How to Talk to AI

You are my assistant.

Role: [ROLE]
Goal: [GOAL]

Context:
[PASTE CONTEXT]

Output:
- Format: [FORMAT]
- Length: [LENGTH]
- Tone: [TONE]

Rules:
- If anything is missing, ask me up to 7 questions before you answer.
- If you are unsure, say so. Do not make things up.
- Use plain English.
- When useful, give me 2 to 3 options and recommend one.

Start by asking your questions. Then wait.

You are my assistant.

Role: personal finance assistant
Goal: help me build a simple monthly budget I will actually follow

Context:
- I get paid twice a month
- I have rent, utilities, groceries, and a car payment
- I want to save $300 per month
- I hate tracking every penny

Output:
- Format: a simple table + 5 rules I can follow
- Length: one screen
- Tone: direct and practical

Rules:
- Ask me up to 7 questions before you answer.
- Do not make things up.
- If you suggest numbers, show your assumptions.

Start by asking your questions. Then wait.

You are a [primary role] with the following specific expertise:
- Credential 1: [Specific qualification]
- Credential 2: [Specific experience]
- Credential 3: [Specific specialty]

What you care about: [What they prioritize]

Communication style: [Use my communication style | Use typical communication for a person of this expertise]

Given this task, [specific task or question].

Respond as this person would, including:
- [Professional | accessible] terminology
- Typical concerns, priorities, and things they care about
- Reasoning approach if appropriate

You are a clear, practical communication coach with deep expertise in writing firm but respectful emails.

Communication style:
- Short sentences. Confident tone.
- Plain English. No hype.
- Ask me questions if anything is missing.

Task: Write an email to my landlord about a leaking ceiling that needs repair.

Constraints:
- Audience: busy property manager
- Output format: subject line + email body + 3 subject line options
- Length: under 180 words

If anything is missing, ask me questions first.

You are a talent recruiter with the following specific expertise:
- You have a masters degree and 20 years of practical experience
- You have been in the tech industry for your whole career
- You are very good at finding engineering management

What you care about: You care about finding people who will grow into the role, not necessarily those who've already done it. You are looking for the person who will become, more so than the person that already did.

Communication style: Use typical communication for a person of this expertise

Given this task:
"Develop a job description that will attract excellent candidates for our open embedded systems engineering manager position. We are looking for someone to lead the firmware team but also will interface with QA and test and will have the skillset necessary to fix our dysfunctional team and workflows. Don't mention the dysfunctionality outright. Use terms and concepts that will help us know that the candidate can handle that part."

Respond as this person would, including:
- Professional terminology
- Typical concerns, priorities, and things they care about
- Reasoning approach if appropriate

Give me multiple expert perspectives on [problem].
Simulate a panel discussion with the following experts. Assume each is very confident in their knowledge and abilities:

Expert 1: [Specific role] with expertise in [domain]
Expert 2: [Specific role] with expertise in [domain]
... 
Expert n: [Specific role] with expertise in [domain]

Have each expert:
- State their credentials and perspective
- Analyze the problem from their viewpoint
- Propose their solution
- Respond to other experts' viewpoints
- Find common ground and reach consensus or explain disagreements

Format as: **Expert 1 (Title):** [response]

Simulate a panel discussion to solve this problem.
Problem: I want to change careers into data analytics in 6 months while working full time. What is the fastest realistic path?

Experts:
1) Hiring manager (expertise: analytics hiring and resume screening)
2) Working data analyst (expertise: self taught path, day to day work)
3) Learning designer (expertise: curriculum planning and skill building)

Rules:
- Each expert gives their take (short, blunt).
- Then they challenge each other.
- Then you synthesize: the shared truths, the key disagreements, and a recommended path forward.
- End with the top 5 questions you would ask me before executing.

Give me multiple expert perspectives on why my embedded software team is always late with releases.
Simulate a panel discussion with the following experts. Assume each is very confident in their knowledge and abilities:

Expert 1: DevOps Architect with expertise in embedded CI/CD design, workflow automation, and toolchain performance
Expert 2: Firmware Engineering Manager with expertise in real-time systems development, hardware–software integration, and embedded delivery execution
Expert 3: Firmware developer with expertise in C, compilers, and the hardware on which this team is developing.
Expert 4: Tech startup CEO with a career history and expertise in hardware (IC and PCB) development and test.
Expert 5: VP of Software with expertise in developing and delivering pure software products.

Have each expert:
- State their credentials and perspective
- Analyze the problem from their viewpoint
- Propose their solution
- Respond to other experts' viewpoints
- Find common ground and reach consensus or explain disagreements

Format as:
DevOps Architect: [response]

You are a tireless researcher and excellent at fact-checking.

Thoroughly fact-check the text I provide below. Analyze every factual claim, statistic, date, name, technical specification, and verifiable statement.

Your response should only include a "fact-check list" section with:

**Claims that should be verified:**
1. [Specific factual claim 1]
2. [Specific factual claim 2]
N. [More...]

**Information to double-check:**
- [Statistics or data points]
- [Dates or timeframes]
- [Technical specifications]

**Questionable claims or potentially inaccurate:**
- [List claims that seem false or dubious]
- [Include contradictions within the text]
- [Note implausible statements]

**Vague or misleading statements:**
- [Statements that lack specificity]
- [Claims that need sources or context]

**Confidence levels:**
- High confidence: [Claims you're very sure about]
- Medium confidence: [Claims that might need verification]
- Low confidence: [Claims you're uncertain about]

--
Text to fact-check: [PASTE YOUR TEXT HERE]

You are a tireless researcher and excellent at fact-checking.

Thoroughly fact-check the text I provide below. Analyze every factual claim, statistic, date, name, technical specification, and verifiable statement.

Your response should only include a "fact-check list" section with:

**Claims that should be verified:**
1. [Specific factual claim 1]
2. [Specific factual claim 2]
N. [More...]

**Information to double-check:**
- [Statistics or data points]
- [Dates or timeframes]
- [Technical specifications]

**Questionable claims or potentially inaccurate:**
- [List claims that seem false or dubious]
- [Include contradictions within the text]
- [Note implausible statements]

**Vague or misleading statements:**
- [Statements that lack specificity]
- [Claims that need sources or context]

**Confidence levels:**
- High confidence: [Claims you're very sure about]
- Medium confidence: [Claims that might need verification]
- Low confidence: [Claims you're uncertain about]

--
Text to fact-check: OpenAI released GPT-5 in early 2023 with a trillion-parameter architecture using a mixture-of-experts design similar to Google’s Switch Transformer. The model was trained entirely on publicly available datasets totaling 10 trillion tokens. GPT-5 can pass the U.S. Bar Exam with a perfect score and is certified by the American Medical Association for clinical-grade diagnostic recommendations. The system also runs entirely on consumer-grade GPUs like the NVIDIA RTX 3080, thanks to its new low-precision compute scheme.

You are an expert in [the genre for your objective] and you are an experienced teacher who understands how to translate complex concepts into meaningful information for your audience.

Create a step-by-step guide to accomplish [specific goal].

Structure your response as:

**Requirements:**
[List what's needed]

**Preparation:**
[Setup steps]

**Instructions:**
[Step 1 with specific actions]
[Step 2 with specific actions]
[Continue...]

**Troubleshooting:**
Common issues and solutions

**Variations:**
Alternative approaches

Goal: [Your specific objective]

You are an expert in fitness coaching and habit building and you are an experienced teacher who understands how to translate complex concepts into meaningful information for your audience.

Create a step-by-step guide to accomplish training for a 5K in 8 weeks as a beginner.

Structure your response as:

**Requirements:**
- I can train 3 days per week
- I have knee sensitivity
- I want sessions under 35 minutes
- I want a plan I can print

**Preparation:**
- How to pick training days
- How to warm up and cool down
- How to handle sore knees safely

**Instructions:**
- Week-by-week schedule with specific workouts
- Clear rest days and recovery guidance
- How to progress each week

**Troubleshooting:**
Common issues and solutions

**Variations:**
Alternative approaches

Goal: Train for a 5K in 8 weeks as a beginner.

You are an expert in DevOps and cloud computing and you are an experienced teacher who understands how to translate complex concepts into meaningful information for your audience.

Create a step-by-step guide to set up a GitLab pipeline that runs on AWS.

Structure your response as:

**Requirements:**
- I'm a software developer so you can use software terminology
- The runner in AWS must prioritize cost efficiency over speed of completion
- We're building with ARM gcc and make

**Preparation:**
- What do I need?
- What might cost money?

**Instructions:**
- Make the procedure for a "Hello, world" application.
- You make the application

**Troubleshooting:**
Common issues and solutions

**Variations:**
Alternative approaches

Goal: Kick off a GitLab CI pipeline that builds our "hello, world" application in an AWS runner with ARM gcc and make.

You are an expert at government processes and an experienced liaison between the system and clients trying to navigate those processes. 

I need help navigating the government process for [what are you trying to do].

Give me practical, step-by-step guidance. In addition, explain how the system works at a high level, and list the potential pitfalls that I must look out for.

Use plain language and keep the instructions direct.

Here are my details:

- Who am I: [Your demographics, title, or anything relevant to this process]
- Goal: [What I’m trying to achieve]
- Agency or System: [If known]
- Jurisdiction: [Country / State / City / Institution]
- Current Status: [What I’ve done so far and what’s pending]
- Constraints: [Deadlines, missing documents, budget limits, prior mistakes, legal issues, etc.]
- Who else is involved: [Agencies, employers, lawyers, dependents, contractors]
- Dates and Deadlines: [Known or approximate]
- Special Factors: [Military service, disability, immigration category, business type, dependents, prior visas, property type, etc.]

What I want from you: 
1. A simple overview of how this system works 
2. A numbered action plan for my situation 
3. All required forms, documents, IDs, and evidence 
4. Expected fees 
5. Key decision points and bottlenecks 
6. Common mistakes and pitfalls and how to avoid them 
7. A realistic timeline with estimated durations 
8. Questions the agency is likely to ask me 
9. A script for calling or emailing the agency 
10. A backup plan if the main path stalls 
11. Any ways to speed up or optimize the process 
12. Any missing inputs you need—list them clearly 
13. The most important person (title or position) that I should contact who can act like an advocate for me if I need one. 
14. Which is my best approach for completing this process successfully: 1) online, 2) make a phone call, 3) show up in person to an office. 
15. Ask me to upload any relevant documents to you to help find the solution

Keep it practical and focused on real-world steps.

You are an expert at government processes and an experienced liaison between the system and clients trying to navigate those processes. 

I need help navigating the government process for opening my own auto mechanic's business.

Give me practical, step-by-step guidance. In addition, explain how the system works at a high level, and list the potential pitfalls that I must look out for.

Use plain language and keep the instructions direct.

Here are my details:
- Who am I: Mid-30's mechanic looking to leave my current employment to start my own - business. 
- Goal: I want to open my own garage at my house and ensure that I have everything I need to do it legally. 
- Agency or System: I don't know which agency matters. 
- Jurisdiction: Berks county, PA
- Current Status: I need to understand if I can open this business at my house and what I need to do to make it happen. 
- Constraints: the address is 548 Bertolet Mill rd, oley, pa. 
- Who else is involved: I don't know
- Dates and Deadlines: Want to be up and running in 2 months. 
- Special Factors: I may employ others at some point, but not right away

What I want from you: 
1. A simple overview of how this system works 
2. A numbered action plan for my situation 
3. All required forms, documents, IDs, and evidence 
4. Expected fees 
5. Key decision points and bottlenecks 
6. Common mistakes and pitfalls and how to avoid them 
7. A realistic timeline with estimated durations 
8. Questions the agency is likely to ask me 
9. A script for calling or emailing the agency 
10. A backup plan if the main path stalls 
11. Any ways to speed up or optimize the process 
12. Any missing inputs you need—list them clearly 
13. The most important person (title or position) that I should contact who can act like an advocate for me if I need one. 
14. Which is my best approach for completing this process successfully: 1) online, 2) make a phone call, 3) show up in person to an office. 
15. Ask me to upload any relevant documents to you to help find the solution

Keep it practical and focused on real-world steps.

You are an experienced teacher, guide, and interviewer in the field of [name the field].
Please conduct an interview/test/conversation preparation session for [the role/exam/topic/problem] with me. You are helping me practice for this event.

Do the following:
1. Ask me to provide the relevant materials for this interview (resume, job description, study materials, any historical information, etc)
2. Review these materials and identify the areas of focus
3. Create a structured practice session with:
   - [X] questions of varying difficulty levels
   - Follow-up questions based on my responses
   - Real-time feedback on my answers
4. After each response, briefly indicate if I should expand, clarify, or move on
5. End with a summary of strengths and areas for improvement

Type of preparation: [job interview/certification exam/academic test/etc.]
Focus area: [specific role, subject, or skill]
Please start by asking for my materials.

You are an experienced teacher, guide, and interviewer in the field of recruiting and hiring.

Please conduct an interview/test/conversation preparation session for a job interview with me. You are helping me practice for this event. 

Do the following:
1. Ask me to provide the relevant materials for this interview (resume, job description, study materials, any historical information, etc)
2. Review these materials and identify the areas of focus
3. Create a structured practice session with:  
  - [X] questions of varying difficulty levels  
  - Follow-up questions based on my responses  
  - Real-time feedback on my answers
4. After each response, briefly indicate if I should expand, clarify, or move on
5. End with a summary of strengths and areas for improvement

Type of preparation: job interview

Focus area: Engineering and Product Leadership

Please start by asking for my materials.

You are an earnest worker and excellent at following directions. Your goal is always to give me exactly what I ask for. Do not make stuff up. Rather, ask me questions if you run across any ambiguity.

I am providing a specific template for your output. This template includes bracketed [CAPITAL WORDS] as placeholders for the content you are to generate. Fit your response into these placeholders and follow the template's style and formatting.

Here is the output template:
Your template with [PLACEHOLDERS].

Apply this template to: [Your request]

You are an earnest worker and excellent at following directions.

I am providing a specific template for your output.
Use placeholders and follow the template's style and formatting.

Here is the output template:
Decision: [DECISION]
Top Options (3):
  1. [OPTION_1] — Pros: [PROS_1] | Cons: [CONS_1] | Cost: [COST_1]
  2. [OPTION_2] — Pros: [PROS_2] | Cons: [CONS_2] | Cost: [COST_2]
  3. [OPTION_3] — Pros: [PROS_3] | Cons: [CONS_3] | Cost: [COST_3]
Recommendation: [RECOMMENDATION]
Why: [WHY]
Questions I still need from you: [QUESTIONS]

Apply this template to:
Help me choose a laptop for basic work and light photo editing. Budget is $1500. I prefer Windows. I travel often.

You are an earnest worker and excellent at following directions. Your goal is always to give me exactly what I ask for. Do not make stuff up. Rather, ask me questions if you run across any ambiguity.

I am providing a specific template for your output. This template includes bracketed [CAPITAL WORDS] as placeholders for the content you are to generate. Fit your response into these placeholders and follow the template's style and formatting.

Here is the output template:
Target Market: [TARGET_MARKET]
Top Competitors (5):
 1. [COMPETITOR_1] — [STRENGTHS_1] / [WEAKNESSES_1]
 2. [COMPETITOR_2] — [STRENGTHS_2] / [WEAKNESSES_2]
 3. [COMPETITOR_3] — [STRENGTHS_3] / [WEAKNESSES_3]
 4. [COMPETITOR_4] — [STRENGTHS_4] / [WEAKNESSES_4]
 5. [COMPETITOR_5] — [STRENGTHS_5] / [WEAKNESSES_5]

Market Differentiators:
- [DIFFERENTIATOR_1]
- [DIFFERENTIATOR_2]
- [DIFFERENTIATOR_3]

Opportunity Gaps Identified: [GAPS]

Apply this template to:
Map the competitive market landscape in the embedded DevOps tools space. I don't care about the semiconductor companies that provide DevOps tools along with their hardware solutions.
Map the strengths, weaknesses, and differentiators compared to 4TLAS's Fuze (4tlas.io/fuze).

You are an earnest worker and excellent at following directions. Your goal is always to give me exactly what I ask for. Do not make stuff up. Rather, ask me questions if you run across any ambiguity.

I am providing a specific template for your output. This template includes bracketed [CAPITAL WORDS] as placeholders for the content you are to generate. Fit your response into these placeholders and follow the template's style and formatting.

Here is the output template:
Hello [OWNER_NAME],
My name is [YOUR_NAME], and I help local trade businesses like yours—[BUSINESS_NAME]—optimize their taxes and reduce stress during filing season.
Based on your work in [TRADE_TYPE], you may qualify for:
 1. [DEDUCTION_1]
 2. [DEDUCTION_2]
 3. [DEDUCTION_3]
If you want me to run a free deduction review, just reply to this email.
Best regards,
[YOUR_NAME]

Apply this template to:
Generate a sales email for all trade-like businesses (landscaping, roofing, contracting, etc) in the local geographic area, and create an email that is advertising our tax prep services specializing in sole-proprietor trade businesses.