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

# System Prompt Extraction

### Purpose

The `mindgard recon system-prompt-extraction` command lets you extract the system prompt from a target for reconnaissance purposes.

Based on the findings from this tool, you can then adjust your payload strategies for deeper assessment.

### Usage

After you have logged into your Mindgard account in the CLI, run:

```bash theme={null}
mindgard recon system-prompt-extraction {target options}
```

**Options**

`--bypass` — Use enhanced prompts to attempt circumvention of guardrails. **Warning:** bypass will fire \~100–150 additional requests against the target.

For more information on setting target options refer to the [recon sub-command reference](/user-guide/cli-reference#recon-sub-command-options) and [configuration files](/user-guide/testing-via-cli#configuration-files) documentation.

**Results**

At the end of the recon test you will be given a link to its results page. The results page will show a list of prompt-response pairs that are flagged if they appear to resemble a system prompt.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/mindgard/CLcKkF3agSenZhVt/images/system-prompt-report.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=CLcKkF3agSenZhVt&q=85&s=8e6ca0124f7ca300c37b2cb088b1d95d" alt="Report of system prompt extraction after a successful test" width="1846" height="899" data-path="images/system-prompt-report.png" />

Inspecting the details of the responses may reveal tools, special instructions, and certain confidential information such as API keys, environment variables, and database tables.

### When to use it

* Early in an engagement to scope system instructions the target has been given, to subsequently refine your tests and payloads.
* When seeking to circumvent model instructions by identifying lexical triggers, and inherent logic gaps.