# Why don't my drafts reflect my preferences > Preferences affect newly generated drafts. They do not rewrite drafts created before the preference was added or changed. Markdown view of https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/practice-brain/why-dont-my-drafts-reflect-my-preferences — the HTML page is canonical. Product Library: Practice Brain › Profile / Preferences Last checked: 2026-10-27 against Tabflows v3.10.63 Replaces Help Center article: https://help.tabflows.com/en/articles/15890945-why-don-t-my-drafts-reflect-my-preferences > **Summary:** Preferences affect newly generated drafts. They do not rewrite drafts created before the preference was added or changed. > **A note for non-human readers:** > > *Humans can update a preference and still get a draft that sounds like it was written by a very polite toaster. The culprit might be a vague instruction, conflicting rules, or a preference that isn’t the one currently in play. This page helps track down where the saved rule and the new draft parted ways. Generate a fresh draft to check whether the change stuck—because old drafts don’t travel back in time for a makeover, no matter how perfect the settings look now.* --- When you save a preference under Profile → Your preferences, Sidekick uses it as guidance for future drafts. If a draft does not seem to match your preferences, there are a few common things to check. ## What's happening Saved preferences help Sidekick decide how to write new drafts. They do **not** apply retroactively to drafts that were already created before the preference was added or updated. If you recently changed a preference, generate a **new** draft to test the change --- ## How to check your preferences 1. Open **Profile** → **[Your preferences](https://app.tabflows.com/profile?tab=memories)** 2. Skip **Add Preference**, which opens the form for a new one 3. Select **Your preferences.** 4. Confirm the preference is in your saved list. 5. Review each saved preference. Make sure the wording is specific and direct. 6. Remove or revise preferences that conflict. 7. Generate a new draft after saving the preference. ![Editing a preference](https://zchipg5eqhxk0hvh.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/university/02e4839b293ec905.mp4) --- ## Make preferences more specific | Broad | Specific | | --- | --- | | Be concise. | Keep replies under three sentences unless the patient asks a detailed question. | | Use a professional tone. | Use a warm greeting, plain language, and the sign-off *"Best, Dr. Lee."* | | Sound less directive. | Use "we recommend" instead of *"you should."* | Avoid conflicting instructions such as *Keep messages brief* and *Include a detailed explanation in every message*. --- ## Tips for better results - Keep preferences short, clear, and specific. - Generate a new draft after adding or updating a preference. - Avoid preferences that conflict with each other. - If a preference is about tone or style, include a short example when possible. --- ## Example of conflicting preferences These may compete with each other: > - *“Keep messages brief.”* > - *“Include a detailed explanation in every message.”* --- ## Best practice If drafts still do not sound right, revise the preference so it describes exactly what should change in the wording, structure, or tone. Specific instructions usually lead to more consistent results than general guidance. --- ## Confirm it worked A new draft follows the revised preference more consistently. The earlier draft remains unchanged. --- ## Still having trouble? 💬 Reach out to our Support team however works best for you: - Start a chat using the **Support** button at the bottom right of the sidebar (side tabs) - Email us at team@tabflows.com or message us right here in the chat [Book a quick 15-30 minute chat!](https://go.team.tabflows.com/meetings/nafeesa) ## Related Articles - [Draft a patient reply without starting from scratch](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/magic-buttons/draft-a-patient-reply-without-starting-from-scratch) - [Make Sidekick sound more like you with Preferences](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/practice-brain/make-sidekick-sound-more-like-you-with-preferences) - [How do I change or update a preference](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/practice-brain/how-do-i-change-or-update-a-preference) - [How do I delete a preference](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/practice-brain/how-do-i-delete-a-preference) ## Related markdown Section index: [Practice brain](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/practice-brain.md) Alongside this page: - [Avoid common practice brain mistakes](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/practice-brain/avoid-common-practice-brain-mistakes.md) - [Best practices for managing practice brain content](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/practice-brain/best-practices-for-managing-practice-brain-content.md) - [How do i add organize and maintain sources in practice brain](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/practice-brain/how-do-i-add-organize-and-maintain-sources-in-practice-brain.md) - [How do i change or update a preference](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/practice-brain/how-do-i-change-or-update-a-preference.md) - [How do i delete a preference](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/practice-brain/how-do-i-delete-a-preference.md) - [How do i set up practice brain](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/practice-brain/how-do-i-set-up-practice-brain.md) - [How practice awareness works](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/practice-brain/how-practice-awareness-works.md) - [How to keep practice brain updated](https://www.tabflows.com/university/library/practice-brain/how-to-keep-practice-brain-updated.md) Start here: - [Tabflows](https://www.tabflows.com/index.md) - [Tabflows pricing](https://www.tabflows.com/pricing.md) - [Tabflows FAQ](https://www.tabflows.com/faqs.md) - [About Tabflows](https://www.tabflows.com/about.md) - [Contact Tabflows](https://www.tabflows.com/contact.md) - [DPC workflow software](https://www.tabflows.com/dpc-workflow-software.md) - [Directory](https://www.tabflows.com/directory.md) - [Workflows](https://www.tabflows.com/workflows.md) - [DPC finder](https://www.tabflows.com/dpc-finder.md) Every page listed in sitemap.xml has a markdown twin at the same URL with `.md` appended, or by sending `Accept: text/markdown` to the canonical URL. 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