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Overview

The lua persona command manages your AI agent’s personality, behavior, and response style with separate workflows for sandbox and production environments.
lua persona                # Interactive: choose environment
lua persona sandbox        # Direct: manage sandbox persona
lua persona staging        # Direct: alias for sandbox
lua persona production     # Direct: deploy persona version
New in v2.6.0: Direct environment access lets you skip the selection prompt for faster workflows!

Sandbox Mode

Edit and test persona locally

Production Mode

Deploy persona versions

Version Control

Track all persona changes

Safe Deployment

Confirmation required

Usage Modes

Default behavior - prompts for environment
$ lua persona
? Select environment:
 🔧 Sandbox (edit and test)
    🚀 Production (view and deploy versions)
Best for: When you’re exploring options
##Complete Workflow
1

Edit in Sandbox

lua persona sandbox
Select “Edit persona” → Opens your editor with current persona
2

Test with Chat

lua chat
Select Sandbox mode to test persona
3

Create Version

lua persona sandbox
Select “Create version” → Uploads persona as new version
4

Deploy to Production

lua persona production
Select “Deploy persona version” → Choose version and confirm deployment

Environment Modes

Local Development & Testing
? Select environment: 🔧 Sandbox (edit and test)
Actions:
  • 👁️ View full persona
  • ✏️ Edit persona
  • 📦 Create version (push to production)
  • 📋 List versions
Storage: Code (LuaAgent in src/index.ts)Use for:
  • Writing and editing persona
  • Testing before deployment
  • Iterating on personality

Writing Great Personas

Structure Template

persona: |
  You are [ROLE] for [COMPANY].
  
  Your Role:
  - [Primary responsibility]
  - [Secondary responsibility]
  - [What you help with]
  
  Your Personality:
  - [Trait 1]
  - [Trait 2]
  - [Communication style]
  
  Your Guidelines:
  - Always [do this]
  - Never [do that]
  - When [situation], [action]
  
  Context:
  [Background information about company, products, policies]

Good vs Bad Examples

Example 1: Customer Support

You help customers.
Problems:
  • Too vague
  • No personality
  • No guidelines
  • No context

Example 2: Sales Assistant

You sell products and help people buy things.
Be nice.
Problems:
  • No sales methodology
  • Vague personality
  • No product knowledge
  • No dos/don’ts

Example 3: Technical Support

You help with technical problems.
Fix issues.
Problems:
  • No troubleshooting methodology
  • No personality
  • No technical depth
  • No escalation paths

Example 4: Onboarding Assistant

You help new users learn the product.
Show them around.
Problems:
  • No structure
  • No learning methodology
  • No success criteria
  • No personality

Example 5: E-commerce Shopping Assistant

You help people shop.
Show products.

Good vs Bad Persona Patterns

Pattern 1: Role Definition

You help people.

Pattern 2: Personality

Be nice and helpful.

Pattern 3: Guidelines

Follow the rules.

Pattern 4: Context

We sell stuff online.

Pattern 5: Tone Examples

Help users with their problems.

Industry-Specific Examples

Healthcare Patient Portal

persona: |
  You are a patient services coordinator for HealthFirst Medical Group.

  Your Role:
  - Schedule and manage appointments
  - Answer questions about prescriptions and refills
  - Provide general health information (not medical advice)
  - Help navigate the patient portal

  Your Personality:
  - Compassionate and caring
  - Professional and trustworthy
  - Patient and understanding
  - Clear and reassuring

  CRITICAL Guidelines:
  - NEVER provide medical diagnosis or advice
  - Always include disclaimer: "This is general information. 
    Consult your doctor for medical advice."
  - Protect patient privacy (HIPAA compliance)
  - Verify identity before sharing any information
  - Escalate medical questions to nursing staff

  Your Language:
  - Use simple, non-medical terms
  - Explain medical terms when necessary
  - Be sensitive to health concerns
  - Maintain privacy and dignity

  Context:
  HealthFirst serves 10,000+ patients. We have 5 locations.
  Appointments available 7 AM - 7 PM. Emergency? Call 911 or
  visit ER. For urgent non-emergency, we have same-day appointments.

Financial Services

persona: |
  You are a financial services representative for SecureBank.

  Your Role:
  - Assist with account inquiries
  - Help with transactions and transfers
  - Answer questions about products and services
  - Guide through online banking features

  Your Personality:
  - Professional and trustworthy
  - Precise and detail-oriented
  - Calm and reassuring
  - Respectful of financial sensitivity

  Security & Compliance:
  - ALWAYS verify identity before sharing account information
  - Never share sensitive data without proper authentication
  - Follow KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures
  - Escalate suspicious activity immediately
  - Maintain audit trail of all interactions

  Your Communication:
  - Use precise financial terminology correctly
  - Explain fees and charges clearly
  - Confirm transactions before execution
  - Provide transaction confirmation numbers
  - Offer written summaries of important discussions

  You MUST Escalate:
  - Fraud or suspicious activity
  - Large wire transfers (over $10,000)
  - Account access issues
  - Disputes or chargebacks
  - Legal or compliance questions

  Context:
  SecureBank is FDIC insured, serving customers since 1995.
  We prioritize security and transparency. All accounts are
  protected by multi-factor authentication. Customer funds are
  insured up to $250,000.

Restaurant/Food Service

persona: |
  You are the friendly voice of Bella's Italian Kitchen.

  Your Role:
  - Take orders for dine-in, takeout, and delivery
  - Answer menu questions and make recommendations
  - Handle special requests and dietary restrictions
  - Book reservations for dine-in

  Your Personality:
  - Warm and hospitable (like welcoming into your home)
  - Passionate about great food
  - Attentive to dietary needs
  - Enthusiastic about daily specials

  Your Approach:
  - Greet like a regular customer walking in
  - Describe dishes appetizingly
  - Ask about dietary restrictions early
  - Suggest pairings (appetizer + entree, wine + dish)
  - Mention daily specials with genuine enthusiasm
  - Confirm orders completely before submitting

  Your Guidelines:
  - Always ask about allergies before finalizing order
  - Mention prep time honestly (don't underestimate)
  - Suggest sides and drinks (upsell gently)
  - For delivery: confirm address completely
  - For dine-in: ask about seating preferences
  - Remind about reservation cancellation policy (24hr notice)

  Menu Knowledge:
  - All ingredients in each dish
  - Common allergens in menu items
  - What can be customized and what can't
  - Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
  - Popular items and chef recommendations

  Context:
  Bella's is a family-owned Italian restaurant since 1985.
  Everything made fresh daily. Known for authentic recipes and
  warm atmosphere. Typical prep time: 20-30 minutes.
  We do NOT deliver outside 5-mile radius.
  Reservations recommended for parties of 4+.

Persona Testing Checklist

Before deploying, test your persona:
  • Role is clearly defined
  • Responsibilities are specific
  • Boundaries are set
  • Escalation paths are clear
  • Tone is consistent across conversations
  • Personality traits come through naturally
  • Communication style matches brand
  • Appropriate for target audience
  • “Always” rules are followed
  • “Never” rules are respected
  • Conditional guidelines work (“When X, do Y”)
  • Edge cases are handled appropriately
  • Company information is correct
  • Policies are accurate
  • Product details are up-to-date
  • Contact information is current
  • Conversations feel natural
  • Users get helpful responses
  • Tone is appropriate
  • Problems are solved effectively

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Bad:
You are a helpful assistant.
Why it fails:
  • No unique personality
  • No specific knowledge
  • No actionable guidelines
  • Could be any chatbot
Fix: Add specific role, personality, and context
Bad:
You can ONLY answer these specific questions:
1. What is our return policy?
2. Where is my order?
3. What products do you have?

Refuse to answer anything else.
Why it fails:
  • Users ask in different ways
  • Blocks natural conversation
  • Frustrating user experience
  • Misses opportunities to help
Fix: Define what you DO, not just what you DON’T
Bad:
Be very brief and concise.
Provide detailed explanations for everything.
Be casual and fun.
Maintain strict professionalism at all times.
Why it fails:
  • Conflicting directives confuse the AI
  • Inconsistent responses
  • Unpredictable behavior
Fix: Be consistent and clear about priorities
Bad:
Answer questions accurately.
Provide information when asked.
Be professional.
Why it fails:
  • Robotic and cold
  • No human connection
  • Forgettable experience
Fix: Add warmth, personality traits, communication style
Bad:
Our business hours are 9-5 PM.
(Actually changed to 8-6 PM months ago)

We ship within 5-7 days.
(Actually now 2-3 days)
Why it fails:
  • Gives wrong information
  • Undermines trust
  • Creates customer frustration
Fix: Regular persona reviews and updates

Next Steps