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What is this feature?

Pinned References let you pin reference files in the builder so that your Playlab app always loads the entire file(s) into the app. The app treats these pinned references as if you copied them directly into the prompt so that they are used every time in your user interactions. This feature is best for reference files you want your app to retrieve 100% of the time.
There is a limit on the size of the combined pinned references. This is because models have limits on the amount of text they can process at once.

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Rationale for the feature

By loading reference files as Pinned References, we can get closer to eliminating retrieval errors, increase speed of retrieval, and improve consistency in the application of rules across all interactions. This approach complements unpinned resources by providing certainty for your most essential reference materials while maintaining the flexibility of on-demand retrieval for larger knowledge bases—giving you the best of both worlds in one simple workflow.

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How do I use Pinned References?

1

Upload your reference file

First, upload the reference document(s) you want to use in your app.
2

Mark as Pinned Reference

In reference panel, pin the reference(s) you’d like to pin by clicking on the pin icon. You can also unpin any pinned references by clicking on the pin icon again.
3

Monitor the size limit

Check the progress bar to ensure you haven’t exceeded the pinned references size limit.

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Pinned vs. Unpinned References

Pinned References

Definition: Files pinned to be fully loaded at conversation start

Usage: Toggle the pin icon to mark a file as pinned

Best for: Critical reference documents needed in their entirety from turn one

Advantage: Uses the entire content of the pinned references in every single interaction

Limitations: Subject to a size cap (shown by progress bar) to maintain performance

Unpinned References

Definition: Files that are retrieved on-demand during conversation

Usage: Default for all files without the pin icon

Best for: Larger knowledge bases where only portions are needed at any time

Advantages: No size limits, more efficient use of context window

Limitations: Uses the most relevant excerpts from your references, based on the context of the conversation. Can be harder to predict how reliably the right information will be retrieved.

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When should I use Pinned References?

Ideal Use Cases

Rubric-based evaluations: When your app needs to apply specific criteria from start to finish

Policy enforcement: When consistent application of rules is required

Safety screening: When complete guidelines must be considered for every interaction

Small reference documents: Files that are concise and focused on a specific purpose

Less Ideal Use Cases

Large knowledge bases: Extensive documentation better suited for RAG

Frequently changing references: Documents that require regular updates

General Q&A applications: Where selective retrieval is more efficient

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Best Practices

  • Keep references concise and focused
  • Trim unnecessary information to focus on what matters
  • Split large references into logical sections if possible
  • Consider what information is truly essential for first-turn understanding
  • Format for clarity
  • Use clear headings and structure
  • Highlight critical information
  • Consider using numbered lists for criteria or steps
  • Test thoroughly
  • Verify the app behaves as expected with the pinned reference
  • Compare performance with and without pinned references
  • Check how the app handles edge cases
  • Balance comprehensiveness with efficiency
  • More content means more accurate following of guidelines
  • But too much content can slow down model responses
  • Find the sweet spot for your specific use case

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FAQ

Yes, there is a cap on the total size of Pinned References as shown by the progress bar in the References panel. AI models can only accept a certain amount of text, and we’ve set aside a limited portion to use for static references that is roughly equivalent to ~40 pages of content. This limit exists to maintain optimal app performance by ensuring your context window isn’t overwhelmed at conversation start.
Yes, you can pin multiple files as Pinned References. However, they all count toward your Pinned References size cap, so prioritize which documents truly need to be fully available from turn one.
Unpinned references pull relevant sections of documents as needed during a conversation. Based on your current exchange, we find the 10 most relevant sections from all your regular references to provide to the model.Pinned References load the entire reference upfront, ensuring complete context from the first interaction.
Absolutely. Your results would be influenced by both the content from your pinned references, as well as the information retrieved based on your other references.
Yes, you can unpin any Pinned Reference by clicking the pin icon again. The file will remain in your References but will switch to being an unpinned reference that’s retrieved on demand. Experiment and see what works best for your app!
Anyone with edit access to the app can add, modify, or remove Pinned References.

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We Want Your Feedback!

Have you tried building with Pinned References? We’d love to hear about your experience! Contact us at support@playlab.ai Last updated: May 4, 2025