# Profile, Rules, and Skills

## User AI Profile

User AI Profiles store general preferences and guidance for connected AI
tools. An account can contain multiple purpose-specific Profiles, with one
Default.

Profiles are suitable for writing style, communication preferences, work
habits, and guidance that applies across many chats. They help an AI reuse
stable preferences without mixing guidance for unrelated activities.

See [User AI Profile](/product/user-ai-profile/).

## Operating Rules

Operating Rules are standing instructions.

They help an AI apply a clear requirement consistently and at the correct
scope. A Project rule can stay with one project instead of affecting every
conversation.

Generic examples:

- use short paragraphs;
- confirm before sending a message;
- follow a review checklist;
- apply a rule only inside one project.

Rules can be Global, Workspace, or Project specific. A Scope Reference identifies
the Workspace or Project where a rule applies.

Operating Rules are created as a Memory type. See
[Memories](/product/memories/#operating-rules).

## AI Skills

AI Skills are reusable instruction packs imported from supported instruction
files or text.

Skills remain separate from Memories. They can be reviewed and improved before
activation. A Skill helps an AI follow a repeatable multi-step method for a
specific task rather than relying on a short general preference.

Published Library Templates can provide Profile, Rule, and Skill candidates.
Add to Memside keeps selection explicit: reviewed Profiles and Rules can become
available after import, while Skills remain drafts until separately reviewed.

See [AI Skills](/product/ai-skills/).

## Choose the right feature

| Feature | Best for |
| --- | --- |
| **User AI Profile** | General preferences used across AI tools. |
| **Operating Rule** | A standing instruction with an optional Workspace or Project scope. |
| **AI Skill** | A reusable instruction pack for a specific kind of work. |

Example selection:

- a preferred concise response style belongs in a Profile;
- a requirement to confirm before an external action belongs in an Operating
  Rule;
- a complete document-review process belongs in an AI Skill.

## Next steps

- [User AI Profile](/product/user-ai-profile/)
- [AI Skills](/product/ai-skills/)
- [Memory Bundles](/product/memory-bundles/)
- [Add a Template to Memside](/library/add-to-memside/)