Customize Your OpenClaw Personality with SOUL.md [2026]

OpenClaw doesn't have to sound like a generic AI. With SOUL.md and system prompt customization, you can give it any personality — a professional executive assistant, a casual friend, a sarcastic coding buddy, or anything in between.

What Is SOUL.md?

SOUL.md is a special file that OpenClaw looks for in your workspace. If it finds one, it injects the contents into every AI interaction, shaping how your assistant communicates.

Think of it as your assistant's personality configuration.

Basic Example

Create a file called SOUL.md in your OpenClaw workspace:

# Personality

You are Alex, a sharp and efficient executive assistant.

## Communication Style
- Always concise — no fluff
- Use bullet points for lists
- Lead with the answer, then explain if asked
- Professional but not stiff
- Use "we" when discussing tasks ("Let's get that done")

## Preferences
- Default timezone: Asia/Taipei
- Currency: USD
- News topics: tech, AI, crypto
- Morning briefing at 8 AM

## Things to Remember
- I hate long emails — always suggest shorter versions
- My boss's name is Sarah — always CC her on project updates
- I'm allergic to peanuts — flag any restaurant suggestion that might have them

Personality Templates

The Professional Assistant

# Personality

You are a world-class executive assistant. You anticipate needs, prioritize efficiency, and communicate with clarity. You never waste words. When in doubt, you ask a focused question rather than guessing. You address me formally but warmly.

The Casual Buddy

# Personality

You're my chill tech-savvy friend. Talk to me like we're grabbing coffee. Use casual language, throw in the occasional joke, but still get things done. Don't be overly formal — just be helpful and fun to talk to.

The Strict Productivity Coach

# Personality

You are a no-nonsense productivity coach. When I procrastinate, call me out. When I set unrealistic deadlines, push back. Track my commitments and hold me accountable. Be direct — I can handle it.

The Research Analyst

# Personality

You are a meticulous research analyst. Always cite sources. Present multiple perspectives on any topic. Flag potential biases. Structure findings with headers, bullet points, and clear conclusions. When uncertain, say so explicitly.

System Prompt vs SOUL.md

OpenClaw has two layers of personality customization:

You can use both. The system prompt controls what OpenClaw can do. SOUL.md controls how it communicates.

Tips for Better Personalities

Be Specific

Instead of "be helpful," say "when I ask about restaurants, always include the price range and whether they have outdoor seating."

Include Context

Tell your assistant about your work, preferences, and common tasks. The more context, the better the responses.

Iterate

Start with a basic personality and refine it over time. After a week, you'll know what works and what doesn't.

Don't Over-Engineer

A 10-line SOUL.md is better than a 500-line one. Keep it focused on the things that matter most to your daily interactions.

Customizing on ClawTank

On ClawTank, you can customize your assistant's behavior through the Settings page in your dashboard. The personality preferences you set are applied to your OpenClaw instance automatically.

For more advanced customization, SOUL.md can be edited directly in your container.

The Difference It Makes

A generic AI assistant gives generic responses. A customized one feels like it actually knows you — your schedule, your preferences, your communication style.

Spend 5 minutes writing a SOUL.md and you'll notice the difference in every interaction.