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About this tool
Configure a copy-editor AI persona: style guide, edit depth, English variant and change-tracking rules in one system prompt.
This builder produces a system prompt that turns an AI into a disciplined copy editor: a named style guide (AP, Chicago or APA), an explicit depth of edit on the proofread–copyedit–line-edit ladder, and change-tracking rules so every alteration is visible. The edit-depth definitions follow the ladder used by the Chicago Manual of Style and the Editorial Freelancers Association. It is for writers, content teams and editors who want AI editing help without silent rewrites.
Open Editor System Prompt Builder on AltFTool — it loads instantly in your browser.
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Encodes the distinguishing rules of AP, Chicago and APA — serial comma, number style, capitalisation — not just a guide's name.
Proofread, copyedit or line edit is defined in the prompt, so the AI cannot escalate a typo pass into a rewrite.
Inline markup and change-log modes make the AI show its deletions, insertions and reasons.
Proofreading fixes surface errors only — typos, spelling and punctuation. Copyediting adds grammar, usage and consistency (hyphenation, capitalisation, number style) without touching structure. Line editing goes deeper, reworking sentences for clarity, rhythm and concision while keeping the author's meaning and voice. Each level includes everything below it, which is why this builder writes the chosen level into the prompt explicitly.
The most-cited difference is the serial (Oxford) comma: AP omits it unless needed for clarity, Chicago requires it. They also diverge on numbers — AP spells out one through nine and uses numerals from 10, while Chicago spells out numbers up to one hundred in running text — and on capitalisation of titles. AP dominates journalism; Chicago dominates book and long-form publishing.
Constrain three things in the system prompt: the depth of edit (proofread or copyedit, defined concretely), a preserve-voice rule banning synonym swaps of equal merit, and a change-tracking format so every alteration is listed with a reason. This builder also offers a rule keeping the piece within about 5% of its original word count, which blocks stealth rewrites.
No. Professional practice is that quoted material is never silently altered — an apparent error in a quote is flagged, sometimes with '[sic]' — and facts, figures and names are queried rather than 'corrected', because the editor cannot know which version is true. This builder ships both protections as one-click hard rules and warns if you leave them off.