diff --git a/scripts/history_prompts.py b/scripts/history_prompts.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4b01bd1bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/history_prompts.py
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+history_prompt = """
+Update the history with changes shown in the diffs.
+Describe actual user-facing changes, not every single commit that was made implementing them.
+
+Only add new items not already listed.
+Do NOT edit or update existing history entries.
+Do NOT add duplicate entries for changes that have existing history entries.
+
+End each bullet with a period.
+
+Be sure to attribute changes to the proper .x version.
+Changes in the .x-dev version should be listed under a "### main branch" heading
+
+Also, add this as the last bullet under the "### main branch" section:
+{aider_line}
+"""  # noqa
diff --git a/scripts/update-history.py b/scripts/update-history.py
index d8b373a56..52ac5e1b9 100755
--- a/scripts/update-history.py
+++ b/scripts/update-history.py
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ import re
 import subprocess
 import tempfile
 
+from history_prompts import history_prompt
+
 from aider import __version__
 
 
@@ -76,20 +78,7 @@ def main():
     aider_line = blame_result.stdout.strip().split("\n")[-1]  # Get last line with percentage
 
     # Construct and run the aider command
-    message = f"""
-Update the history with changes shown in the diffs.
-Describe actual user-facing changes, not every single commit that was made implementing them.
-
-Only add new items not already listed.
-Do NOT edit or update existing history entries.
-Do NOT add duplicate entries for changes that have existing history entries.
-
-Be sure to attribute changes to the proper .x version.
-Changes in the .x-dev version should be listed under a "### main branch" heading
-
-Also, add this as the last bullet under the "### main branch" section:
-{aider_line}
-"""  # noqa
+    message = history_prompt.format(aider_line=aider_line)
 
     cmd = ["aider", hist_path, "--read", diff_path, "--msg", message, "--no-auto-commit"]
     subprocess.run(cmd)