Refining Prompts

Process

1. Assess -- Identify what the prompt is missing:

Element	Check
Task	Is the core action explicit and unambiguous?
Constraints	Are length, format, tone, and scope defined?
Output format	Does it specify the expected structure?
Context	Does the model have enough background to act? Check: audience, input format, success criteria, scope boundaries, technical constraints
Examples	Would a demonstration clarify the expected output?
Edge cases	Are failure modes and boundary conditions addressed?

2. Rewrite -- Transform into specification language: precise, imperative, no filler. Treat the prompt as a spec, not conversation.

3. Validate -- Check the rewrite against the assessment table. Every gap identified in step 1 must be addressed.

Rules

• Length: 0.75x–1.5x the original. Conciseness is a feature -- add only what's missing, cut what's vague.
• Never invent -- only use information present in the original prompt or conversation context. If critical info is missing, ask instead of assuming.
• Instruction hierarchy -- order sections by priority: task → constraints → examples → input data → output format. Place the most important instruction first.
• Progressive complexity -- start with the simplest prompt that could work. Add few-shot examples, chain-of-thought, or role framing only when the task demands it, not by default.
• Specific verbs -- replace vague actions ("analyze", "process", "handle") with measurable ones ("list the top 3", "classify as A/B/C", "return JSON with keys X, Y").
• One output format -- specify exactly one format (JSON schema, markdown template, numbered list). Ambiguous format expectations cause inconsistent results.
• No meta-commentary -- output only the refined prompt as markdown. No preamble ("Here's an improved version..."), no explanation of changes unless explicitly requested.

Persistence

After refining, offer to save the result to .ai/PROMPT.md -- do not write without user confirmation. If approved, append with a heading and date:

## [Prompt Name] -- YYYY-MM-DD

[refined prompt content]

Anti-Patterns

Problem	Fix
Vague verbs ("look into", "deal with")	Replace with concrete actions ("list", "compare", "extract")
Missing output spec	Add explicit format section with example structure
Examples contradict instructions	Align examples to match every stated rule
Over-engineered from the start	Strip to simplest working version, then add complexity only where output quality requires it
Prompt exceeds context with examples	Limit to 2–3 diverse examples; use one simple, one edge case

Constraints

• Stop refining if the original intent is unclear -- clarify first
• Do not refine prompts for harmful or illegal tasks

Verify

• Rewrite addresses every gap identified in the assessment
• Length ratio within 0.75x-1.5x of original (unless structural change justified)
• No invented constraints or assumptions not in the original