diff --git a/examples/agent_creator.py b/examples/agent_creator.py
index e908fe6ee..fe883bdf4 100644
--- a/examples/agent_creator.py
+++ b/examples/agent_creator.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class AgentCreator(Role):
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._init_actions([CreateAgent])
+        self.add_actions([CreateAgent])
 
     async def _act(self) -> Message:
         logger.info(f"{self._setting}: to do {self.rc.todo}({self.rc.todo.name})")
diff --git a/examples/build_customized_agent.py b/examples/build_customized_agent.py
index 6c3219efc..a0c8ddfb3 100644
--- a/examples/build_customized_agent.py
+++ b/examples/build_customized_agent.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class SimpleCoder(Role):
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._init_actions([SimpleWriteCode])
+        self.add_actions([SimpleWriteCode])
 
     async def _act(self) -> Message:
         logger.info(f"{self._setting}: to do {self.rc.todo}({self.rc.todo.name})")
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ class RunnableCoder(Role):
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._init_actions([SimpleWriteCode, SimpleRunCode])
+        self.add_actions([SimpleWriteCode, SimpleRunCode])
         self._set_react_mode(react_mode=RoleReactMode.BY_ORDER.value)
 
     async def _act(self) -> Message:
diff --git a/examples/build_customized_multi_agents.py b/examples/build_customized_multi_agents.py
index 73278c08c..aceb3f2ab 100644
--- a/examples/build_customized_multi_agents.py
+++ b/examples/build_customized_multi_agents.py
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ class SimpleCoder(Role):
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
         self._watch([UserRequirement])
-        self._init_actions([SimpleWriteCode])
+        self.add_actions([SimpleWriteCode])
 
 
 class SimpleWriteTest(Action):
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class SimpleTester(Role):
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._init_actions([SimpleWriteTest])
+        self.add_actions([SimpleWriteTest])
         # self._watch([SimpleWriteCode])
         self._watch([SimpleWriteCode, SimpleWriteReview])  # feel free to try this too
 
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ class SimpleReviewer(Role):
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._init_actions([SimpleWriteReview])
+        self.add_actions([SimpleWriteReview])
         self._watch([SimpleWriteTest])
 
 
diff --git a/examples/debate.py b/examples/debate.py
index eb0a09839..b47eba3cd 100644
--- a/examples/debate.py
+++ b/examples/debate.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ class Debator(Role):
 
     def __init__(self, **data: Any):
         super().__init__(**data)
-        self._init_actions([SpeakAloud])
+        self.add_actions([SpeakAloud])
         self._watch([UserRequirement, SpeakAloud])
 
     async def _observe(self) -> int:
diff --git a/metagpt/context.py b/metagpt/context.py
index 293beb9b5..495fe9e2f 100644
--- a/metagpt/context.py
+++ b/metagpt/context.py
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ class Context(LLMMixin, BaseModel):
 
 
 class ContextMixin:
-    """Mixin class for configurable objects"""
+    """Mixin class for configurable objects: Priority: more specific < parent"""
 
     _context: Optional[Context] = None
 
diff --git a/metagpt/roles/architect.py b/metagpt/roles/architect.py
index c6ceaccb7..a22a1c926 100644
--- a/metagpt/roles/architect.py
+++ b/metagpt/roles/architect.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class Architect(Role):
     def __init__(self, **kwargs) -> None:
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
         # Initialize actions specific to the Architect role
-        self._init_actions([WriteDesign])
+        self.add_actions([WriteDesign])
 
         # Set events or actions the Architect should watch or be aware of
         self._watch({WritePRD})
diff --git a/metagpt/roles/engineer.py b/metagpt/roles/engineer.py
index 98744383c..ad0c1ac92 100644
--- a/metagpt/roles/engineer.py
+++ b/metagpt/roles/engineer.py
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ class Engineer(Role):
     def __init__(self, **kwargs) -> None:
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
 
-        self._init_actions([WriteCode])
+        self.add_actions([WriteCode])
         self._watch([WriteTasks, SummarizeCode, WriteCode, WriteCodeReview, FixBug])
         self.code_todos = []
         self.summarize_todos = []
diff --git a/metagpt/roles/invoice_ocr_assistant.py b/metagpt/roles/invoice_ocr_assistant.py
index 8635f4307..de7d3f8a3 100644
--- a/metagpt/roles/invoice_ocr_assistant.py
+++ b/metagpt/roles/invoice_ocr_assistant.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class InvoiceOCRAssistant(Role):
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._init_actions([InvoiceOCR])
+        self.add_actions([InvoiceOCR])
         self._set_react_mode(react_mode=RoleReactMode.BY_ORDER.value)
 
     async def _act(self) -> Message:
@@ -82,10 +82,10 @@ class InvoiceOCRAssistant(Role):
             resp = await todo.run(file_path)
             if len(resp) == 1:
                 # Single file support for questioning based on OCR recognition results
-                self._init_actions([GenerateTable, ReplyQuestion])
+                self.add_actions([GenerateTable, ReplyQuestion])
                 self.orc_data = resp[0]
             else:
-                self._init_actions([GenerateTable])
+                self.add_actions([GenerateTable])
 
             self.set_todo(None)
             content = INVOICE_OCR_SUCCESS
diff --git a/metagpt/roles/product_manager.py b/metagpt/roles/product_manager.py
index 7f1a49231..a35dcb3a0 100644
--- a/metagpt/roles/product_manager.py
+++ b/metagpt/roles/product_manager.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class ProductManager(Role):
     def __init__(self, **kwargs) -> None:
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
 
-        self._init_actions([PrepareDocuments, WritePRD])
+        self.add_actions([PrepareDocuments, WritePRD])
         self._watch([UserRequirement, PrepareDocuments])
         self.todo_action = any_to_name(PrepareDocuments)
 
diff --git a/metagpt/roles/project_manager.py b/metagpt/roles/project_manager.py
index 1fad4afc2..7fa16b1e5 100644
--- a/metagpt/roles/project_manager.py
+++ b/metagpt/roles/project_manager.py
@@ -33,5 +33,5 @@ class ProjectManager(Role):
     def __init__(self, **kwargs) -> None:
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
 
-        self._init_actions([WriteTasks])
+        self.add_actions([WriteTasks])
         self._watch([WriteDesign])
diff --git a/metagpt/roles/qa_engineer.py b/metagpt/roles/qa_engineer.py
index 7da0af072..80b0fd39a 100644
--- a/metagpt/roles/qa_engineer.py
+++ b/metagpt/roles/qa_engineer.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ class QaEngineer(Role):
 
         # FIXME: a bit hack here, only init one action to circumvent _think() logic,
         #  will overwrite _think() in future updates
-        self._init_actions([WriteTest])
+        self.add_actions([WriteTest])
         self._watch([SummarizeCode, WriteTest, RunCode, DebugError])
         self.test_round = 0
 
diff --git a/metagpt/roles/researcher.py b/metagpt/roles/researcher.py
index 5110c6485..e877778f6 100644
--- a/metagpt/roles/researcher.py
+++ b/metagpt/roles/researcher.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ class Researcher(Role):
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._init_actions(
+        self.add_actions(
             [CollectLinks(name=self.name), WebBrowseAndSummarize(name=self.name), ConductResearch(name=self.name)]
         )
         self._set_react_mode(react_mode=RoleReactMode.BY_ORDER.value)
diff --git a/metagpt/roles/role.py b/metagpt/roles/role.py
index 73d82e369..42996bea8 100644
--- a/metagpt/roles/role.py
+++ b/metagpt/roles/role.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from enum import Enum
-from typing import Any, Iterable, Optional, Set, Type
+from typing import Any, Iterable, Optional, Set, Type, Union
 
 from pydantic import BaseModel, ConfigDict, Field, SerializeAsAny, model_validator
 
@@ -222,20 +222,18 @@ class Role(SerializationMixin):
     def _init_action_system_message(self, action: Action):
         action.set_prefix(self._get_prefix())
 
-    def refresh_system_message(self):
-        self.llm.system_prompt = self._get_prefix()
+    def add_action(self, action: Action):
+        """Add action to the role."""
+        self.add_actions([action])
 
-    def set_memory(self, memory: Memory):
-        self.rc.memory = memory
+    def add_actions(self, actions: list[Union[Action, Type[Action]]]):
+        """Add actions to the role.
 
-    def init_actions(self, actions):
-        self._init_actions(actions)
-
-    def _init_actions(self, actions):
-        self._reset()
-        for idx, action in enumerate(actions):
+        Args:
+            actions: list of Action classes or instances
+        """
+        for action in actions:
             if not isinstance(action, Action):
-                ## 默认初始化
                 i = action(name="", llm=self.llm)
             else:
                 if self.is_human and not isinstance(action.llm, HumanProvider):
@@ -247,7 +245,7 @@ class Role(SerializationMixin):
                 i = action
             self._init_action_system_message(i)
             self.actions.append(i)
-            self.states.append(f"{idx}. {action}")
+            self.states.append(f"{len(self.actions)}. {action}")
 
     def _set_react_mode(self, react_mode: str, max_react_loop: int = 1):
         """Set strategy of the Role reacting to observed Message. Variation lies in how
@@ -302,7 +300,7 @@ class Role(SerializationMixin):
         self.rc.env = env
         if env:
             env.set_addresses(self, self.addresses)
-            self.refresh_system_message()  # add env message to system message
+            self.llm.system_prompt = self._get_prefix()
 
     @property
     def action_count(self):
diff --git a/metagpt/roles/sales.py b/metagpt/roles/sales.py
index ca1cfee85..8da930888 100644
--- a/metagpt/roles/sales.py
+++ b/metagpt/roles/sales.py
@@ -38,5 +38,5 @@ class Sales(Role):
             action = SearchAndSummarize(name="", engine=SearchEngineType.CUSTOM_ENGINE, search_func=store.asearch)
         else:
             action = SearchAndSummarize()
-        self._init_actions([action])
+        self.add_actions([action])
         self._watch([UserRequirement])
diff --git a/metagpt/roles/searcher.py b/metagpt/roles/searcher.py
index e713f7697..f37bd4704 100644
--- a/metagpt/roles/searcher.py
+++ b/metagpt/roles/searcher.py
@@ -48,12 +48,12 @@ class Searcher(Role):
             engine (SearchEngineType): The type of search engine to use.
         """
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._init_actions([SearchAndSummarize(engine=self.engine)])
+        self.add_actions([SearchAndSummarize(engine=self.engine)])
 
     def set_search_func(self, search_func):
         """Sets a custom search function for the searcher."""
         action = SearchAndSummarize(name="", engine=SearchEngineType.CUSTOM_ENGINE, search_func=search_func)
-        self._init_actions([action])
+        self.add_actions([action])
 
     async def _act_sp(self) -> Message:
         """Performs the search action in a single process."""
diff --git a/metagpt/roles/sk_agent.py b/metagpt/roles/sk_agent.py
index 8921774f0..468905fce 100644
--- a/metagpt/roles/sk_agent.py
+++ b/metagpt/roles/sk_agent.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class SkAgent(Role):
     def __init__(self, **data: Any) -> None:
         """Initializes the Engineer role with given attributes."""
         super().__init__(**data)
-        self._init_actions([ExecuteTask()])
+        self.add_actions([ExecuteTask()])
         self._watch([UserRequirement])
         self.kernel = make_sk_kernel()
 
diff --git a/metagpt/roles/teacher.py b/metagpt/roles/teacher.py
index fb547f56b..b4ffd01d3 100644
--- a/metagpt/roles/teacher.py
+++ b/metagpt/roles/teacher.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ class Teacher(Role):
             for topic in TeachingPlanBlock.TOPICS:
                 act = WriteTeachingPlanPart(context=self.rc.news[0].content, topic=topic, llm=self.llm)
                 actions.append(act)
-            self._init_actions(actions)
+            self.add_actions(actions)
 
         if self.rc.todo is None:
             self._set_state(0)
diff --git a/metagpt/roles/tutorial_assistant.py b/metagpt/roles/tutorial_assistant.py
index 10bd82c60..d296c7b3f 100644
--- a/metagpt/roles/tutorial_assistant.py
+++ b/metagpt/roles/tutorial_assistant.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ class TutorialAssistant(Role):
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._init_actions([WriteDirectory(language=self.language)])
+        self.add_actions([WriteDirectory(language=self.language)])
         self._set_react_mode(react_mode=RoleReactMode.BY_ORDER.value)
 
     async def _handle_directory(self, titles: Dict) -> Message:
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class TutorialAssistant(Role):
             directory += f"- {key}\n"
             for second_dir in first_dir[key]:
                 directory += f"  - {second_dir}\n"
-        self._init_actions(actions)
+        self.add_actions(actions)
 
     async def _act(self) -> Message:
         """Perform an action as determined by the role.
diff --git a/tests/metagpt/serialize_deserialize/test_serdeser_base.py b/tests/metagpt/serialize_deserialize/test_serdeser_base.py
index ddb47a3e2..c97cea597 100644
--- a/tests/metagpt/serialize_deserialize/test_serdeser_base.py
+++ b/tests/metagpt/serialize_deserialize/test_serdeser_base.py
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ class RoleA(Role):
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         super(RoleA, self).__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._init_actions([ActionPass])
+        self.add_actions([ActionPass])
         self._watch([UserRequirement])
 
 
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ class RoleB(Role):
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         super(RoleB, self).__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._init_actions([ActionOK, ActionRaise])
+        self.add_actions([ActionOK, ActionRaise])
         self._watch([ActionPass])
         self.rc.react_mode = RoleReactMode.BY_ORDER
 
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class RoleC(Role):
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs):
         super(RoleC, self).__init__(**kwargs)
-        self._init_actions([ActionOK, ActionRaise])
+        self.add_actions([ActionOK, ActionRaise])
         self._watch([UserRequirement])
         self.rc.react_mode = RoleReactMode.BY_ORDER
         self.rc.memory.ignore_id = True
diff --git a/tests/metagpt/test_role.py b/tests/metagpt/test_role.py
index 52d08e92e..20c8dba6d 100644
--- a/tests/metagpt/test_role.py
+++ b/tests/metagpt/test_role.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class MockAction(Action):
 class MockRole(Role):
     def __init__(self, name="", profile="", goal="", constraints="", desc=""):
         super().__init__(name=name, profile=profile, goal=goal, constraints=constraints, desc=desc)
-        self._init_actions([MockAction()])
+        self.add_actions([MockAction()])
 
 
 def test_basic():
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ async def test_send_to():
 
 def test_init_action():
     role = Role()
-    role.init_actions([MockAction, MockAction])
+    role.add_actions([MockAction, MockAction])
     assert role.action_count == 2
 
 
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ async def test_recover():
     role.publish_message(None)
 
     role.llm = mock_llm
-    role.init_actions([MockAction, MockAction])
+    role.add_actions([MockAction, MockAction])
     role.recovered = True
     role.latest_observed_msg = Message(content="recover_test")
     role.rc.state = 0
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ async def test_think_act():
     mock_llm.aask.side_effect = ["ok"]
 
     role = Role()
-    role.init_actions([MockAction])
+    role.add_actions([MockAction])
     await role.think()
     role.rc.memory.add(Message("run"))
     assert len(role.get_memories()) == 1