diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 254c171..5f3aa5e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -162,17 +162,18 @@ values, the `config.yaml` file, and environment variables, in that respective or
 
 Configuration variables:
 
-| Variable           | Description                                                                       | Default                  |
-|--------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|
-| `name`             | The prefix for environment variable overrides.                                    | 'openai'                 |
-| `api_key`          | Your OpenAI API key.                                                              | (none for security)      |
-| `model`            | The GPT model used by the application.                                            | 'gpt-3.5-turbo'          |
-| `max_tokens`       | The maximum number of tokens that can be used in a single API call.               | 4096                     |
-| `thread`           | The name of the current chat thread. Each unique thread name has its own context. | 'default'                |
-| `omit_history`     | If true, the chat history will not be used to provide context for the GPT model.  | false                    |
-| `url`              | The base URL for the OpenAI API.                                                  | 'https://api.openai.com' |
-| `completions_path` | The API endpoint for completions.                                                 | '/v1/chat/completions'   |
-| `models_path`      | The API endpoint for accessing model information.                                 | '/v1/models'             |
+| Variable           | Description                                                                       | Default                        |
+|--------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|
+| `name`             | The prefix for environment variable overrides.                                    | 'openai'                       |
+| `api_key`          | Your OpenAI API key.                                                              | (none for security)            |
+| `model`            | The GPT model used by the application.                                            | 'gpt-3.5-turbo'                |
+| `max_tokens`       | The maximum number of tokens that can be used in a single API call.               | 4096                           |
+| `role`             | The system role                                                                   | 'You are a helpful assistant.' |
+| `thread`           | The name of the current chat thread. Each unique thread name has its own context. | 'default'                      |
+| `omit_history`     | If true, the chat history will not be used to provide context for the GPT model.  | false                          |
+| `url`              | The base URL for the OpenAI API.                                                  | 'https://api.openai.com'       |
+| `completions_path` | The API endpoint for completions.                                                 | '/v1/chat/completions'         |
+| `models_path`      | The API endpoint for accessing model information.                                 | '/v1/models'                   |
 
 The defaults can be overridden by providing your own values in the user configuration file,
 named `.chatgpt-cli/config.yaml`, located in your home directory.
diff --git a/client/client.go b/client/client.go
index 15d7d3b..db96dc2 100644
--- a/client/client.go
+++ b/client/client.go
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	AssistantContent         = "You are a helpful assistant."
 	AssistantRole            = "assistant"
 	ErrEmptyResponse         = "empty response"
 	MaxTokenBufferPercentage = 20
@@ -180,10 +179,11 @@ func (c *Client) initHistory() {
 
 	if len(c.History) == 0 {
 		c.History = []types.Message{{
-			Role:    SystemRole,
-			Content: AssistantContent,
+			Role: SystemRole,
 		}}
 	}
+
+	c.History[0].Content = c.Config.Role
 }
 
 func (c *Client) addQuery(query string) {
diff --git a/client/client_test.go b/client/client_test.go
index 7f635a2..9d1eaf0 100644
--- a/client/client_test.go
+++ b/client/client_test.go
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ const (
 	defaultCompletionsPath = "/default/completions"
 	defaultModelsPath      = "/default/models"
 	defaultThread          = "default-thread"
+	defaultRole            = "You are a great default-role"
 	envApiKey              = "api-key"
 )
 
@@ -209,7 +210,7 @@ func testClient(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 				history := []types.Message{
 					{
 						Role:    client.SystemRole,
-						Content: client.AssistantContent,
+						Content: defaultRole,
 					},
 					{
 						Role:    client.UserRole,
@@ -252,7 +253,7 @@ func testClient(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 				history := []types.Message{
 					{
 						Role:    client.SystemRole,
-						Content: client.AssistantContent,
+						Content: defaultRole,
 					},
 					{
 						Role:    client.UserRole,
@@ -352,7 +353,7 @@ func testClient(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 				history := []types.Message{
 					{
 						Role:    client.SystemRole,
-						Content: client.AssistantContent,
+						Content: defaultRole,
 					},
 					{
 						Role:    client.UserRole,
@@ -433,7 +434,7 @@ func testClient(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 
 			systemMessage := subject.History[0]
 			Expect(systemMessage.Role).To(Equal(client.SystemRole))
-			Expect(systemMessage.Content).To(Equal("You are a helpful assistant."))
+			Expect(systemMessage.Content).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 
 			contextMessage := subject.History[1]
 			Expect(contextMessage.Role).To(Equal(client.UserRole))
@@ -458,7 +459,7 @@ func createMessages(history []types.Message, query string) []types.Message {
 	if len(history) == 0 {
 		messages = append(messages, types.Message{
 			Role:    client.SystemRole,
-			Content: client.AssistantContent,
+			Content: defaultRole,
 		})
 	} else {
 		messages = history
@@ -486,6 +487,7 @@ func newClientFactory(mc *MockCaller, mcs *MockConfigStore, mhs *MockHistoryStor
 		URL:             defaultURL,
 		CompletionsPath: defaultCompletionsPath,
 		ModelsPath:      defaultModelsPath,
+		Role:            defaultRole,
 		Thread:          defaultThread,
 	}).Times(1)
 
diff --git a/config/store.go b/config/store.go
index 1e229d0..81091ed 100644
--- a/config/store.go
+++ b/config/store.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ const (
 	openAIURL             = "https://api.openai.com"
 	openAICompletionsPath = "/v1/chat/completions"
 	openAIModelsPath      = "/v1/models"
+	openAIRole            = "You are a helpful assistant."
 	openAIThread          = "default"
 )
 
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@ func (f *FileIO) ReadDefaults() types.Config {
 	return types.Config{
 		Name:            openAIName,
 		Model:           openAIModel,
+		Role:            openAIRole,
 		MaxTokens:       openAIModelMaxTokens,
 		URL:             openAIURL,
 		CompletionsPath: openAICompletionsPath,
diff --git a/configmanager/configmanager_test.go b/configmanager/configmanager_test.go
index 1e82d55..e360098 100644
--- a/configmanager/configmanager_test.go
+++ b/configmanager/configmanager_test.go
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 		defaultName            = "default-name"
 		defaultURL             = "default-url"
 		defaultModel           = "default-model"
+		defaultRole            = "default-role"
 		defaultApiKey          = "default-api-key"
 		defaultThread          = "default-thread"
 		defaultCompletionsPath = "default-completions-path"
@@ -55,6 +56,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			CompletionsPath: defaultCompletionsPath,
 			ModelsPath:      defaultModelsPath,
 			OmitHistory:     defaultOmitHistory,
+			Role:            defaultRole,
 			Thread:          defaultThread,
 		}
 
@@ -87,6 +89,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Name).To(Equal(defaultName))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 		})
 		it("gives precedence to the user provided model", func() {
@@ -105,6 +108,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Name).To(Equal(defaultName))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 		})
 		it("gives precedence to the user provided name", func() {
@@ -123,6 +127,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 		})
 		it("gives precedence to the user provided max-tokens", func() {
@@ -141,6 +146,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 
 		})
@@ -160,6 +166,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 		})
 		it("gives precedence to the user provided completions-path", func() {
@@ -178,6 +185,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 		})
 		it("gives precedence to the user provided models-path", func() {
@@ -196,6 +204,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(modelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 		})
 		it("gives precedence to the user provided api-key", func() {
@@ -214,6 +223,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(apiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 		})
 		it("gives precedence to the user provided omit-history", func() {
@@ -231,6 +241,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.CompletionsPath).To(Equal(defaultCompletionsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(omitHistory))
 		})
@@ -250,8 +261,28 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(userThread))
 		})
+		it("gives precedence to the user provided role", func() {
+			userRole := "user-role"
+
+			mockConfigStore.EXPECT().ReadDefaults().Return(defaultConfig).Times(1)
+			mockConfigStore.EXPECT().Read().Return(types.Config{Role: userRole}, nil).Times(1)
+
+			subject := configmanager.New(mockConfigStore).WithEnvironment()
+
+			Expect(subject.Config.Name).To(Equal(defaultName))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Model).To(Equal(defaultModel))
+			Expect(subject.Config.MaxTokens).To(Equal(defaultMaxTokens))
+			Expect(subject.Config.URL).To(Equal(defaultURL))
+			Expect(subject.Config.CompletionsPath).To(Equal(defaultCompletionsPath))
+			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
+			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
+			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(userRole))
+		})
 		it("gives precedence to the OMIT_HISTORY environment variable", func() {
 			var (
 				environmentValue = true
@@ -272,6 +303,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.CompletionsPath).To(Equal(defaultCompletionsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(environmentValue))
 		})
@@ -296,8 +328,33 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(environmentValue))
 		})
+		it("gives precedence to the ROLE environment variable", func() {
+			var (
+				environmentValue = "env-role"
+				configValue      = "conf-role"
+			)
+
+			Expect(os.Setenv(envPrefix+"ROLE", environmentValue)).To(Succeed())
+
+			mockConfigStore.EXPECT().ReadDefaults().Return(defaultConfig).Times(1)
+			mockConfigStore.EXPECT().Read().Return(types.Config{Role: configValue}, nil).Times(1)
+
+			subject := configmanager.New(mockConfigStore).WithEnvironment()
+
+			Expect(subject.Config.Name).To(Equal(defaultName))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Model).To(Equal(defaultModel))
+			Expect(subject.Config.MaxTokens).To(Equal(defaultMaxTokens))
+			Expect(subject.Config.URL).To(Equal(defaultURL))
+			Expect(subject.Config.CompletionsPath).To(Equal(defaultCompletionsPath))
+			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
+			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
+			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(environmentValue))
+		})
 		it("gives precedence to the API_KEY environment variable", func() {
 			var (
 				environmentKey = "environment-api-key"
@@ -319,6 +376,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(environmentKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 		})
 		it("gives precedence to the MODEL environment variable", func() {
@@ -342,6 +400,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 		})
 		it("gives precedence to the MAX_TOKENS environment variable", func() {
@@ -365,6 +424,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 		})
 		it("gives precedence to the URL environment variable", func() {
@@ -388,6 +448,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 		})
 		it("gives precedence to the COMPLETIONS_PATH environment variable", func() {
@@ -411,6 +472,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 		})
 		it("gives precedence to the MODELS_PATH environment variable", func() {
@@ -434,6 +496,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(subject.Config.ModelsPath).To(Equal(envModelsPath))
 			Expect(subject.Config.APIKey).To(Equal(defaultApiKey))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 		})
 	})
@@ -455,6 +518,7 @@ func testConfig(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			Expect(result).To(ContainSubstring(defaultModelsPath))
 			Expect(result).To(ContainSubstring(fmt.Sprintf("%d", defaultMaxTokens)))
 			Expect(subject.Config.OmitHistory).To(Equal(defaultOmitHistory))
+			Expect(subject.Config.Role).To(Equal(defaultRole))
 			Expect(subject.Config.Thread).To(Equal(defaultThread))
 		})
 	})
@@ -499,4 +563,5 @@ func cleanEnv(envPrefix string) {
 	Expect(os.Unsetenv(envPrefix + "MODELS_PATH")).To(Succeed())
 	Expect(os.Unsetenv(envPrefix + "OMIT_HISTORY")).To(Succeed())
 	Expect(os.Unsetenv(envPrefix + "THREAD")).To(Succeed())
+	Expect(os.Unsetenv(envPrefix + "ROLE")).To(Succeed())
 }
diff --git a/integration/contract_test.go b/integration/contract_test.go
index 37a70e7..6384f93 100644
--- a/integration/contract_test.go
+++ b/integration/contract_test.go
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ func testContract(t *testing.T, when spec.G, it spec.S) {
 			body := types.CompletionsRequest{
 				Messages: []types.Message{{
 					Role:    client.SystemRole,
-					Content: client.AssistantContent,
+					Content: defaults.Role,
 				}},
 				Model:  defaults.Model,
 				Stream: false,
diff --git a/types/config.go b/types/config.go
index 75e78e2..7fd38a8 100644
--- a/types/config.go
+++ b/types/config.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ type Config struct {
 	APIKey          string `yaml:"api_key"`
 	Model           string `yaml:"model"`
 	MaxTokens       int    `yaml:"max_tokens"`
+	Role            string `yaml:"role"`
 	Thread          string `yaml:"thread"`
 	OmitHistory     bool   `yaml:"omit_history"`
 	URL             string `yaml:"url"`