Generation

Frequency penalty

Frequency penalty discourages repeated tokens.

Quick definition

Frequency penalty discourages repeated tokens.

  • Category: Generation
  • Focus: output style and randomness
  • Used in: Lower randomness for precise, repeatable answers.

What it means

It reduces repetition by lowering probability for repeated tokens. In generation workflows, frequency penalty often shapes output style and randomness.

How it works

Generation settings control how the model samples tokens. They trade off creativity, determinism, and safety.

Why it matters

Generation settings trade off creativity, determinism, and safety.

Common use cases

  • Lower randomness for precise, repeatable answers.
  • Higher randomness for brainstorming and creative tasks.
  • Stopping rules to end output at the right time.

Example

Increase penalty to reduce repeated phrases.

Pitfalls and tips

High randomness can reduce accuracy while low randomness can be repetitive. Tune per task and evaluate results.

In BoltAI

In BoltAI, this appears in model settings that shape responses.