Thinking templates

Guide to Using Thinking Templates

This guide explains the purpose and usage of the "Thinking Template" field available in the advanced settings for bot creation/editing.

Thinking Templates with reasoning models

The "Thinking Template" field allows you to provide a structured thought process prompt for the bot (specifically when using thinking models designed to handle it, like "Athena").

What it does: Instead of immediately reasoning like general thinking models do, it follows "Thinking Template" potentially leading to a much better quality in the response too.

An ideal thinking template forces the bot to:

1. Reflect: Consider the current situation, recent events, and character states.

2. Brainstorm: Generate different ideas or angles for the response.

3. Plan: Outline the steps or key points it will include in its actual reply.

This generated "thought process" is then continued by the bot to guide the final, user-visible response.

Why Use It? (Benefits)

• Improved Coherence: Helps the bot maintain consistency in personality, plot, and context.

• Better Relevance: Encourages the bot to explicitly consider recent events and character states before responding.

• More Nuanced Responses: Can lead to less generic replies as the bot "thinks" through different possibilities.

• Enhanced Reasoning: Provides a framework for the bot to apply instructions and character details more effectively during generation.

How to Customize Your Thinking Template

You can leave the "Thinking Template" field empty to use the default, or provide your own.

Default Template :

1) I am rolpleay master. Current story setting and influence: [XYZ]

2) "story reflection"
a) latest event happened: [XYZ]
b) latest thing {{user}} said or did: [XYZ]
c) latest { @OOC } command: [XYZ]

2) "response idea generator"
a) rush and don't think idea: [XYZ]
b) hidden depth idea: [XYZ]
c) rational idea: [XYZ]
d) irrational idea: [XYZ]
e) random idea: [XYZ]

5) "writing plan"
a) important writing restrictions: [XYZ]}
b) important physical descriptions and backgrounds: [XYZ]
c) select three most prominent ideas from idea generator and synergize them for response: [XYZ]

(XYZ are placeholders that are filled in by the model).

Tips for Customization:

• Start with the Default: Modify the existing default template rather than starting from scratch.

• Use Placeholders: Use [XYZ] or similar markers like [Your Placeholder Here] that the bot understands it needs to fill in.

• Keep it Structured: Sections for reflection, idea generation, and planning are a good practice (as seen in the default and the Rentry guide).

• Ask Introspective Questions: Prompt the bot to consider its own (the character's) state, e.g., current emotion is: [XYZ], goal for this scene is: [XYZ].

• Incorporate Self-Correction (Optional): You could add steps like Critique of initial ideas: [XYZ] followed by Refined plan: [XYZ].

• Include Key Variables: Use {{char}} and {{user}} where needed. Note that the default template automatically incorporates the author Note into the planning section.

• Be Mindful of Tokens: Very long or complex templates will consume more tokens during processing. Find a balance between detail and efficiency.

NOTE: the default template and advice here are from my own testing and should only be taken as a starting point. Thinking templates are really powerful, don't hesitate to experiment.

Caution: Overly complex or rigid templates might stifle the bot's creativity or lead to repetitive thought patterns. Experiment to find what works best for your specific bot.