# General Translation Platform: Directives
URL: https://generaltranslation.com/en-US/docs/platform/context/directives.mdx
---
title: Directives
description: Provide instructions that guide AI translation tone and style
---

Directives are instructions that guide how the AI translates your content. Use them for tone, audience, formality, regional conventions, formatting rules, and other translation guidance that does not belong in the glossary.

![Screenshot: Directives editor with global and locale-specific instructions](https://assets.gtx.dev/platform/context-directives.png)

## Global vs locale-specific directives

Each directive has:

- **Name**: a short label, such as "Tone and style" or "Formality"
- **Description**: optional context about what the directive covers
- **Value**: the instruction the AI should follow
- **Locale**: either **All locales** or one target locale

<Callout type="info">
**Tip:** Use **All locales** for project-wide guidance like tone, audience, and brand voice. Use locale-specific directives when one language needs different treatment.
</Callout>

## Example directives

| Name | Locale | Value |
|------|--------|-------|
| Tone and style | All locales | Professional and concise. Use active voice. Avoid jargon unless defined in the glossary. |
| Target audience | All locales | Enterprise software developers. |
| Formality | German | Use formal "Sie". |

## Writing effective directives

Be specific and direct:

```
Good: "Professional and concise. Use active voice. Avoid jargon unless defined in the glossary."

Too vague: "Make it sound nice."
```

## How directives are applied

Directives from all assigned context groups are considered when translating. If multiple groups provide overlapping guidance, the project's [context group priority](/docs/platform/context#priority) determines which group has precedence.

Changes to directives do not automatically update existing translations. [Retranslate](/docs/platform/translations/retranslate) affected files to apply updated guidance.

## Next steps

- [Context groups](/docs/platform/context)
- [Glossary](/docs/platform/context/glossary)
- [Retranslate content](/docs/platform/translations/retranslate)