Lesson 05 · Activity 02

Build a Verification Space

A one-off search forgets your standards the moment it ends. A Space — the workspace Perplexity used to call a Collection — remembers them. Here you'll stand up a project Space, give it grounding files, and use the builder below to write custom instructions that enforce your sourcing rules in every thread, so you never have to re-type "cite primary sources" again.

Set up the Space

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In Perplexity, create a new Space and give it a clear project name (e.g., "Accreditation Review 2026").
Use Add Sources to upload grounding files (PDFs, CSVs) or pin specific websites the Space should always consider.
Build your custom instructions with the tool below and paste them into the Space's Custom Instructions field.
Select the AI model for the Space (paid tiers) and, if collaborating, invite colleagues with appropriate permissions.
Run a test query and confirm the answer obeys your instructions — cited, dated, and drawing on your files.

Custom-instruction builder

Choose the standards this Space should enforce. Generate the instruction block, then copy it into Perplexity. Your selections are saved on this device.

Project / Space name

Who is this research for? (sets tone & reading level)

Source preference

Recency window

Integrity rules Cite a source for every factual claim. Always state each source's publication date. Flag where sources disagree instead of smoothing it over. Warn me when a claim rests on only one source. Say "I'm not certain" rather than guess when sources are thin. Prioritize my uploaded files; use the web to confirm or update them.

Answer format

Make your selections above, then choose "Generate custom instructions" to build your instruction block here.

Paste this into the Space's Custom Instructions field — not into a single thread. Instructions set on the Space apply to every question you ask inside it.

Reflection

Which rule will matter most for your work, and what's one task you'll move into this Space first?

Saved automatically on this device.

Why this holds up: Standards you have to remember are standards you'll skip under deadline pressure. Encoding them once into a Space makes consistent, cited, dated research the path of least resistance — for you and anyone you invite to collaborate.