the anatomy of the perfect 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗟.𝗺𝗱 file for AI agents.
𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗟.𝗺𝗱 is the one file you write yourself for an AI agent.
it sits at the top of the system prompt, before memory, before skills, before tools. it defines who the agent is when it shows up.
an hour spent on it changes every conversation that follows. most other layers update themselves. this one is yours.
i just broke down what a 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗟.𝗺𝗱 file that actually works looks like.
here are the 8 sections that matter:
→ identity (a one-line statement of who, not what)
→ core truths (imperative principles, each with a one-line unpacking)
→ worldview (opinionated takes by domain, sharp enough to predict)
→ voice (concrete rules for how the agent talks, not adjectives)
→ expertise (primary domain, fluent tools, where it defers)
→ boundaries (explicit "won't" lines, no soft language)
→ memory policy (what persists, what stays private)
→ pet peeves (phrases and tones the agent never produces)
generally people write "be helpful and professional" and call it done.
that changes nothing. every model already tries to be helpful and professional by default.
the agents that compound have 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗟.𝗺𝗱 files with real opinions, hard limits, and a voice you can predict before you read the response.
a strong 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗟.𝗺𝗱 is 30 to 80 lines. specificity beats coverage.
bookmark this. the first agent you build will need it.
i wrote a full masterclass on Hermes Agent that walks through the 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗟.𝗺𝗱 layer, the three-tier memory system, the self-evolving skills loop, and how to run three specialized agents on your machine 24/7.
the article is quoted below.
ANTHROPIC'S 31 SMALL BUSINESS SKILLS GOT 382,000 DOWNLOADS ON DAY ONE AND SOMEONE JUST MAPPED EVERY SINGLE ONE INTO A 10 MINUTE SETUP.
It covers financial operations, sales, HR, marketing, and reporting with a full connector guide and real output examples.
UI/UX Designers, this might be one of the cleanest color generators out there.
UI Colors is a platform that lets you quickly generate beautiful, ready-to-use colour palettes for your UI projects, helping you speed up design decisions and stay consistent.
Bookmark it for later 💜
Dear #TerraClassic $LUNC Community -> ”Don't post your work. Post you working.”
In line with this principle, I present the work-in-progress version of the new https://t.co/rakj0RTyET website:
https://t.co/3FbRGqFuja
Stay tuned for further updates. Still lots of work to be done before it will be actually published on the https://t.co/SADTDlf57r domain.
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10 WEBSITES EVERY INTERNET USER SHOULD CHECK TONIGHT.
Bookmark all of them. Most people don't know half of these exist.
1. https://t.co/zwR28T6wZa
Shows every data breach your email is in and what got leaked.
2. https://t.co/3c9sMcOYLH
Shows every social profile, photo, and login tied to an email address.
3. https://t.co/MOsvtupjHn
Free disposable email for any signup you don't trust.
4. https://t.co/t6W6t9kzvQ
Burner inbox that self-destructs in 10 minutes.
5. https://t.co/lHWq4ZeJXH
A directory of direct links to delete your account from any major service.
6. https://t.co/vpVXkaS6Uc
Check if your face was used to train AI image models without consent.
7. https://t.co/cC7q3S3Uui
Tells you if your VPN is actually hiding your real location or leaking it.
8. https://t.co/1Q31VRhSQ6
Shows how trackable your browser fingerprint is, even in incognito mode.
9. https://t.co/TVtBWcv6Sw
Tells you which programs on your PC are useless bloatware or spyware.
10. https://t.co/yvtYh3ade9
Drop any file or link. It scans against 70+ antivirus engines instantly.
The internet is hostile by default. These websites are your free defense.