Describe Intent Clearly
You type "add settle up" and press enter. The assistant builds something: a button that wipes every balance to zero, stored as a new expense, on a page you never mentioned. It did exactly what three words allowed. A prompt is a description of intent, and the assistant cannot read the parts you left in your head.
The rule
Say the goal, the rules, an example, and how you'll check it.
A clear prompt for a feature has four parts:
- Goal. What should exist afterwards, and why. Where it lives, if that matters.
- Rules. Constraints and limits, including what must not change.
- Example. One concrete case: this input, this result. Examples pin down meanings that words leave vague.
- Check. How you will tell it worked, such as a test to add or a case to try.
Here is "add settle up" rewritten:
Goal: let a flatmate record that they paid someone back, from a
"Settle up" button on the balances page.
Rules: the amount must be positive and no more than what they owe.
Store it as a payment, not an expense. Keep money in whole paise.
Do not change the expense form.
Example: Ravi owes Asha ₹300. Ravi records ₹300 to Asha.
Both balances then show ₹0.
Check: add a test for this example, and one showing ₹301 is refused.It is longer, but every line removes a guess. "Store it as a payment, not an expense" prevents the most likely wrong design. "Do not change the expense form" keeps the change contained.
The shortcut
Remember G-R-E-C: Goal, Rules, Example, Check. Before sending, tick each letter. Then ask one question: could a new teammate do this from my words alone, without asking me anything?
Goal
"Show each flatmate's balance as 'owes ₹X' or 'is owed ₹X', instead of plus and minus numbers."
The common mistake is describing how you feel ("cleaner", "better", "more professional") instead of what should be different. Feelings force the assistant to guess what you meant.
Drills
Answer fast — trust the rule.
Which prompt is clearest?
Which part of G-R-E-C does "Do not change the expense form" belong to?
Why include a concrete example in a prompt?
Your prompt has no Check part. What is most likely to go wrong?
Remember
- Rule: say the goal, the rules, an example, and how you'll check it.
- Shortcut: tick G-R-E-C, then ask whether a new teammate could act on your words alone.
- Trap: describing feelings like "better" or "cleaner" instead of what should change.