---
title: "How Specific Should an Edit Instruction Be? | ImageQuarry"
url: https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/how-specific-should-an-edit-instruction-be/
last_updated: 2026-10-20
---

# How specific should an edit instruction be?

Specific enough to name the change, where in the image it happens and what should stay the same, so the model does not have to guess. "Change the jacket to pleated ivory; keep the face, hands, crop and background" works better than "make it nicer".

One change per instruction is the easiest to check. If you ask for several, list them clearly; see [Can I ask for several changes in one edit?](https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/can-i-ask-for-several-changes-in-one-edit/).

Say what to keep, then review it. A keep request guides the model; it does not lock the rest of the image.

In ImageQuarry you write the instruction on the version you selected, and the result arrives as a new version, so you never lose the one you had.

_Source: ImageQuarry homepage example (keep request wording); checked October 20, 2026._

Next step: [Can I ask for several changes in one edit?](https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/can-i-ask-for-several-changes-in-one-edit/)

## Related questions

- [Can I ask for several changes in one edit?](https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/can-i-ask-for-several-changes-in-one-edit/): Yes, but a few related changes work better.
- [How do I tell AI what to keep unchanged in an edit?](https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/how-do-i-tell-ai-what-to-keep/): Name the parts to keep, then check them.
- [What makes a good AI image prompt?](https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/what-makes-a-good-ai-image-prompt/): Subject, setting, light, camera and purpose.
- [Why does AI ignore part of my instruction?](https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/why-does-ai-ignore-part-of-my-instruction/): Too many changes at once, or a hard detail.

Last reviewed 2026-10-20 by ImageQuarry.

## Ask for exactly what you mean

Name the change and what to keep, and review the new version.