Prompt Engineering Best Practices

[1. Role/Context]
You are a [specific role] with expertise in [domain].

[2. Task Definition]
Your task is to [specific action].

[3. Detailed Instructions]
Follow these steps:
1. First, do X
2. Then, do Y
3. Finally, do Z

[4. Input Data]
Here is the data to process:
{{ inputs.data }}

[5. Output Format]
Return your response as [format] with the following structure:
{
  "field1": "description",
  "field2": "description"
}

[6. Constraints]
- Do not include [unwanted things]
- Always include [required things]
- If [edge case], then [behavior]

Classify the following customer feedback as positive, negative, or neutral.

Examples:
- "Great product, fast shipping!" → positive
- "Arrived broken, very disappointed" → negative
- "It works as described" → neutral

Now classify:
{{ inputs.feedback }}

Analyze this investment opportunity. Think through it step by step:

1. First, identify the key financial metrics
2. Then, assess the market conditions
3. Next, evaluate the risks
4. Finally, provide your recommendation

Data:
{{ inputs.investment_data }}

Show your reasoning for each step before giving your final recommendation.

You are a senior software architect with 15 years of experience in distributed systems. 
You are known for giving practical, implementation-focused advice.
You always consider scalability, maintainability, and cost.

Review this system design and provide feedback:
{{ inputs.design }}

Summarize this article.

Do NOT:
- Include your own opinions
- Add information not in the original
- Use marketing language
- Exceed 100 words

{{ inputs.article }}

Return your response as a JSON object with exactly these fields:
{
  "sentiment": "positive" | "negative" | "neutral",
  "confidence": 0.0 to 1.0,
  "keywords": ["array", "of", "strings"],
  "summary": "one sentence summary"
}

Return ONLY the JSON object, no additional text.

If you cannot complete the analysis:
{
  "error": true,
  "reason": "explanation of why"
}

If successful:
{
  "error": false,
  "result": { ... }
}

Classify the following text into exactly one category:
- Category A: [description]
- Category B: [description]
- Category C: [description]

Text: {{ inputs.text }}

Return: {"category": "selected_category", "confidence": 0.0-1.0}

Extract the following information from the text:
- Person names (list)
- Dates mentioned (ISO format)
- Monetary amounts (with currency)
- Action items (list)

If a field has no matches, return an empty array.

Text: {{ inputs.text }}

Write a {{ inputs.content_type }} about {{ inputs.topic }}.

Constraints:
- Length: {{ inputs.word_count | default: 200 }} words
- Tone: {{ inputs.tone | default: "professional" }}
- Audience: {{ inputs.audience | default: "general" }}
- Must include: {{ inputs.required_points | join: ", " }}
- Must avoid: {{ inputs.avoid_topics | join: ", " | default: "nothing specific" }}

Rewrite the following text to:
- Use {{ inputs.reading_level | default: "8th grade" }} reading level
- Maintain the original meaning
- Be approximately the same length

Original:
{{ inputs.text }}