Chat Instructions

The Chat section configures behavior for the AI: Chat on current page command and the Assistant Panel.

All Chat Options

config.set {
  ai = {
    chat = {
      -- Enable AI tools (read/write notes, search, etc.)
      enableTools = true,

      -- Parse [wiki-links](wiki-links.md) and include their content as context
      parseWikiLinks = true,

      -- Search embeddings for relevant context (requires indexEmbeddings)
      searchEmbeddings = false,

      -- Render SilverBullet templates/queries before sending
      bakeMessages = true,

      -- Default agent to use (by name)
      defaultAgent = nil,

      -- User info included in system prompt
      userInformation = "I'm a software developer who likes taking notes.",

      -- Instructions included in system prompt
      userInstructions = "Please give short and concise responses.",

      -- Dynamic context (Lua expression evaluated at chat time)
      customContext = ["Today is " .. os.date("%Y-%m-%d")]("Today is " .. os.date("%Y-%m-%d").md),

      -- Custom enrichment functions to run on messages
      customEnrichFunctions = {},

      -- Skip tool approval prompts (useful for benchmarks/automation)
      skipToolApproval = false
    }
  }
}

Chat Custom Instructions

OpenAI introduced custom instructions for ChatGPT a while back to help improve the responses from ChatGPT. We are emulating that feature by allowing a system prompt to be injected into each new chat session.

The system prompt is rendered similar to the one below, see the example config above for where to configure these settings:

Always added:

This is an interactive chat session with a user in a note-taking tool called SilverBullet.

If enableTools is true (default), this is added:

You have access to tools that can help you assist the user. Use them proactively when they would be helpful - for example, reading notes, searching, or performing actions the user requests.

If userInformation is set, this is added:

The user has provided the following information about their self: ${ai.chat.userInformation}

If userInstructions is set, this is added:

The user has provided the following instructions for the chat, follow them as closely as possible: ${ai.chat.userInstructions}

Custom Context

The customContext option allows you to add dynamic context to each chat message. It accepts a Lua expression that is evaluated at chat time, so you can include things like the current date.

The result is prepended to your message in the Chat Panel, wrapped in <context> tags along with the current page content and selection.

Note: This context is sent with the latest message only, it is not persisted.

Example - Add current date:

config.set {
  ai = {
    chat = {
      customContext = ["Today is " .. os.date("%Y-%m-%d") .. " (" .. os.date("%A") .. ")"]("Today is " .. os.date("%Y-%m-%d") .. " (" .. os.date("%A") .. ")".md)
    }
  }
}

Example - Add multiple pieces of context:

config.set {
  ai = {
    chat = {
      customContext = [table.concat({
        "Date: " .. os.date("%Y-%m-%d"),
        "Time: " .. os.date("%H:%M"),
        "Day: " .. os.date("%A"),
      }, "\n")](table.concat({
        "Date: " .. os.date("%Y-%m-%d"),
        "Time: " .. os.date("%H:%M"),
        "Day: " .. os.date("%A"),
      }, "\n").md)
    }
  }
}

This is useful for time-sensitive queries where you want the LLM to know the current date without having to type it manually.

Example - Include a profile page:

Create a Profile page with your personal information:

---
tags: meta
---
# Profile
Location: San Francisco, CA
Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
Preferred language: English

Then configure customContext to read it:

config.set {
  ai = {
    chat = {
      customContext = [space.readPage("Profile") or ""](space.readPage("Profile") or "".md)
    }
  }
}

Now the assistant will know your location for weather queries, timezone for scheduling, etc.

Example - Combine profile with date:

config.set {
  ai = {
    chat = {
      customContext = [table.concat({
        "Date: " .. os.date("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M"),
        space.readPage("Profile") or ""
      }, "\n\n")](table.concat({
        "Date: " .. os.date("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M"),
        space.readPage("Profile") or ""
      }, "\n\n").md)
    }
  }
}