Guiding your Archie prompt with instructions and placeholders

When creating a prompt in the Archie Prompt Builder, there are two useful ways of formatting that help produce consistent, accurate results:

• Instruction Syntax
• Placeholder Syntax (which can also be used with Prompt Inputs)

This guide will cover both syntaxes in detail and how they work in Archie. 

Instruction Syntax < >

Instruction syntax allows you to write conditional rules that control how Archie behaves while drafting and when to include or exclude information in your draft.

It works by placing your instructions in between a < and > ("less than" and "more than" symbol). Anything placed inside < > tells Archie:

• when something should appear;
• when something should be removed; or
• how something should change, depending on the information Archie has at drafting time.

Think of the symbols as “Only do this if it applies.”

You can use Instruction Syntax < > in two places in the Prompt builder:

• Inside the Prompt (instructions for how Archie should think and behave)
• Inside the Sample Output (instructions for the structure of the final document)

Using Instruction Syntax < > inside the Prompt

Use Instruction Syntax < > in the Prompt when you want to guide how Archie should behave while writing.

These rules help Archie decide what to do depending on the information available from:

• Matter details
• Uploaded documents
• Prompt Inputs
• Your instructions

Examples

The following examples are to be used inside the Prompt box of the Prompt Builder:

Document Review

Review the uploaded document. 
<If any clauses contradict each other, create a "Conflicts" section.> 
<If legal elements are missing, highlight them and suggest alternatives.>

Matter Summaries

Summarise the matter.
<Only include deadlines if they appear in the documents or matter history.>
<Add a "Questions for Client" section only if key information is missing.>

Drafting Emails

Draft a professional update to the client.
<If no dates are provided, do not refer to deadlines.>
<If the tone is informal, simplify the language.>

Using Instruction Syntax < > inside the Sample Output

Having Instruction Syntax < > in the Sample Output is useful for showing or hiding parts of the final result to appear only when they apply. These rules control the layout and sections of the final output.

Examples

The following examples are to be used inside the Sample Output box of the Prompt Builder:

In a Letter

[client name]
[client address] 
<Include client email if available: [client email]> 

Dear [recipient name], 

Re: [matter name] 

<Only include the "Urgent actions" section if a deadline exists> 
Urgent actions: - …

In an Affidavit

AFFIDAVIT OF [client name]

<Include exhibits section only if exhibits were uploaded>
Exhibits:
- …

<Include interpreter statement only if an interpreter was used>
Interpreter Statement:
- …

How Archie interprets Instruction Syntax < >

• Matter details
• Uploaded documents
• Prompt Inputs
• Your explicit instructions

• If the condition is met → the section appears
• If not → the section is removed cleanly, with no partial or broken sections.

Placeholder Syntax [ ]

Placeholder Syntax [ ] is a way to tell Archie exactly where names, dates, matter details, extracted facts, or Prompt Input values should be inserted.

Anything inside [ ] (left and right square brackets) becomes a “variable” that Archie fills automatically using:

• Matter details
• Uploaded documents
• Prompt Inputs (fields completed by the user running the template)

Archie chooses the best source automatically.

You can use Placeholder Syntax [ ] in two places in the Prompt Builder, depending on how you are using it:

• Inside the Prompt (to pull real information from the matter)
• Inside the Sample Output (to specify where information should belong)

Using Placeholder Syntax [ ] inside the Prompt

Use Placeholder Syntax [ ] in the Prompt when you want Archie to pull in real information during drafting and use that information to understand what the prompt is about.

Example

The following example is used inside the Prompt box of the Prompt Builder:

Draft a letter to [opposing counsel name] regarding [matter name].
Summarise the key facts in [document name].
Prepare a comparison between the parties in [matter name].

Using Placeholder Syntax [ ] inside the Sample Output

Use placeholders in the Sample Output when you want Archie to follow a specific structure and place information exactly where it belongs.

Example

The following example is used inside the Sample Output box of the Prompt Builder:

Dear [client name],

Re: [matter name]

Key facts:
[summary]

Important dates:
[deadlines]

Adding Placeholders as Prompt Inputs

• is not stored in the Matter.
• changes every time the template is run.
• needs to be explicitly provided by the user running the prompt.

Archie will then:

• insert the value if you used a matching placeholder.
• use the value as context even if no placeholder exists.

Hi [client first name],

Here is your update on [matter name].

<Include deadline section only if provided: [deadline]>

Issue summary: [issue_description]

In the example above, Archie inserts [deadline] and [issue_description]. Other placeholders (like [client first name], [matter name]) come from the Matter.

Any information not provided is handled cleanly following your Instruction Syntax < > conditions.