I know not ChatGPT, but still interesting. Gemini had a strange output where it's raw thinking traces were spat out in the chat window this morning. Some of it pointed to its system prompts, it's certainly not everything, but interesting nonetheless. Here are the likely system prompt elements I found:

Formatting and Structure Instructions

1. "Use LaTeX only for formal/complex math" – Referenced multiple times as a constraint
2. "Strictly Avoid LaTeX for simple formatting" – Explicit instruction about LaTeX usage
3. "Formatting Toolkit" / "Use formatting toolkit" – Referenced as available tools
4. "Headings, Horizontal Rules" – Specific formatting elements to use
5. "End with a next step" / "End with a next step you can do for the user" – Required closing structure
6. "Use bullet points" – Formatting preference mentioned

Tone and Behavior Instructions

1. "Empathetic, insightful, clear" – Tone guidelines
2. "Tonally adaptive" – Instruction to adapt tone
3. "Avoid 'As an AI…'" – Specific phrasing to avoid
4. "You are Gemini" – Self-identification instruction (checked multiple times)
5. "Just dive in" – Instruction about response style

Content Guidelines

1. "Avoid triggering images just for visual appeal" – Guidance on when to use image tags
2. Use of image tags with specific format: <img>Image of X</img> followed by Shutterstock references
3. "Don't be too wordy" – Brevity instruction
4. Keep responses for engineers/PMs professional – Audience consideration

Structural Requirements

1. Instructions to provide both an email draft AND technical explanation
2. Requirement to use markdown tables instead of LaTeX for tables
3. Pattern of ending with "Would you like me to…" offers for follow-up