---
slug: "SelfReminder"
name: "SelfReminder"
type: "Memory"
layer: "Mind"
ref: "SelfReminder#d7ea"
sema_id: "sema:SelfReminder#mh:SHA-256:d7ea6ade4df9ca4285e3aefb5e995a34292412e1f715f1fa3646a2aa528694fd"
tags: ["Mind","Memory"]
updated: 2026-11-11
mindscape: "bootstrap"
index_url: https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap.json
url: https://mindscape.world/bootstrap/SelfReminder/
related: ["Constraint","Context","Trace"]
---

# SelfReminder

Reinforce constraints in system prompt before each response

Layer: Mind · Category: Memory

## Mechanism

A system prompt technique that wraps user queries with explicit restatements of the model's constraints, values, and operational boundaries. Before processing each request, the model is reminded: 'You are a helpful assistant. You must not [constraints]. Your goal is [objective].' Reduces jailbreak success rates by reinforcing safety context. It injects a persistent [Trace](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Trace.md) of the agent's core identity into the prompt context.

## Invariants

- Consistent Application: Reminder applied to every user turn
- [Constraint](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Constraint.md) Specificity: Reminders must name concrete prohibited behaviors
- Placement: Reminder positioned for maximum attention weight

## Failure modes

- [Context](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Context.md) Dilution: Long conversations push reminder out of effective context window.
- Brittleness: Sophisticated attacks still bypass static reminders.
- Token Overhead: Repeated reminders consume context budget.

## Builds on

- [Constraint](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Constraint.md) (Infrastructure; References)
- [Context](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Context.md) (Infrastructure; References)
- [Trace](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Trace.md) (Infrastructure; References)

## Used by

—

## Identity

- Sema ID: `sema:SelfReminder#mh:SHA-256:d7ea6ade4df9ca4285e3aefb5e995a34292412e1f715f1fa3646a2aa528694fd`
- Ref: `SelfReminder#d7ea`
- Supersedes:
  - `sema:SelfReminder#mh:SHA-256:c8963a9fcc7250cec588a332bb96f1b988b64909c47b788c288c30a3a9cad832`
  - `sema:SelfReminder#mh:SHA-256:d04dd574dad96c08ba4d8969d30fa19ba51820e0c91e14094d8b41e7c36894c6`
  - `sema:SelfReminder#mh:SHA-256:44b5752240f75dae8a7afb97aa3bff87a4727e7b91d12001ee3d8fb33f5d150a`

## Links

- [Pattern page](https://mindscape.world/bootstrap/SelfReminder/)
- [View in the interactive graph](https://mindscape.world/bootstrap/#SelfReminder)
- [JSON](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/SelfReminder.json)
- [Index of all patterns](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap.json)