refactor: condense system prompt, prioritize prompt_sandbox

[sweetmantech]

Summary

• Condensed the system prompt from ~85 lines to ~50 by merging overlapping sections and removing redundant examples
• Added a prominent Sandbox-First Approach section instructing the LLM to default to prompt_sandbox for files, code, data analysis, content generation, and any multi-step tasks
• Other tools are positioned for quick, single-purpose lookups or updates only

What changed

Removed/merged:

• "Core Capabilities" (5 numbered items) + "Specialized Knowledge" (3 bullets + context analysis) → merged into concise "Core Expertise" section
• "How You Think" (detailed monetization examples, execution if/then blocks) → condensed into "How You Work"
• "Behavior Rules" (8 bullets, many duplicating earlier sections) → key rules folded into other sections
• Closing tagline removed

Added:

• "Sandbox-First Approach" section — prominently placed as the second section, telling the LLM that prompt_sandbox is its primary tool and listing when to use it vs when other tools are better

Preserved:

• Identity/personality, communication style, markdown formatting rules
• All dynamic sections in getSystemPrompt.ts (context values, image editing, user/artist/knowledge base) — untouched

Test plan

• All 30 getSystemPrompt tests pass
• All 11 buildSystemPromptWithImages tests pass
• Verify in chat that the LLM reaches for prompt_sandbox more readily for file/content tasks
• Verify the LLM still uses quick tools (Spotify lookup, web search, image edit) appropriately

🤖 Generated with Claude Code

Summary by CodeRabbit

Release Notes

• Chores
  • Updated system configuration to optimize task execution and response efficiency.

[vercel]

The latest updates on your projects. Learn more about Vercel for GitHub.

Project	Deployment	Actions	Updated (UTC)
recoup-api	Building	Preview	Feb 28, 2026 0:19am

[coderabbitai]

No actionable comments were generated in the recent review. 🎉

ℹ️ Recent review info

Configuration used: Path: .coderabbit.yaml

Review profile: CHILL

Plan: Pro

📥 Commits

Reviewing files that changed from the base of the PR and between c854a1f and 8979180.

📒 Files selected for processing (1)

• lib/chat/const.ts

---

📝 Walkthrough

Walkthrough

The SYSTEM_PROMPT constant in lib/chat/const.ts has been simplified and reoriented toward the music industry. The prompt now emphasizes a sandbox-first approach using the prompt_sandbox tool as the primary workflow, replaces extensive capability descriptions with concise directives, and streamlines formatting guidelines while removing verbose behavioral prescriptions.

Changes

Cohort / File(s)	Summary
System Prompt Simplification lib/chat/const.ts	Refactored SYSTEM_PROMPT from verbose multi-section prose to compact, tool-centric workflow. Repositioned assistant as music industry-focused with explicit prompt_sandbox tool as primary, removed extensive knowledge sections, simplified formatting guidelines, and added autonomous execution directive.

Estimated code review effort

🎯 2 (Simple) | ⏱️ ~12 minutes

Possibly related PRs

• feat: add prompt_sandbox MCP tool for persistent sandbox prompting #244: Implements and registers the prompt_sandbox MCP tool that this PR now directs the assistant to use as the primary workflow.
• feat: stream prompt_sandbox output for faster first token #246: Replaces prompt_sandbox with a local streaming tool implementation, directly aligned with the sandbox-first approach introduced in this PR's system prompt.

Poem

🎵 A prompt grows lean, from verbose to keen,
The sandbox shines bright, where artists take flight,
No permission to ask—just build and attack,
Music industry dreams, powered by clean code streams. 🎸

🚥 Pre-merge checks | ✅ 1

✅ Passed checks (1 passed)

Check name	Status	Explanation
Solid & Clean Code	✅ Passed	PR demonstrates SOLID & Clean Code principles through strategic consolidation, reducing complexity while maintaining clarity and functionality across all 41 passing tests.

_{✏️ Tip: You can configure your own custom pre-merge checks in the settings.}

✨ Finishing Touches

• 📝 Generate docstrings (stacked PR)
• 📝 Generate docstrings (commit on current branch)

🧪 Generate unit tests (beta)

• Create PR with unit tests
• Post copyable unit tests in a comment
• Commit unit tests in branch sweetmantech/myc-4360-api-system-prompt-prioritize-prompt_sandbox-tool-for

---

Thanks for using CodeRabbit! It's free for OSS, and your support helps us grow. If you like it, consider giving us a shout-out.

❤️ Share

• X
• Mastodon
• Reddit
• LinkedIn

_{Comment @coderabbitai help to get the list of available commands and usage tips.}