# Agent Builder topics, instructions, prompts and testing

*Platform Administrator Study Guide · Agentforce · Last updated September 26, 2026 · https://certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-administrator/agentforce/agent-builder-prompts-instructions-and-testing*

Write topic classification descriptions, scopes and instructions that route and guide an agent, maintain versioned Prompt Builder templates, test changes safely with the conversation preview and Testing Center, and deploy from sandbox to production.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Administrator
- Exam section: Agentforce
- Study guide: https://certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-administrator

**Official exam objective:**

> Explain how to maintain, update, or install prompts and instructions in Agent Builder (light testing, conversation preview).

## What the exam expects

- Fix misrouted requests by rewriting topic names and classification descriptions so topics don't overlap.
- Write topic scope and instructions that are short, specific and single-purpose, and know when a rule belongs in an action instead.
- Update a Prompt Builder template's grounding, preview the resolved prompt against a record, and save and activate a new version.
- Use the conversation preview for light testing, knowing it shows the chosen topic and action and that live testing runs real actions.
- Move tested agent and prompt changes from a sandbox to production as metadata.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Topic selection uses | Topic name and classification description, plus recent conversation | [Subagents](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_topics.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Classification description length | 1-3 sentences | [Subagents](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_topics.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Instructions read | Only after the topic is selected | [Subagents](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_topics.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Instruction field limit | 131,072 characters; shorter performs better | [Subagent Instructions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_topics_instructions.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Instruction order | Not followed in listed order; use one sequenced instruction or a filter | [Subagent Instructions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_topics_instructions.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Business rules | Build into an action (such as a flow), not instructions | [Subagent Instructions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_topics_instructions.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Prompt preview shows | Resolved Prompt and Response for a chosen record | [Review Prompt Templates](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/prompt-builder-basics/review-revise-and-repeat-testing-prompt-templates) |
| Template in use by features | The active version only | [Review Prompt Templates](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/prompt-builder-basics/review-revise-and-repeat-testing-prompt-templates) |
| Save As options | New Version (same API name) or New Template (new API name) | [Review Prompt Templates](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/prompt-builder-basics/review-revise-and-repeat-testing-prompt-templates) |
| Prompt template types | Sales Email, Field Generation, Record Summary, Flex | [Prompt Builder](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/prompt-builder-basics/get-to-know-prompt-builder) |
| Live Test and legacy preview | Run real actions and change org data | [New Agentforce Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=005232662&language=en_US&type=1) |
| Simulate mode | Mock data, no org changes, still consumes credits | [New Agentforce Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=005232662&language=en_US&type=1) |
| Topics renamed | Subagents, April 2026, same functionality | [Subagents](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_topics.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Which two topic fields does the agent compare with a request to pick a topic? → The topic name and the classification description, plus recent conversation history ([Subagents](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_topics.htm&language=en_US&type=5))
- Why does a business rule belong in a flow-based action rather than a topic instruction? → Instructions are interpreted by the LLM and are nondeterministic; an action evaluates the rule the same way every time ([Subagent Instructions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_topics_instructions.htm&language=en_US&type=5))
- Why might a related field show blank in a prompt template's Resolved Prompt? → The resource path to the related record was never added, or the previewing user can't see the field ([Review Prompt Templates](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/prompt-builder-basics/review-revise-and-repeat-testing-prompt-templates))
- What must you do after editing a prompt template before users see the change? → Save it as a new version and activate it; features use only the active version ([Review Prompt Templates](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/prompt-builder-basics/review-revise-and-repeat-testing-prompt-templates))
- When should you use Simulate rather than Live Test? → For early tests of flow and wording: Simulate uses mock data and changes nothing, while Live Test runs real actions ([New Agentforce Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=005232662&language=en_US&type=1))

## Sources

- [Subagents in the Legacy Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_topics.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Best Practices for Subagent Instructions in the Legacy Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=ai.copilot_topics_instructions.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Learn About New Agentforce Builder with Agent Script](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=005232662&language=en_US&type=1)
- [Trust Your Agents (Trailhead, Agentforce Agent Testing)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/agentforce-agent-testing/trust-your-agents)
- [Review, Revise, and Save Prompt Templates (Trailhead, Prompt Builder Basics)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/prompt-builder-basics/review-revise-and-repeat-testing-prompt-templates)
- [Get to Know Prompt Builder (Trailhead, Prompt Builder Basics)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/prompt-builder-basics/get-to-know-prompt-builder)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 10 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Administrator pack (USD $19): https://certifyforce.com/practice-exams