Custom Instructions are one of the most powerful ways to personalize your notes. Think of it like giving feedback to a colleague -- you're guiding Quill to sound more like you.
What are custom instructions?
Custom instructions are guidelines you write that shape how Quill generates your notes. They affect tone, style, structure, and content -- and they're applied every time you generate a note.
For example:
- Refer to the therapist in first-person.
- Make the language sound more clinical.
- Always include "continued therapy is medically necessary" under the assessment section.
You write the instruction once, and Quill follows it from then on.
How to add custom instructions
Step 1: Go to Note Preferences. You can access them on the note generation page (click "Edit Preferences") or on the My Account page.
Step 2: Find the Custom Instructions section. You'll see a text area with some example instructions to give you ideas.
Step 3: Add your instructions, one per line. Be clear and direct -- think of it like writing instructions for another human.
Step 4: Click "Save Preferences". The next time you generate (or regenerate) a note, Quill will apply your instructions.
Tips for writing good instructions
Be clear and direct. Quill can't ask follow-up questions, so give it enough detail to carry out your instruction.
Be section-specific when needed. If an instruction applies to a specific section, mention it:
- Always include "client denies SI/HI" in the assessment section.
Use if/then logic for conditional instructions. This is powerful for adding clinical context based on what's in your summary:
- If "parts work" is mentioned, include that IFS was used during the session.
- If cognitive restructuring is discussed, note that CBT was utilized.
Experiment and adjust. You can update your instructions anytime and regenerate your note to see how the changes affect the output. No need to re-record your summary.
Example instructions by category
Tone and Style
- Make the language sound more clinical.
- Use full and complete sentences.
- Write in a formal and objective style.
- Keep notes concise and clinically relevant.
Content Emphasis
- Always include "continued therapy is medically necessary" under the assessment section.
- Include references to treatment goals and progress toward them.
- Always mention if the client denied suicidal or homicidal ideation.
Therapist and Client References
- Refer to the therapist in first-person.
- Refer to the client using their first name when provided in the summary.
- Use "they/them" pronouns for the client at all times.
Specific Phrases
- Always start the note with "Session duration was 60 minutes."
- End the plan section with "Next session will continue exploring client's mental health needs."
If/Then Logic
- If "parts work" is mentioned, include that IFS was used during the session.
- If the session was virtual, begin the objective section with "Session was held via telehealth."
- If cognitive reframing is noted, include that CBT interventions were utilized.
What custom instructions can't do
There are some limitations to keep in mind:
- You can't rename a section (like changing "Subjective" to something else).
- You can't add a brand new section to the note format.
- You can't change the format of a section (paragraph vs. bullet points).
If you need that level of customization, check out our Custom Documentation Templates feature -- it lets you build entirely custom note structures.
