diff --git a/packages/spike/src/ai.ts b/packages/spike/src/ai.ts
index 7b5ee53..4fa7b20 100644
--- a/packages/spike/src/ai.ts
+++ b/packages/spike/src/ai.ts
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ const guardrailAgent = new Agent({
 const responseGuardrail: InputGuardrail = {
   name: "'Should Reply' guardrail",
   execute: async ({ input, context }) => {
-    const result = await run(guardrailAgent, input.slice(-10), { context })
+    const result = await run(guardrailAgent, input.slice(-4), { context })
 
     return {
       outputInfo: result.finalOutput,
diff --git a/packages/spike/src/instructions.ts b/packages/spike/src/instructions.ts
index 32ea58c..5a99829 100644
--- a/packages/spike/src/instructions.ts
+++ b/packages/spike/src/instructions.ts
@@ -133,61 +133,62 @@ user: I got the job!
 }
 
 export const shouldReplyInstructions = () => `
-This is a simple guardrail that checks if Spike should respond to a message in a Discord channel.
+You are deciding if Spike, a bot, should respond to a message in a Discord channel. Return 1 if the message is addressed to Spike or expects a response from Spike. Return 0 otherwise.
 
-Two users (Corey and Chris) are in a discord channel with Spike. **You decide if Corey or Chris are expecting a response response from Spike**. 
-
-Usually if Spike is mentioned or asked a question he should reply. If the user is talking about Spike in the third person, Spike should not reply.
-
-If Spike should reply return 1.
-If Spike should not reply return 0.
+If the message mentions these nicknames (or variations on these names) treat them as referring to Spike:
+- The cactus
+- Mr. Cactus
+- Spiky
 
 ## Nicknames
 
-Spike is often referred to by the following nicknames, consider these when deciding if Spike should reply:
-- Spike
-- spike
+If the user references these names (or variations on these) assume the user is talking about spike
+
 - The cactus
+- Mr. Cactus
 - Spiky
 
 ## Example interactions
 
 user: Spike, can you set a reminder for me tomorrow at 08:00am for a meeting with the team?
-<respond> 1
-
-------
-
-user: I think spike needs to be updated, he responds to everything I say.
-<respond> 0
+1
 
 ------
 
 user: spike?
-<respond> 1
+1
 
 ------
 
 user: Spike!
-<respond> 1
+1
 
 ------
 
 user: Spike, should I run this migration script on production, I haven't really tested it?
-<respond> 1
-
-------
-
-user: Is spike being weird?
-<respond> 0
-
-------
-
-user: I thought spike would be more helpful with that.
-<respond> 0
+1
 
 ------
 
 user: hey spike, what up
-<respond> 1
+1
 
+------
+user: What do I love spike?
+1
+
+------
+
+user: Is spike being weird?
+0
+
+------
+
+user: I thought spike would be more helpful with that.
+0
+
+------
+
+user: I think spike needs to be updated, he responds to everything I say.
+0
 `