> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.kakiyo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Understanding the Prompts

> Master Kakiyo's two-layer prompt system: Context and First Message prompts with variables for AI behavior and conversation control.

> Prompts define how your AI agent behaves and communicates. Kakiyo uses a two-layer prompt system that gives you complete control over conversation style and strategy.

## Two-Layer Prompt System

### Context Prompt

Defines your AI agent's behavior, personality, and conversation strategy.

**Includes:**

* Agent's role and personality
* Conversation goals and objectives
* Tone and communication style
* Limits and boundaries
* Fallback behaviors and responses

### First Message Prompt

Defines how conversations are opened after connection acceptance.

**Includes:**

* Opening message structure
* Value proposition delivery
* Personalization approach
* Call-to-action strategy

***

## Variable System

Variables allow you to reuse prompts across multiple campaigns and agents with different parameters.

### Required Variables

Must be configured for every campaign:

* **Prospect Description**: All prospect information for personalization
* **Offering Description**: Knowledge about what you're selling

> Important: you don't need to enter a value for those variables, just place them somewhere in one of your 2 prompts and let the AI Agent fill them for you.

### Optional Variables

Pre-defined variables for common use cases:

* **Agent Name**: Name the AI should use in conversations
* **Company**: Your company name for the campaign
* **Prospect Name**: How to address prospects

### Custom Variables

Create your own variables for specific needs:

* **Goal**: Different objectives for different campaigns
* **Industry**: Specific messaging for different sectors
* **Custom messaging**: Any other variable content you need

> **Example usage:** You want to use the same prompt in 2 different campaigns.
>
> Instead of writing "Your objective is to book a meeting" in the prompt, use "Your objective is to {{goal}}" and set Goal = "book a meeting" in Campaign 1 and Goal = "visit my website" in Campaign 2.

***

## AI Model Selection

Kakiyo offers access to all major AI models from leading providers:

**Available Models:**

* **Anthropic Models**: All Claude models (Sonnet and Opus)
* **OpenAI Models**: All GPT models (ChatGPT series)
* **Grok Models**: All X AI models
* **Google Models**: All Gemini models

**Recommendation:** As of February 2026, **Claude Sonnet 4.5 (Anthropic)** offers an excellent balance of conversation quality and credit efficiency for outreach use cases. Start there, then optimize based on Sandbox and live campaign metrics.

<Warning>
  The best-performing model changes over time. Re-test your default model regularly and adjust based on actual outcomes rather than assumptions.
</Warning>

***

## Credit System

Credits are consumed only when the AI agent sends messages during conversations. No credits are used for setup, testing, or other platform activities.

**Credit consumption is per message and depends on:**

* **AI model selected**: Different models have different costs
* **Prompt size**: Length and complexity of your prompts
* **Message length**: Length of the AI-generated response

> **Variable consumption:** Credit usage varies significantly per message depending on these factors. There's no fixed rate as it depends entirely on your specific configuration and conversation context.

***

## Writing Effective Prompts

### Best Practices

* **Define clear goals**: Specify exactly what you want the AI to achieve
* **Set boundaries**: Define what the AI should and shouldn't do
* **Match your tone**: Write in the style you want the AI to use
* **Include fallback instructions**: Tell the AI how to handle unexpected situations
* **Use proper formatting**: Structure prompts clearly with sections

### Testing and Optimization

* **Use the Sandbox**: Test prompt effectiveness before launching campaigns
* **Iterate based on results**: Refine prompts based on conversation performance
* **Monitor conversations**: Review actual AI responses and adjust accordingly

***

### Starting Point

Kakiyo provides a default prompt template to help you launch quickly. Use it as a baseline, then iterate based on your own audience and campaign results.

> **Important**: Reply performance depends on targeting quality, profile quality, and prompt quality. Validate improvements with controlled tests instead of assumptions.

***

Well-crafted prompts are essential for successful AI conversations. Start with the default template and refine based on your specific audience and goals.

***

## Related Guides

* [AI Builder - Quick Setup](/guides/getting-started/ai-builder-quick-setup)