diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1c77b43..b31223c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -90,6 +90,12 @@ All variables can be placed in the `.env` file (one `KEY=value` per line) or pro
 | `MISTLE_LLM_MODEL` | ❌ | Override the `litellm` model used by the intelligent tool (defaults to `mistral/mistral-small-2407`). |
 | `MISTRAL_API_KEY` | ❌ | API key used by `IntelligentCommunicationTool` (via `litellm`) when calling the `mistral/mistral-small-2407` model. |
 
+## System Prompt File
+
+- LLM-backed components now load their system prompt from `SYSTEM.md` in the project root.
+- This applies to both the intelligent agent and the intelligent communication tool.
+- If `SYSTEM.md` is missing or empty, the app falls back to built-in defaults and logs a warning.
+
 ## Tool Development
 
 - Implement new tools by subclassing `tools.Tool` and overriding `observe()` and `decide()`.
diff --git a/SYSTEM.md b/SYSTEM.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a514404
--- /dev/null
+++ b/SYSTEM.md
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+You are Mistle, a autonomous Agent playing the German-speaking MUD silberland.
+Your goal is to level up as much as possible and explore the world.
+
+## Behavior
+- Be concise, friendly, and informal.
+- When replying to players, answer in German.
+- Keep answers practical and in-character for a MUD helper bot.
+- Use emoticons only when appropriate: :) ;) 8) :( ;( :P X) XD :D
+
+## Tool Usage
+Use tools only when appropriate. Think how you can solve problems without
+using a tool. Do not use the "exploration" tool multiple times in a row.
+
+## Mud Commands
+The following MUD commands may be helpful to you
+schau - get a description of the current environment
+info - examine your own stats
+hilfe - get additional help in general and about specific commands
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/intelligent_agent.py b/intelligent_agent.py
index 9d15aa6..30baba2 100644
--- a/intelligent_agent.py
+++ b/intelligent_agent.py
@@ -14,19 +14,24 @@ except ImportError:  # pragma: no cover
     completion = None  # type: ignore[assignment]
 
 from agents import Agent
+from system_prompt import load_system_prompt
 
 ToolInvoker = Callable[[str], bool]
 CommandExecutor = Callable[[str], None]
 
+DEFAULT_AGENT_SYSTEM_PROMPT = (
+    "You are Mistle, a helpful MUD assistant. "
+    "You can either call tools or send plain commands to the MUD."
+)
+
 
 @dataclass
 class IntelligentAgent(Agent):
     """LLM-driven agent that decides between tools and raw commands."""
 
     model: str = "mistral/mistral-large-2407"
-    system_prompt: str = (
-        "You are Mistle, a helpful MUD assistant. "
-        "You can either call tools or send plain commands to the MUD."
+    system_prompt: str = field(
+        default_factory=lambda: load_system_prompt(default=DEFAULT_AGENT_SYSTEM_PROMPT)
     )
     temperature: float = 0.7
     max_output_tokens: int = 200
diff --git a/intelligent_tool.py b/intelligent_tool.py
index f359f83..51f7ee3 100644
--- a/intelligent_tool.py
+++ b/intelligent_tool.py
@@ -11,20 +11,27 @@ try:
 except ImportError:  # pragma: no cover - optional dependency
     completion = None  # type: ignore[assignment]
 
+from system_prompt import load_system_prompt
 from tools import Tool
 
+DEFAULT_COMMUNICATION_SYSTEM_PROMPT = (
+    "Du bist Mistle, ein hilfsbereiter MUD-Bot. "
+    "Antworte freundlich und knapp in deutscher Sprache."
+    "Sprich informell und freundlich."
+    "Antworte immer auf Deutsch."
+    "Verwende emoticons, wenn es angebracht ist: :) ;) 8) :( ;( :P X) XD :D"
+)
+
 
 @dataclass
 class IntelligentCommunicationTool(Tool):
     """Tool that uses a language model to answer private tells."""
 
     model: str = "mistral/mistral-tiny"
-    system_prompt: str = (
-        "Du bist Mistle, ein hilfsbereiter MUD-Bot. "
-        "Antworte freundlich und knapp in deutscher Sprache."
-        "Sprich informell und freundlich."
-        "Antworte immer auf Deutsch."
-        "Verwende emoticons, wenn es angebracht ist: :) ;) 8) :( ;( :P X) XD :D"
+    system_prompt: str = field(
+        default_factory=lambda: load_system_prompt(
+            default=DEFAULT_COMMUNICATION_SYSTEM_PROMPT
+        )
     )
     temperature: float = 0.7
     max_output_tokens: int = 120
diff --git a/system_prompt.py b/system_prompt.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..097689d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/system_prompt.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+
+_WARNED_PATHS: set[Path] = set()
+
+
+def load_system_prompt(*, default: str, path: str = "SYSTEM.md") -> str:
+    """Load the system prompt from disk, with a fallback default."""
+    prompt_path = Path(path)
+    try:
+        content = prompt_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8").strip()
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        _warn_once(prompt_path, "not found")
+        return default
+    except OSError as exc:  # pragma: no cover - environment specific
+        _warn_once(prompt_path, f"unreadable ({exc})")
+        return default
+
+    if not content:
+        _warn_once(prompt_path, "empty")
+        return default
+    return content
+
+
+def _warn_once(path: Path, reason: str) -> None:
+    if path in _WARNED_PATHS:
+        return
+    _WARNED_PATHS.add(path)
+    print(
+        f"[Prompt] {path} is {reason}; using built-in default prompt.",
+        file=sys.stderr,
+    )