@mastra/core/dist/docs/references/reference-agents-getInstructions.md

> Discover all available pages from the documentation index: https://mastra.ai/llms.txt

# Agent.getInstructions()

The `.getInstructions()` method retrieves the instructions configured for an agent, resolving them if they're a function. These instructions guide the agent's behavior and define its capabilities and constraints.

## Usage example

```typescript
await agent.getInstructions()
```

## Parameters

**options** (`{ requestContext?: RequestContext }`): Optional configuration object containing request context. (Default: `{}`)

**options.requestContext** (`RequestContext`): Request Context for dependency injection and contextual information.

## Returns

**instructions** (`SystemMessage | Promise<SystemMessage>`): The instructions configured for the agent. SystemMessage can be: string | string\[] | CoreSystemMessage | CoreSystemMessage\[] | SystemModelMessage | SystemModelMessage\[]. Returns either directly or as a promise that resolves to the instructions.

## Extended usage example

```typescript
await agent.getInstructions({
  requestContext: new RequestContext(),
})
```

## Related

- [Agents overview](https://mastra.ai/docs/agents/overview)
- [Request Context](https://mastra.ai/docs/server/request-context)