Prompt library

Prompts you can copy and use

Ready-to-use prompts for everyday tasks. Paste one into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok or any chat AI, then fill in the parts in [brackets].

Guides V8

These prompts follow the Goal, Context, Task, Format and Limits recipe on the Prompting page. They work in any chat AI. Answers vary by bot, so check facts before you use them. Don’t paste passwords or private details.

Pick a task

Writing

Make my writing clearer

Here's something I wrote: [paste text]. Please make it clearer and easier to read, but keep my voice and meaning. Keep it about the same length. After that, list the 3 biggest changes you made and why.

Ask for the list of changes so you can learn from the edits.

Write a thank-you note

Help me write a short, warm thank-you note to [name] for [what they did]. They're my [relationship]. Keep it under 100 words, sincere and not over the top. Give me two versions so I can pick one.

Add one specific detail and it will sound more like you.

Shorten this

Cut this down to about [number] words without losing the main points: [paste text]. Keep the tone the same.

Proofread only

Proofread this for spelling, grammar and punctuation only. Don't change my wording or style. Show me each fix as a list: original, then corrected. Text: [paste text]

Saying "don't change my wording" stops it from rewriting everything.

Email

Reply politely but firmly

I got this email: [paste email]. Help me write a polite but firm reply saying [your answer, e.g. I can't do it by Friday, but I can by Tuesday]. Keep it short and friendly, with no apologizing more than once.

Follow up on no reply

I emailed [who] about [topic] on [date] and haven't heard back. Write a short, friendly follow-up that doesn't sound pushy and makes it easy for them to answer. Under 80 words.

Summarize a long email thread

Here's a long email thread: [paste]. Summarize it in 5 bullet points: what was decided, what's still open, and who owes what to whom. Then tell me if anything needs a reply from me.

Remove phone numbers or account details before pasting.

Research

Explain a topic, then check it

Explain [topic] to me in plain English, like I'm a smart beginner. Use one everyday example. Then list 3 reliable places where I could check these facts myself.

AI can be wrong. Check anything important at the original source.

Compare two options

I'm deciding between [option A] and [option B] for [purpose]. Make a simple table comparing cost, pros, cons and who each one is best for. Then ask me 2 questions that would help you give a recommendation.

Letting it ask you questions usually gets a better answer.

Find what I'm missing

Here's what I know so far about [topic]: [notes]. What important questions am I not asking? List 5, and say briefly why each one matters.

Planning

Plan my week

Here are my tasks for the week: [list]. I have about [hours] free each day, and [any fixed appointments]. Put them in a realistic day-by-day plan, with the most important things first, and leave some breathing room.

Plan a trip

Help me plan a [number]-day trip to [place] in [month] for [who's going]. We like [interests] and want a [relaxed / busy] pace, with a budget of about [amount]. Give me a day-by-day outline with a few options each day.

Check opening hours and prices on the official sites before you book.

Break a big job into steps

I want to [goal, e.g. clean out the garage]. Break it into small steps I can do in 30 minutes or less, in a sensible order, and tell me what supplies I'll need.

Learning

Teach me step by step

I want to learn [skill or subject]. I'm a complete beginner. Teach me one small piece at a time, and after each piece, ask me a quick question to check that I understood before moving on.

This turns the chat into a patient tutor.

Quiz me

Quiz me on [topic] with 5 multiple-choice questions, one at a time. Wait for my answer, then tell me if I'm right and explain why.

Explain this document

Explain this in plain English: [paste text, e.g. a letter or instructions]. What does it mean for me, and is there anything I need to do?

For medical, legal or money papers, use this to prepare questions for a professional, not to replace one.

Small business

Write a product description

Write a product description for [product] for my [type of business]. My customers are [who]. Mention [key features]. Keep it friendly and under 120 words, with no exaggerated claims.

Respond to a customer review

A customer left this review: [paste]. Write a calm, professional reply that thanks them, addresses their concern, and invites them to contact us at [how]. Don't be defensive.

Social media post ideas

Give me 10 social media post ideas for my [business] for the next month. Mix tips, behind-the-scenes and offers. For each one, write a one-line caption.

Draft a simple policy

Draft a short, plain-English [return / refund / cancellation] policy for my [business]. We [key rules]. Keep it under 150 words and easy for customers to understand.

Have someone qualified review anything with legal weight.

Coding basics

Explain this code

I'm new to coding. Explain what this code does, line by line, in plain English: [paste code]

Fix an error

I'm getting this error: [paste error]. Here's my code: [paste code]. Explain what's causing it in simple terms, then show the fixed code and what you changed.

Never paste passwords or API keys into a chat.

Write a simple spreadsheet formula

In [Excel / Google Sheets], I have [describe columns]. Write a formula that [what you want, e.g. adds up column C when column A says Paid]. Explain how it works.

Automate a small task

I'd like to automate [task] on my [Windows / Mac] computer. I'm a beginner. Suggest the simplest way, with step-by-step instructions and any code fully explained.

Compare two things (added Oct 16, 2026)

Glitch Hunter

When to use: When one system works and an almost identical one doesn’t: two routers, servers, apps or config files. For programmers and technicians.

I support two systems. One works and one has a problem. Compare them and help me find the cause.
WORKING: [paste config, code, settings, or log from the good system]
BROKEN: [paste the same from the problem system]
SYMPTOM: [what's going wrong, error messages, when it started]
1. List every difference in a table: Setting/Line, Working value, Broken value. Only include lines that differ.
2. Rank the differences by how likely each is to cause the symptom, and say why.
3. Ignore harmless differences (timestamps, hostnames, serials) but list them separately.
4. Tell me what to change or test first, step by step, and how to confirm it worked.
5. Say what you couldn't see in what I pasted (other settings, versions, the other end of a link) and what to check next if the first fix doesn't work.
(Remove passwords, keys, and customer info before pasting.)

Paste the same kind of file from both systems. Remove passwords, keys and customer info first.

See a worked example

Example (fictional sample data)

Symptom: Office B’s PCs get a 169.254.x.x address and can’t reach anything. Started after Monday’s switch swap.

WORKING (Office A)            BROKEN (Office B)
hostname sw-office-a          hostname sw-office-b
interface Gi0/1               interface Gi0/1
 switchport access vlan 20     switchport access vlan 20
interface Gi0/24              interface Gi0/24
 switchport trunk allowed      switchport trunk allowed
   vlan 10,20,30                 vlan 10,30
ip name-server 10.0.0.53      ip name-server 10.0.0.53
! built 2026-09-01 08:14      ! built 2026-10-12 17:40

Short example of the answer

Setting/Line	Working value	Broken value	Likely cause?
Gi0/24 trunk allowed VLANs	10,20,30	10,30	Most likely. PCs are on VLAN 20, which isn’t carried to the router, so traffic stops at the switch.
hostname	sw-office-a	sw-office-b	Harmless (listed separately)
build comment	2026-09-01	2026-10-12	Harmless (timestamp)

Test first: add VLAN 20 to the trunk on Gi0/24, then renew the PC’s address and check it gets a normal IP and can reach its gateway.

What it couldn’t see: the upstream switch’s trunk, DHCP snooping or port-security settings. If adding VLAN 20 doesn’t fix it, check those next.

Deal Detective

When to use: When you’re choosing between any two (or more) products or services: TVs, cars, phone plans, contractor quotes, or your current insurance policy and a proposed one.

Compare these options side by side and help me decide.
WHAT I'M COMPARING: [e.g. 65" TV, homeowners insurance, cell phone plan, car, contractor quote]
OPTION A: [paste specs, quote, plan details, or current policy]
OPTION B: [paste specs, quote, plan details, or proposed policy]
(add more options if needed)
WHAT MATTERS TO ME: [budget, must-haves, how I'll use it]
Please:
1. Key terms: list the technologies, features or terms that matter most for this kind of product or service, and explain each in one plain-English sentence.
2. Comparison table: one row per difference that matters (price and total cost, features, technology, coverage, limits, deductibles, fees, contract terms, warranty), one column per option, plus a "Why it matters" column.
3. Types explained: for each technology or option type that appears (for example OLED vs Mini-LED, replacement cost vs actual cash value, unlimited vs capped data), give 2-3 advantages, 2-3 disadvantages, and who it's best for.
4. Red flags: point out anything missing, hidden, or worse in one option: fine print, exclusions, fees, lower limits, short warranties, price increases after a promo.
5. Pros and cons of each option, then your pick for my needs and why.
6. Questions I should ask the seller or agent before I decide.
7. What you couldn't verify: anything not in what I pasted, or that I should confirm (prices, fine print, availability).
Keep it plain and factual. Show your math for total cost over the time I care about, using only numbers I gave (list estimates separately), and double-check the totals. Don't invent details that aren't in my options: if something isn't stated (like taxes or coverage area), write "not stated" instead of guessing, and mark general knowledge as general.

For insurance: AI can miss fine print. Use this to find questions, then confirm coverage, limits and exclusions with your agent before you switch.

See a worked example

Tested Oct 16, 2026 on TVs, homeowners quotes and phone plans. A real answer has all seven parts: key terms, a comparison table with “Why it matters”, technology or option types explained, red flags, pros and cons with a pick, questions to ask, and what the AI couldn’t verify. The examples below are shortened.

Example 1: three 65" TVs (fictional models and prices)

What matters to me: about $1,200 max, a bright living room in the day, movies at night, a game console.

What matters	TV A (Lumora X1)	TV B (Brightline M8)	TV C (Valeo E5)	Why it matters
Price	$1,199	$999	$549	C is half the price of A.
Panel type	OLED	Mini-LED (QLED)	LED (QLED)	OLED pixels make their own light: perfect blacks, best in dark rooms. LED/QLED and Mini-LED use a backlight: usually brighter. RGB Mini-LED (or RGB LED) uses red, green and blue backlights for richer color, mostly in pricier sets.
Backlight	None (self-lit)	Full-array local dimming, 1,200 zones	Edge-lit, no local dimming	More dimming zones means deeper blacks and less glow around bright objects. Edge-lit is cheaper but less even, with weaker contrast.
Screen coating	Glossy, anti-reflective	Matte anti-glare	Glossy	Anti-glare coatings help in bright rooms with windows; glossy screens can show reflections.
Peak brightness	About 1,000 nits	About 2,500 nits	About 400 nits	Higher nits help with daytime viewing and make HDR highlights pop.
Refresh rate	120 Hz, VRR	144 Hz, VRR	60 Hz, no VRR	120 Hz+ and VRR (variable refresh rate) make games and sports smoother; consoles can use 120 Hz.
HDR formats	Dolby Vision, HDR10	HDR10+, HDR10 (no Dolby Vision)	HDR10	Streaming services use different formats; if your favorite apps use Dolby Vision, a set without it falls back to basic HDR10.
Viewing angle	Wide	Fair, fades off to the side	Narrow	Matters if people sit far to the side of the screen.
Burn-in risk	Small (static logos, game HUDs over long periods)	Very low	Very low	OLED can keep a faint ghost of images left on screen for many hours; modern sets reduce this.
Warranty	2 years	1 year	1 year	Check whether burn-in is covered.

Short pick: for your bright room and console, TV B gives the most brightness and anti-glare for the money. Choose TV A if you mostly watch at night and want the best blacks. TV C fits a small budget or a spare room. Ask the seller: Does the warranty cover burn-in on TV A? Is the return window the same for all three?

TV technology pros and cons

General traits; individual models vary, so check reviews and specs for the exact set.

Technology	Advantages	Disadvantages	Best for
OLED	Perfect blacks and contrast (each pixel makes its own light) wide viewing angles very fast response for motion and games	Usually not as bright as top LED sets small risk of burn-in from static images over long periods costs more at large sizes	Dark-room movies, gaming
QD-OLED	OLED blacks plus brighter, more saturated color from a quantum-dot layer wide viewing angles	Costs more same small burn-in risk as OLED in bright rooms, blacks can look slightly gray on some models	Dark-room movies, mixed rooms, gaming
LED/LCD	Lowest price no burn-in wide range of sizes	Weaker contrast and grayer blacks viewing angles can be narrow HDR is often limited	Budget, spare rooms, everyday TV
QLED	Brighter, richer color than basic LED (quantum-dot layer) no burn-in good for bright rooms	Still an LCD with a backlight, so blacks depend on the backlight quality varies a lot by model	Bright rooms, mid-range budgets
Mini-LED	Thousands of tiny backlight LEDs allow many dimming zones: deep blacks for an LCD very bright HDR no burn-in	Some glow (blooming) around bright objects on dark backgrounds thicker than OLED viewing angles can be narrower	Bright rooms, HDR movies and sports, gaming
RGB Mini-LED / RGB LED	Red, green and blue backlight LEDs for a wider, richer color range high brightness no burn-in	Newer and more expensive few models so far still can show some blooming	Bright rooms, color-focused viewers with a bigger budget
Edge-lit backlight	Cheaper thinner sets	Less even lighting (brighter edges, clouding) weak local dimming or none weaker contrast	Budget, daytime TV
Full-array local dimming (FALD)	LEDs behind the whole screen dim in zones for better contrast more even picture better HDR	Costs more quality depends on the number of zones and processing possible blooming	Movies, HDR, mixed rooms
Anti-glare / matte coating	Cuts reflections from windows and lamps easier daytime viewing	Can slightly soften the image or lift blacks not offered on every model	Bright rooms
High refresh rate (120/144 Hz) and VRR	Smoother motion for sports and games VRR prevents screen tearing and stutter with consoles and PCs	Only helps when the source sends high frame rates often only on some HDMI ports costs more	Gaming, sports
HDR formats (Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10)	Dolby Vision and HDR10+ adjust the picture scene by scene HDR10 is supported almost everywhere	Not every TV supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ a TV without your app’s format falls back to basic HDR10 HDR looks best on bright, high-contrast screens	Movie and streaming fans: check which formats your apps and TV both support

Example 2: current vs proposed homeowners policy (fictional sample data)

Coverage	Current policy	Proposed policy	Flag
Yearly premium	$2,140	$1,780	Proposed saves $360
Dwelling limit	$420,000	$420,000	Same
Wind/hail deductible	1% ($4,200)	2% ($8,400)	Gap: you’d pay $4,200 more after a hail claim
Water backup	$10,000	Not included	Gap: missing coverage
Roof payout	Replacement cost	Actual cash value (depreciated)	Lower: an older roof pays much less

Ask the agent: can water backup be added back, and what would the premium be with a 1% wind/hail deductible?