The page is organized into four sections: Chat, Daily Zen (Pro only), Voice, and Privacy & Data. Changes apply after you click Save Preferences.
Chat
Control how chat responds and behaves.
Custom Instructions
Custom instructions let you personalize how chat responds. They are included with every conversation you have with the AI.
What Custom Instructions Do
- Tell chat your priorities (cashback vs points, specific airlines, and so on)
- Share context about your spending habits
- Set preferences for how recommendations are presented
Examples of Effective Instructions
| Goal | Example Instruction |
|---|---|
| Prioritize cashback | "I prefer cashback over points because I value simplicity" |
| Focus on travel | "I fly United frequently and value United miles highly" |
| Avoid specific cards | "Don't recommend my Amex for small purchases under $50" |
| Spending context | "I shop at Costco weekly and travel internationally twice a year" |
| Format the answer | "keep answers under 3 sentences", "always show my top expiring credits" |
How to Set Custom Instructions
- Go to Preferences
- Find the Chat section
- Enter your instructions in the Custom Instructions text field (up to 1000 characters)
- Click Save Preferences
Tip: Be specific about your goals. Instead of "I like travel," try "I'm saving for a trip to Japan and prefer transferable points."
Daily Zen
Pro only. This section appears in Preferences only for Cardzen Pro subscribers.
Personalize your morning digest separately from chat. Your Daily Zen preferences shape only the digest that appears at the start of a new chat. They do not affect your chat conversations.
Daily Zen Instructions
Use this field to influence the tone, focus, or emphasis of your daily digest.
| Goal | Example Instruction |
|---|---|
| Prioritize expirations | "focus on expiring credits first" |
| Set the tone | "keep it upbeat" |
| Lead with impact | "lead with the biggest ROI wins" |
| Travel focus | "emphasize travel credits and lounge access" |
How to Set Daily Zen Instructions
- Go to Preferences
- Find the Daily Zen section
- Enter your guidance in the Daily Zen Instructions text field (up to 500 characters)
- Click Save Preferences
Two separate instruction fields. Chat Custom Instructions (1000 characters) shape conversations. Daily Zen Instructions (500 characters) shape only the morning digest. Updating one does not change the other.
For more about the digest itself, see Daily Zen.
Voice
Control how voice input and voice responses work.
Voice input and response are only available in the iOS app. Your voice preferences save to your account and take effect on iOS, so you can adjust them from any device. Download the app from the App Store.
Voice Summaries (Free and Pro)
Whether the AI speaks a short summary after a voice message. Typed messages are never read aloud.
- Read summaries aloud (default)
- Do not read summaries aloud (voice input still works, text-only responses)
Voice Type (Pro)
- Natural Voice: a richer, AI-generated voice
- Standard Voice: your device's built-in text-to-speech engine
Free users always hear Standard Voice.
Voice (Pro, Natural Voice only)
When Natural Voice is selected, choose a specific voice for spoken responses.
| Voice | Style |
|---|---|
| Aria | Warm and conversational |
| Nova | Friendly and upbeat |
| Atlas | Deep and authoritative |
| Sage | Smooth and calm |
On the iOS app, a Preview button next to the Voice selector plays a short sample of the selected voice so you can hear it before saving.
Tap Save Preferences after any voice change.
Privacy & Data
Manage how your data is stored and used.
Chat History
Control whether your conversations with the AI are saved.
| Setting | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Keep chat history | Conversations are saved and accessible in Previous Chats |
| Do not track chat history | New conversations are not saved after you leave the page |
Note: This setting only affects new conversations. Existing chat history remains until you delete it from Account in the Danger Zone card.
How Preferences Affect Recommendations
Your preferences directly influence how the AI responds.
Custom Instructions
- The AI reads your custom instructions before answering
- Recommendations are tailored to your stated priorities
- Context you provide helps the AI understand your situation
Example Impact
Without custom instructions: "Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred for 3x points on dining."
With "I value cashback over points": "Use your Citi Double Cash for 2% back. While your Sapphire earns 3x points, cashback aligns with your preference for simplicity."
Keep it updated: As your goals change (new trip planned, different spending patterns), update your custom instructions to get the most relevant recommendations. The same is true for your Daily Zen Instructions if you are on Pro.