# Write standing instructions the assistant always follows

An instruction file at the root of your vault is injected into every conversation. It can be called CORTEX.md, CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md, and exactly one of them is ever in force.

*https://perpetualtechnologies.co.uk/support/standing-instructions — last checked 2026-09-06*

## Steps

1. Create a file called CORTEX.md at the top level of your vault folder.
2. Write your standing instructions in it as plain Markdown: how you want to be addressed, what the assistant should never do, conventions it should follow.
3. Open Settings, then AI & extensions, then Cortex standing instructions, to see exactly what is in force.

## How to tell it worked

The Standing instructions screen shows your text, and names which of the three filenames it read.

## If it does not work

**You wrote CORTEX.md but the assistant ignores it.**

It has to be at the ROOT of the vault. A CORTEX.md inside a subfolder is an ordinary note.

**You have both a CORTEX.md and a CLAUDE.md.**

Only the first of CORTEX.md, CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md that exists and is not blank is used. Never both. A blank CORTEX.md is skipped, so a written CLAUDE.md beside it is what takes effect.

## Still stuck

Bug reports belong in the app, in Settings, About. Those carry no contact details, so they
get fixed rather than answered. To get a reply, email us instead: that route targets two
business days. https://perpetualtechnologies.co.uk/contact