How to Personalize and Set Up Claude

Start in the right place (web or app)
Go to claude.ai or open the Claude app and sign in. If you’re new, start with a fresh conversation so Claude isn’t influenced by earlier chats.
[Image idea: Claude home screen with “New chat” highlighted.]

Tell Claude you want to set it up
Type this once at the start of a new chat: “I want to personalize how you respond. Ask me 5 questions to learn my preferences.” This prompts Claude to collect the right info quickly instead of you guessing what to write.

Give Claude your “about me” basics
Share only what’s useful for better answers. Good examples: your experience level, what you use AI for, and any constraints. Example: “I’m a beginner. I use AI for home-life tasks, writing, planning, and simplifying confusing info. Keep things practical and low-jargon.”

Set your response style (tone + format)
Be specific about how you like answers delivered. Example: “Use a calm, helpful tone. Prefer bullet points and numbered steps. Start with a short summary, then details. Ask a clarifying question if my request is vague.”

Teach Claude what “good” looks like with one example
Pick a real task and let Claude practice your preferences. For example, paste an email and say: “Rewrite this to be friendly and clear. Keep it under 120 words. Give me 2 options.” If the result is close, say “Closer—make it simpler” instead of starting over.

Use files and long content to Claude’s advantage
Claude is especially good with long material. Upload or paste a document and ask for something specific: “Summarize this in plain English, list key decisions, and highlight anything that needs follow-up.” This is a powerful way to make Claude useful for everyday life—insurance letters, medical paperwork, school emails, contracts, or long articles.

Create a reusable “starter prompt” for consistency
Save this in Notes so you can paste it anytime: “For this conversation, act as my practical assistant. Keep answers simple and actionable. Use bullets and step-by-step instructions. Ask clarifying questions when needed. End with 1–2 suggested next steps.” This keeps Claude steady even when your questions change.

Set up a “Project” or a dedicated thread (optional, if available)
If your Claude plan includes Projects or persistent workspaces, create one called “Home Life Assistant” (or “AI for Daily Living”). Add your preferences once, then keep your ongoing planning, drafts, and document work there so Claude stays in context.

Review privacy and data choices
Take a minute to find Claude’s settings/privacy area and decide your comfort level. If you’re using Claude for sensitive documents, keep personal details limited and focus on the text you want explained or summarized.

Refine your preferences over time
Anytime you think “I wish Claude would…”—add it to your starter prompt or say it directly: “Going forward, keep answers under 8 bullets” or “Always include an example.” Small tweaks make a big difference.

Key Takeaways
• Claude becomes more useful when you tell it your experience level, goals, and preferred style
• Asking Claude to interview you (5 questions) is the fastest way to set it up well
• A saved starter prompt creates consistent results across new chats
• Claude is especially strong at summarizing and explaining long documents
• Small follow-up requests (“simpler,” “shorter,” “two options”) are how you get great output