> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hallwayai.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Interview Settings

> Configure your interview guide, time limits, and AI interviewer behavior

Hallway lets you customize how your AI interviewer conducts conversations. These settings are configured in your project's **Guide** tab.

## Interview Guide Overview

Your interview guide controls everything about how the AI conducts interviews:

| Setting                  | Description                                                |
| ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Opening Script**       | How the AI greets respondents and introduces the interview |
| **System Instructions**  | The AI's personality, approach, and conversation rules     |
| **Probing Instructions** | How the AI asks follow-up questions to dig deeper          |
| **Closing Script**       | How the AI wraps up and thanks respondents                 |
| **Time Limit**           | Maximum interview duration in minutes                      |

## Generating Your Guide

When you create a project with learning objectives, Hallway can automatically generate an interview guide:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add Learning Objectives">
    In your project settings, add 1-5 specific questions or topics you want to explore. The more specific, the better.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Generate Interview Guide">
    Go to the **Guide** tab and click **Generate Interview Guide**. The AI will create a complete guide based on your objectives.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the Guide">
    Preview each section of the generated guide. The AI creates contextually relevant scripts and instructions.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Well-defined learning objectives lead to better interview guides. Instead of "understand user needs," try "identify the top 3 pain points users experience when onboarding."
</Tip>

## Editing Your Guide

After generating, you can customize any part of the guide:

1. Click **Edit Guide** on the Guide tab
2. Modify any section (opening script, instructions, etc.)
3. Click **Save Changes** to apply your edits

### Opening Script

The opening script is the first thing respondents hear. A good opening:

* Welcomes the respondent by name (if provided)
* Explains what the conversation is about
* Sets expectations for duration
* Makes the respondent feel comfortable

**Example:**

```
Hi there! Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me today.
I'm going to ask you some questions about your experience with [topic].
There are no right or wrong answers—I'm just interested in hearing your
honest thoughts. This should take about 10 minutes. Ready to get started?
```

### System Instructions

System instructions define the AI's personality and behavior. Consider:

* **Tone** - Friendly and conversational? Professional and formal?
* **Depth** - Should the AI dig deep or stay surface-level?
* **Focus** - Which topics are most important to explore?

### Probing Instructions

Probing instructions tell the AI how to ask follow-up questions:

* When to ask "Can you tell me more about that?"
* How to handle short or vague answers
* Which topics deserve deeper exploration

### Closing Script

The closing script wraps up the interview gracefully:

* Thank the respondent for their time
* Summarize that their input is valuable
* Let them know they can close the tab

## Time Limit Settings

Set how long interviews can last:

| Duration    | Best For                          |
| ----------- | --------------------------------- |
| 5 minutes   | Quick feedback, simple questions  |
| 10 minutes  | Standard interviews (recommended) |
| 15 minutes  | In-depth exploration              |
| 20+ minutes | Complex research topics           |

<Note>
  Respondents see a countdown timer and receive warnings as time runs out. They can always end early by clicking "End Interview."
</Note>

### Time Limit Tips

* **Shorter is often better** - Respondent attention drops after 10-15 minutes
* **Match complexity** - More learning objectives may need more time
* **Consider your audience** - Busy professionals may prefer shorter interviews

## Regenerating Your Guide

If you want a fresh start:

1. Click **Regenerate** on the Guide tab
2. Confirm that you want to replace the current guide
3. The AI generates a new guide from your learning objectives

<Warning>
  Regenerating replaces your entire guide, including any manual edits. Consider copying your customizations before regenerating.
</Warning>

## Project Activation

After you're happy with your guide:

1. Click **Activate Project**
2. Confirm activation in the dialog
3. Your project status changes to "Active"
4. The Share Interview button becomes available

<Note>
  You can still edit your guide after activation. Changes apply to new interviews only—completed sessions use the guide that was active when they started.
</Note>

## Common Customizations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Make the AI more conversational">
    Update system instructions to encourage casual language, use of the respondent's name, and natural transitions between topics.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Focus on specific topics">
    Add explicit instructions like "Spend at least 2-3 minutes exploring \[specific topic]" to ensure coverage of key areas.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Handle sensitive topics">
    Add instructions for approaching difficult subjects with empathy, giving respondents permission to skip questions they're uncomfortable with.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Encourage specific examples">
    Add probing instructions like "When respondents mention a problem, ask for a specific recent example."
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

* [Share your interview](sharing-interviews) to start collecting responses
* [Learn how interviews work](how-interviews-work) from the respondent's perspective