Make actions easy to distinguish
Asterisks can separate an action from spoken text. For example: *sets the map on the table* I think this route was added later. That makes the action visible without having to explain the formatting inside the story.
You can also use ordinary paragraph breaks to separate a description from a question. A message does not need decorative symbols around every sentence to feel like roleplay.
Use emphasis sparingly
Emphasis can highlight a single word or an important observation. If every sentence is emphasized, it no longer helps the reader identify anything. Keep long quotations and scene descriptions short enough to scan on a phone.
When formatting appears literally instead of being rendered, check whether the opening and closing symbols match. Copying text from another application can introduce different punctuation or an extra character.
Formatting is not a control command
Writing a bracketed instruction or an out-of-character note does not give you a separate system-level command channel. For a change of pace or style, state what you want plainly and keep it consistent with the scene.
Do not put passwords, payment details, or private identifiers in a message just because it is hidden inside a quote or a code block. Visual formatting does not make text private from the service that processes the conversation.
Questions
How do I write an action in a SpicyChat message?
Place the action between asterisks, then write the dialogue separately. A short action followed by a clear spoken line is easier to interpret than a long block mixing several speakers.
Are Markdown and generation settings the same thing?
No. Markdown affects presentation. Generation settings affect how the model produces a reply. Neither substitutes for a clear character definition or a coherent prompt.