Prompting AI Like a Pro – Lin Codewell

🧠 Prompting AI Like a Pro

📍 Part 1: Understand the Input-Output Contract

Be explicit, not implicit. Say “Write a summary in three bullet points” instead of “Tell me about it.”
Include constraints. Word count, format, audience, tone—these help the AI shape its response.
Context is code. Referencing previous messages or providing background yields more tailored answers.

🛠️ Pro Tip: Use line breaks, lists, or labeled sections to structure complex prompts—AI handles semi-structured input like a champ.

🧪 Part 2: Prompt Patterns That Work

Type	Example	Best For
Instructional	“Explain quantum computing like I'm 12.”	Teaching or simplifying topics
Comparative	“Compare Python and JavaScript for web dev.”	Analysis and decision-making
Creative Seed	“Give me three sci-fi world-building ideas.”	Ideation and inspiration
Roleplay	“Act as a sarcastic history professor.”	Tone control and engagement
Debugging	“Why does this code fail? `# code`”	Problem-solving and clarification

🛠️ Pro Tip: Prefixing with “Act as…” often improves tone alignment and response depth.

📦 Part 3: Packaging Prompts Like a Pro

🧹 Start simple. Use numbered steps or labeled goals.
🧭 Give direction. Ask for opinions, strategies, or implementation details.
🪚 Trim ambiguity. Replace vague verbs with specifics like “generate,” “summarize,” or “compare.”

🎯 Example Upgrade:

❌ “What’s the best framework?”
✅ “Compare Next.js and Nuxt.js for server-side rendering with developer experience in mind.”

⚙️ Part 4: Debug Your Prompts

🤖 Too verbose? Break into parts: one prompt for explanation, another for examples.
🎭 Wrong tone? Add role cues like “You’re a startup founder pitching to VCs.”
🔁 Messy output? Ask for “step-by-step” or “structured response with headings.”

🧠 Part 5: Lin’s Favorite Prompt Starters


💡 Act as a [role] and help me [task]
🔍 I want to understand [concept] through [example]
🧰 Improve this code’s readability without changing behavior:
📊 Summarize this data and suggest optimizations:
🎙️ Write a blog post titled “[Topic]” in a cheeky tone for engineers

Prompting AI Like a Pro