You've built custom AI assistants, but are they truly effective? The secret lies in writing clear system prompts using a structured approach.
Great system prompts follow a simple format that ensures your AI understands exactly what development task to tackle.
Engagement Message
Have you noticed your custom AI sometimes producing code that misses the mark on your specific requirements?
Start every system prompt with a section called # ASK - this tells your AI exactly what development task you need it to perform.
Be specific and actionable. Instead of "help with coding," write "Generate unit tests for a user authentication service with edge case validation."
Engagement Message
What's one specific development task you'd want your custom AI to handle flawlessly?
Next comes the # CONTEXT section - this gives your AI the technical background it needs to code effectively.
Include project details, tech stack, architecture patterns, and existing codebase structure. Think of it as onboarding a new developer.
Engagement Message
What technical context would be essential for an AI working on your current project?
Also you usually want to add a # CONSTRAINTS section to set coding standards and technical rules your AI must follow. This prevents bugs and ensures code quality.
Include style guides, performance requirements, security protocols, and framework limitations. Clear boundaries create cleaner code.
Engagement Message
What coding constraints would be non-negotiable for AI contributing to your codebase?
