Prompt Patterns

Start a Task

Read [file]. Then [do X].

Look at [file] lines 40–80. The issue is in [area]. Fix it without changing anything else.

I want to add [feature] to [file]. Don't implement yet — describe your plan in 3 bullet points.

Control Scope

Only read the files I name. Do not scan the project.

Edit only [function / section]. Leave everything else untouched.

Make the smallest change that fixes this. No refactoring.

Refine Output

Too long. Rewrite in half the words without losing meaning.

The [part] is wrong. Keep everything else — fix only that.

Good structure. Now make it sound less formal / more direct.

Recover

Stop. That's not what I asked. Re-read: [paste original prompt].

Undo the last change. Go back to [describe prior state].

You've drifted. The goal is [X]. Ignore everything since [point]. Start fresh from there.