Custom Instructions not processed properly

[exotic radish]

Reported by @hardy geyser

Bug Report: Custom Instructions not processed properly

`Steps to Reproduce`

Adding information to custom instructions and asking the AI about anything of it.

`Expected Result`

The AI should draw the information and respond with it correctly.

`Actual Result`

The AI said the information wasn't provided.

`Environment`

Firefox, Windows 11

Dec 18, 2024, 2:59 PM

Additional Information

Please provide relevant details to help resolve the issue, such as:

• ChatGPT Shared Link (if applicable).
• Screenshots or videos demonstrating the problem.

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[hardy geyser]

Used 4o, custom instructions are properly activated.

A friend reports the same behavior, it has a hard time drawing from custom instructions. I also happen to have problems with it creating memories. It needs several attempts until it stores one.

Here the information was only in the custom instructions but not in the memory:

here i removed the information from custom instructions and commited it to memory instead:

the 2nd image is according to my instructions. there's something broken guys

[strong sonnet]

Projects appearing to consistently read and use project instructions. Providing inconsistent responses.

[velvet escarp]

There have been similar notes about custom instructions not working with Custom GPTs - I understand that to a degree.

I am wondering if Projects have the same design, where the project instructions override user custom instructions rather than augmenting.

Recently, Developer Instructions were announced. I think this might be useful in these scenarios.

We need cascading / hierarchical instructions:

• System
• User
• Project

or

• System
• User
• GPT

I'm seeing that a project with instructions to use user custom instructions doesn't actually use them unless reminded in a session.