---

name: prompt-engineering description: Create and optimize prompts for LLMs and AI models. Use when the user needs help writing prompts, working with system prompts, few-shot examples, or optimizing AI model interactions.

Prompt Engineering

Design effective prompts for large language models and AI systems.

Quick Start

When creating prompts:

1. Understand the task and desired output
2. Choose the appropriate prompt pattern
3. Write clear, specific instructions
4. Include examples if needed
5. Test and iterate

Core Principles

Be Specific

❌ Vague: "Summarize this text"
✅ Specific: "Summarize this article in 3 bullet points, focusing on key findings and their implications"

Use Structured Output

❌ Unstructured: "Tell me about the errors"
✅ Structured: "List each error with: 1) Error type, 2) Location, 3) Suggested fix"

Provide Context

❌ No context: "Review this code"
✅ With context: "Review this Python FastAPI endpoint for security vulnerabilities and performance issues"

Prompt Patterns

System Prompt Template

You are a [ROLE] that helps with [TASK].

## Capabilities
- [Capability 1]
- [Capability 2]

## Guidelines
- [Rule 1]
- [Rule 2]

## Output Format
[Describe expected format]

Few-Shot Example Pattern

Task: [Description]

Example 1:
Input: [example input]
Output: [example output]

Example 2:
Input: [example input]
Output: [example output]

Now complete:
Input: [actual input]
Output:

Chain of Thought

Solve this step by step:

1. First, identify [X]
2. Then, analyze [Y]
3. Finally, determine [Z]

Show your reasoning for each step.

Structured Extraction

Extract the following information from the text:

{
  "field1": "description of what to extract",
  "field2": "description of what to extract",
  "field3": ["list", "of", "items"]
}

Text: [input text]

Role-Based Prompts

Expert Role

You are an expert [domain] specialist with 20 years of experience.
Analyze the following [artifact] and provide professional recommendations.

Reviewer Role

You are a code reviewer focused on [security/performance/maintainability].
Review the following code and provide feedback in this format:
- Severity: [Critical/Warning/Info]
- Issue: [Description]
- Fix: [Recommendation]

Teacher Role

You are a patient teacher explaining [topic] to a [beginner/intermediate] audience.
Use analogies and examples. Check understanding after each concept.

Output Control

JSON Output

Respond ONLY with valid JSON in this exact format:
{
  "analysis": "string",
  "score": number,
  "recommendations": ["string"]
}

Constrained Length

Provide a response in exactly 3 sentences:
1. Summary of the issue
2. Root cause analysis
3. Recommended solution

Multiple Choice

Classify the input into one of these categories:
A) Category One
B) Category Two
C) Category Three

Respond with only the letter.

Optimization Tips

1. Iterate: Test prompts with various inputs
2. Be explicit: Don't assume the model will infer requirements
3. Use delimiters: Separate instructions from content with --- or ###
4. Order matters: Put important instructions at the beginning and end
5. Negative examples: Show what NOT to do for clarity

Common Issues

Problem	Solution
Too verbose	Add "Be concise" or specify length
Wrong format	Provide explicit format template
Hallucinations	Ask for citations or "if unsure, say so"
Inconsistent	Use few-shot examples
Off-topic	Add "Stay focused on [topic]"

Testing Prompts

Test each prompt with:

• Typical inputs
• Edge cases (empty, very long, unusual)
• Adversarial inputs
• Ambiguous inputs

Document what works and what doesn't for future reference.