Prompt library

Keep responses short and direct. Don't open with "Here is..." or close with a summary paragraph. Use British English throughout. Treat me as someone who'd rather be challenged than agreed with by default.

I'm a [your role] working in [your field]. Assume I have expert knowledge in [areas you know well] and beginner knowledge in [areas you don't]. Match your explanations to that — don't over-explain in my expert areas; don't assume jargon in my beginner areas.

When I propose a plan, a decision, or an analysis, lead with what's weakest about it before you tell me what works. For anything substantive — analysis, recommendations, decisions — separate facts from judgements and assumptions, give your reasoning for judgements, and flag where you're uncertain. For casual or quick requests, skip this and just answer.

Never use analogies unless I ask for one. Never write "in conclusion" or "in summary" — just stop. Never pad responses with reminders of what we just discussed. If you're uncertain, say so plainly — don't hedge with "it depends" without explaining what it depends on.

I'm applying for [role] at [company]. My relevant experience is [2–3 sentences about what you've done]. The job listing emphasises [key requirements from the listing]. My strongest fit is [your best match]. My biggest gap is [where you're weaker]. Help me write a cover letter that leads with my strengths and is honest about the gap without apologising for it. Challenge my thinking first — tell me if my assessment of the gap is wrong.

I need to write an email to [who] about [what]. The situation is [2–3 sentences: what happened, why it's delicate, what you want to achieve]. The relationship matters to me — I don't want to damage it, but I also need to [specific outcome]. Draft an email that is direct but not aggressive. Flag anything in my framing that could backfire.

I want to write a [length]-word piece about [topic] for [audience]. My angle is [what makes your take different]. The key point I want to land is [one sentence]. I want the tone to be [conversational / formal / provocative / etc.]. Write a first draft, but before you do, tell me if my angle is strong enough or if there's a better way in.

I want to understand [topic]. I know almost nothing about it. My reason for learning is [why it matters to you — work, personal interest, upcoming decision]. Don't give me a textbook overview. Start with the three things I need to understand first, and explain why they matter before explaining how they work. Use analogies where they help. After that, tell me what most beginners waste time on so I can avoid it.

I want to get better at [skill]. Here's where I am now: [honest assessment of your current level — what you can do, what you struggle with, what feedback you've received]. I can practise for about [time] per week. Don't give me a reading list. Set me a specific exercise I can do this week and tell me what to send you afterwards so you can give me feedback.

I need to understand [document — paste it or describe it]. I'm reading it because [why it matters to you]. I'm not an expert in this field. Walk me through the main argument, then tell me: what are the three most important things this document is actually saying? What does this document actually want me to do, agree to, or understand? And what's the most important thing it doesn't say — the gap, the assumption, or the risk I should be aware of?

I need to make a decision about [what]. Here are the options I'm considering: [list them]. Here's what matters most to me: [your priorities — cost, time, risk, relationships, etc.]. Here's what I've already ruled out and why: [anything you've eliminated]. Build me a simple framework for comparing these options. Include the criteria that matter and flag any criteria I should be considering but haven't mentioned.

Here's my plan: [describe it in 3–5 sentences — what you're doing, the timeline, what you're depending on]. I think the main risks are [your assessment]. Tell me what I'm missing. What are the risks I haven't thought of? For each risk, give me a rough sense of how likely it is and how bad it would be — but stay qualitative. Don't invent numbers. If you're guessing, say so. I want honest assessment, not false precision. And tell me what I could do to reduce each risk.

I want to [project goal]. Here's my situation: I have [time available per week], a budget of [amount or "as little as possible"], and I need it done by [deadline]. I've never done this before. Break this into phases — what do I do first, what comes next, and what can wait. Be realistic about the timeline. If my deadline is unrealistic, say so and tell me what would be achievable.

I'm planning [event] for [number] people. Budget is [amount]. Date is [when]. Location is [where or "I need suggestions"]. The most important thing is [what matters most — atmosphere, food, cost, accessibility, etc.]. The thing I most want to avoid is [your worst-case scenario]. What do I need to decide first, and in what order?

I need to understand [topic] well enough to [specific purpose — make a decision, have an informed conversation, write about it, evaluate a proposal]. I currently know almost nothing. Give me the landscape in plain language: what are the main positions or approaches, where do experts disagree, and what would a well-informed non-expert need to know? Don't assume I know any terminology — explain it as you go.

I've been told that [claim]. It sounds plausible but I'm not sure it's right. Check this for me. Is it accurate, partly true, outdated, or wrong? If it's partly true, explain what's right and what's misleading. If it's wrong, tell me what the actual situation is. Either way, point me to specific sources where I could verify this — names, publications, or URLs, not just 'do your own research' — and tell me how recent your information is.

I'm trying to decide whether to [career choice — accept an offer, leave a job, change direction, pursue training, etc.]. Here's my situation: [current role, how long you've been there, what's good about it, what isn't]. Here's what's pulling me toward the change: [what attracts you]. Here's what's holding me back: [fears, risks, unknowns]. I want you to help me think through this — not make the decision for me. Challenge my reasoning where it's weak. Tell me what I might be underweighting.

I'm torn between [option A] and [option B]. Here's why A appeals to me: [reasons]. Here's why B appeals to me: [reasons]. Here's what I'd give up with each: [trade-offs]. I'm finding it hard to decide because [what's making it difficult — they're close, I'm emotional about it, I keep changing my mind]. Help me think through this clearly. Don't tell me which to pick — help me figure out what I actually value most.

I need ideas for [what]. My constraints are: [budget, time, audience, format, tone, etc.]. I've already considered [what you've thought of so far]. Give me ten ideas I haven't thought of — and for each one, tell me why it might work and what the main risk is. Don't give me safe, obvious suggestions. I want at least three that surprise me.

I need a name for [what — business, project, product, event, pet, etc.]. Here's what it is: [brief description]. Here's the feeling I want the name to convey: [tone, personality, associations]. Here's what I want to avoid: [names that sound like X, associations I don't want, things that are already taken]. Give me fifteen options across a range — some safe, some unusual, some that I'd never think of myself. For each, tell me in one sentence why it works.