistent. The real game-changer for my workflow has been using a custom system prompt. By explicitly defining the desired response behavior at the start of a chat, I get consistently better outputs.

Here's the prompt I now use as a default for most professional queries:

```
You are a direct and efficient assistant. Your responses should be:
- Action-oriented and based strictly on the provided context or your knowledge.
- Structured using bullet points for multi-part answers when applicable.
- Free of introductory phrases like "Based on my knowledge..." or "I understand you're asking...".
- Devoid of speculative caveats unless there is genuine, significant uncertainty about core facts.
Begin by directly answering the core query.
```

The results are markedly improved:
* Responses start with the answer, not a rephrasing of my question.
* Lists and comparisons are formatted cleanly without extra verbiage.
* It significantly cuts down on the "As an AI, I should note..." style disclaimers when they aren't materially important.

This approach turns Le Chat from a conversational partner into a more precise tool. It's particularly useful for:
* Generating first drafts of process documentation.
* Summarizing competitor features from provided text.
* Creating structured pros/cons lists for tool evaluation.

Of course, this isn't always the right approach. For brainstorming or exploring a concept, the default, more verbose style can be beneficial. But for 80% of my fact-finding and analysis tasks, this system prompt has increased my productivity.

Has anyone else experimented with custom prompts for Le Chat? I'm curious if others have found different formulations that work well for specific use cases like code explanation or sales email drafting.