Tips and tricks
How you ask changes the answer far more than people expect. These are the techniques that make the difference: how to assign a role, how to pin down the format, how to make an assistant work through a problem step by step instead of blurting out the first thing it has.
- How to give AI a role (and constraints) for much more precise answersGiving AI a role and constraints makes the answers much more precise. How to choose a concrete role and which limits stop digressions and inventions.
- How to get output in Markdown, CSV, or JSONGet output in Markdown, CSV, or JSON: choose the format based on the recipient and forbid the surrounding text that breaks the paste and the import.
- How to get a complex Excel formula explained to youHow to get a complex Excel formula explained by the AI: paste it, add your data and have it tell you what it calculates and why.
- How to combine two AIs in a chain for a better resultHow to combine two AIs in a chain: one produces, the other reviews as a critic. One task per link and the first one's output as material for the second.
- How to test and improve your prompts systematicallyHow to test and improve prompts systematically: test cases with a known answer, one change at a time, keep the version that wins.
- How to write prompts that reduce hallucinationsHow to write prompts that reduce hallucinations: anchor the answer to sources you provide, authorize the "I don't know," ask for citations.
- How to use the ReAct technique in a simple wayHow to use the ReAct technique in a simple way: have the AI alternate thought, action and result in turns to verify the facts along the way.
- How to get the AI to ask you critical, in-depth questions on a topicDoes the AI always agree with you? Here's the ready-made prompt to get quizzed with critical questions, one at a time, and put your ideas to the test.
- How to use the Tree of Thoughts method simplyHow to use the Tree of Thoughts simply: have the AI open several paths, evaluate them and develop only the best. With a ready-made prompt.
- How to use shortcuts and quick commands in AI appsHow to use shortcuts and quick commands in AI apps: quick search, internal list with Ctrl+/, slash commands and smartphone gestures.
- How to have AI review and improve its own answerHave AI review its own answer in two moves: first the critique with a change of role, then the rewriting. How to get a more solid result.
- How to use the same AI with different personalities for different tasksHow to use the same AI with different personalities: a precise role per task, a separate chat for each, saved as an assistant.
- How to get lists and text ready to paste into other toolsGet lists and text from AI ready for other tools: ask for the exact format of the destination tool, without the decorative formatting that breaks it.
- How to write a prompt that works well across different AIsHow to write a prompt that works across different AIs: explicit and self-sufficient, role-task-constraints-form, with no proprietary tricks.
- How to generate multiple versions of an answer and choose the bestHow to generate multiple versions of an answer and choose the best: variety for creative tasks, converging reasonings for those with a right answer.
- How to build prompt chains for complex tasksPrompt chains break a complex task into connected, checkable steps. How to build them, and why checking at every link makes the difference.
- How to compare two texts or versions and highlight the differencesHow to compare two texts or versions with AI: label A and B, ask only for the before/after differences and have numbers and dates highlighted.
- How to create reusable personal prompt templates and setsCreate reusable prompt templates with placeholders: stop rewriting from scratch and get consistent results. Where to save them and how to improve them.
- How to extract structured data from messy textExtract structured data from messy text: define the fields and forbid inventions with the rule "if missing write not present." From chaos to a grid.
- How to get structured comparisons and alternatives with pros and consHow to get structured comparisons and alternatives with pros and cons from AI: give your criteria, ask for the table and the verdict for your case.
- How to get tables ready to paste into Excel or Google SheetsGet tables from AI ready for Excel or Sheets: ask for tab-separated columns and the right number format, so the calculations don't break.
- How to make AI reason step by step before answeringMaking AI reason step by step improves accuracy on complex problems and makes the reasoning checkable. How to ask for it and when it's worth it.
- How to save tokens and messages with more efficient promptsHow to save tokens and messages with efficient prompts: short and dense, form and length stated, one chat per topic.
- How to set a consistent style, tone and level of detailHow to set a consistent style, tone and detail in AI: write the rules once in the custom instructions or in a block to paste.
- How to use negative prompting (telling the AI what NOT to do)How to use negative prompting: tell the AI what not to do with precise prohibitions, better if turned positive for recurring flaws.