Prompt Templates

Copy-paste prompt templates for common tasks. Each template has placeholders you fill in.

Templates

How to use

1. Copy the prompt
2. Replace [BRACKETED] placeholders with your specifics
3. Paste into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini
4. Iterate based on the response

Related

• Prompt Library — 200+ prompts by audience
• Skills: Writing Effective Prompts — the craft behind good prompts
• Cheat Sheets: Prompt Formula Cards — the 5-part formula

Last reviewed: 2026-08

Daily Planning Prompts

Copy-paste prompts for planning your day, week, and projects.

Morning planning (10 minutes)

Help me plan my day.

Context:
- Today is [DAY OF WEEK]
- Energy level: [LOW/MEDIUM/HIGH]
- Mood: [DESCRIBE]
- Meetings: [LIST with times]
- Hard deadlines: [LIST]
- What I'd like to accomplish: [BRAIN DUMP]

Help me:
1. Identify the 3 highest-leverage tasks (Pareto principle)
2. Identify what to delegate, defer, or delete
3. Time-block my calendar (match energy to task type)
4. Build in 1 hour of deep work
5. Build in 30 min for inbox/Slack
6. Plan lunch and 2 breaks
7. Set 1 intention for the day

Output as a table with time blocks.

Weekly planning (Sunday, 30 minutes)

Help me plan my week.

Context:
- This week's goals: [LIST 3-5]
- Recurring commitments: [LIST]
- Energy pattern: [MORNING/AFTERNOON/EVENING person]
- Last week's wins: [LIST]
- Last week's misses: [LIST]

Help me:
1. Identify top 3 priorities (not 10)
2. Time-block deep work sessions
3. Plan buffer time for unexpected tasks
4. Identify what to say NO to
5. Plan rest and recovery (when?)
6. Plan 1 thing just for me (hobby, exercise, family)
7. Set weekly review for Friday afternoon

Output as a day-by-day table.

Project breakdown

I need to complete: [PROJECT]

Time available: [DURATION]
My role: [DESCRIBE]
My resources: [DESCRIBE]
My constraints: [DESCRIBE]
What's blocking me: [DESCRIBE OR 'NOTHING']

Help me:
1. Define what "done" looks like (specific, measurable)
2. Break the project into 5-7 milestones
3. For the first milestone, break into daily tasks
4. Identify what I can delegate/outsource
5. Identify what I should skip entirely
6. Plan check-in points (when to reassess)
7. Predict 3 things that could go wrong, with mitigation

Prioritization (when everything feels urgent)

I have too many things to do. Help me prioritize.

My task list:
[PASTE 10-20 TASKS]

For each task, help me assess:
1. Impact (low/medium/high — what happens if I do/don't do it?)
2. Urgency (when does it actually need to be done?)
3. Effort (how long will it take?)
4. Reversibility (can I undo it later?)

Then help me:
1. Identify the 3 tasks that matter most
2. Identify tasks I can delegate, defer, or delete
3. Sequence the top 3 in order
4. Plan when to revisit the deferred tasks

Format as a table.

Decision making

I need to decide between:
[OPTION A] vs [OPTION B]

Context:
- What I'm deciding: [DESCRIBE]
- Why I'm deciding now: [DESCRIBE]
- My criteria: [LIST what matters to me]
- My constraints: [LIST what limits me]
- My gut says: [A/B/UNSURE]

Help me:
1. Frame the decision clearly (what am I really deciding?)
2. List pros and cons of each option
3. Apply the 10/10/10 rule (how will I feel in 10 min, 10 months, 10 years?)
4. Apply regret minimization (which would I regret more?)
5. Identify what info I'm missing
6. Identify the reversibility of each option
7. Make a recommendation (but I'll decide)

Don't make the decision for me — help me think clearly.

End-of-day review

Help me review my day.

What I planned to do:
[PASTE MORNING PLAN]

What actually happened:
[DESCRIBE — what I did, what I didn't]

Help me:
1. Celebrate what I accomplished (don't skip this)
2. Understand what I didn't get to (and why)
3. Identify one thing I learned today
4. Identify one thing I'm grateful for
5. Identify one thing to do differently tomorrow
6. Identify anything I should let go of (mental load)

Keep it brief — 5 minutes max.

Weekly review (Friday, 20 minutes)

Help me review my week.

What I planned:
[PASTE SUNDAY PLAN]

What happened:
[DESCRIBE HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS]

Help me:
1. Celebrate wins (3 specific things)
2. Understand misses (3 specific things — without judgment)
3. What did I learn about myself?
4. What did I learn about my work?
5. What should I keep doing?
6. What should I stop doing?
7. What should I start doing?
8. Set 1-3 priorities for next week

Format as a letter to myself.

Last reviewed: 2026-08

Email Prompts

Copy-paste prompts for writing and replying to emails.

Follow-up after no response

I sent this email [DAYS] days ago and haven't received a response.

Original email:
[PASTE EMAIL]

Context:
- Recipient: [NAME, ROLE]
- My relationship: [DESCRIBE]
- What I need from them: [DESCRIBE]
- Urgency: [LOW/MEDIUM/HIGH]

Write a follow-up email that:
1. Is polite, not annoyed
2. References the original email briefly
3. Restates what I need, more concisely
4. Offers an easy out if they're not interested
5. Suggests a specific next step (call, deadline, etc.)
6. Is under 100 words

Tone: warm, professional, not desperate.

Decline a meeting

I want to decline this meeting invitation.

Meeting:
[PASTE INVITATION]

Context:
- My reason: [DESCRIBE — too many meetings, not relevant, not my role, etc.]
- Relationship with organizer: [DESCRIBE]
- Do I want to reschedule? [YES/NO]
- Do I want to contribute asynchronously? [YES/NO]

Write a decline email that:
1. Acknowledges the invitation
2. Declines clearly (no hedging)
3. Offers a brief reason (without over-explaining)
4. Suggests alternative (async input, recording, future meeting)
5. Maintains the relationship

Under 100 words.

Ask for a deadline extension

I need to ask for a deadline extension on [PROJECT/ASSIGNMENT].

Current deadline: [DATE]
Requested new deadline: [DATE]
Reason: [DESCRIBE — be honest]
What I've done so far: [DESCRIBE]
What's left: [DESCRIBE]
Recipient: [NAME, ROLE]

Write an email that:
1. States the request clearly up front
2. Explains the reason briefly (without making excuses)
3. Shows what I've already done (demonstrates effort)
4. Proposes a specific new deadline
5. Offers to discuss if needed
6. Apologizes for any inconvenience without being groveling

Tone: professional, accountable, not over-apologetic.
Under 150 words.

Apologize for a mistake

I made a mistake and need to apologize.

What happened: [DESCRIBE]
Impact on them: [DESCRIBE]
My responsibility: [OWN IT — don't deflect]
What I've done to fix it: [DESCRIBE]
What I'll do to prevent recurrence: [DESCRIBE]
Recipient: [NAME, ROLE]
Relationship: [DESCRIBE]

Write an apology email that:
1. States what happened (without excuses)
2. Acknowledges the impact
3. Takes full responsibility
4. Describes the fix
5. Describes prevention
6. Offers to discuss
7. Doesn't over-apologize (one clear apology, move on)

Tone: sincere, accountable, forward-looking.
Under 200 words.

Introduce two people

I want to introduce [PERSON A] to [PERSON B] over email.

Person A:
- Name: [NAME]
- Role/context: [DESCRIBE]
- Why they want to connect: [DESCRIBE]

Person B:
- Name: [NAME]
- Role/context: [DESCRIBE]
- Why they're being introduced: [DESCRIBE]

My relationship with each: [DESCRIBE]

Write an introduction email that:
1. Addresses both people (in TO field)
2. Explains why I'm connecting them (specifically)
3. Gives a 1-line bio of each person (so they have context)
4. Suggests next step (call, coffee, they decide)
5. Gives them an easy out
6. Keeps it under 100 words

I should be CC'd so I can bow out after they connect.

Cold outreach for networking

I want to reach out to [PERSON] for [PURPOSE — informational
interview, advice, opportunity, etc.].

About them:
- Name: [NAME]
- Role: [DESCRIBE]
- Why I'm reaching out to them specifically: [DESCRIBE — be specific]

About me:
- My situation: [DESCRIBE]
- My ask: [DESCRIBE — be specific]

Write a cold outreach email that:
1. Opens with a specific reference to their work (shows I did my homework)
2. States who I am in 1 sentence
3. Makes a specific ask (15-min call? One question? Advice?)
4. Makes it easy to say yes (specific time, short duration)
5. Makes it easy to say no (no pressure)
6. Is under 150 words

Tone: respectful, specific, not desperate.

Last reviewed: 2026-08

Meeting Notes Prompts

Copy-paste prompts for capturing and acting on meeting outcomes.

Pre-meeting prep

I have a meeting on [TOPIC] in [TIME].

Meeting type: [1:1 / TEAM / CLIENT / DECISION / UPDATE]
Attendees: [LIST]
Duration: [MINUTES]
My goal: [DESCRIBE]

Help me:
1. Identify what I want from this meeting
2. List 3-5 questions to ask
3. Anticipate 3 things others might say, with my response
4. Identify what I should NOT bring up
5. Plan the opening (30 seconds)
6. Plan the closing (next steps)
7. Suggest a 1-paragraph pre-read to send 24h before

Capture meeting notes

I just finished a meeting. Here are my rough notes:

[PASTE ROUGH NOTES OR TRANSCRIPT]

Meeting context:
- Topic: [DESCRIBE]
- Attendees: [LIST]
- Date: [DATE]
- Duration: [DURATION]

Restructure my notes into:
1. Meeting summary (1 paragraph — what was discussed)
2. Key decisions made (bullet list — be specific)
3. Action items (table: who, what, by when)
4. Open questions (what wasn't resolved)
5. Things to follow up on (who needs what info)
6. Next steps (when do we meet again, what's the agenda)

Format professionally — I'll share this with attendees.

Summarize a long meeting

I have a [DURATION]-minute meeting recording/transcript.

[PASTE TRANSCRIPT OR UPLOAD]

Audience for summary: [ATTENDEES / ABSENT COLLEAGUES / LEADERSHIP]

Create:
1. Executive summary (3 sentences — bottom line)
2. Key decisions (bullet list)
3. Action items (table: who, what, when)
4. Discussion summary by topic (2-3 sentences per topic)
5. Dissenting views (what people disagreed on)
6. Open questions (unresolved)
7. Next steps

Format for busy readers — they should get value from the
summary without reading the full transcript.

Action item extraction

From this meeting, extract action items.

Meeting notes/transcript:
[PASTE]

For each action item, capture:
- Who is responsible (specific person, not "team")
- What they need to do (specific, not "follow up")
- When it's due (specific date, not "soon")
- Dependencies (what needs to happen first)
- How to verify it's done

Format as a table I can paste into Slack or email.

Also identify:
- Items that are vague (need clarification)
- Items with no owner (need assignment)
- Items with no deadline (need timeline)

Follow-up email after meeting

I just had a meeting with [PERSON/TEAM] about [TOPIC].

Meeting notes:
[PASTE OR SUMMARIZE]

Write a follow-up email that:
1. Thanks them for the meeting
2. Summarizes key decisions (so we're aligned)
3. Lists action items (who does what by when)
4. Confirms next steps and timeline
5. Asks for any corrections/additions
6. Sets next meeting if needed

Tone: professional, clear, not overly formal.

Under 200 words. Send within 2 hours of meeting while
everyone remembers what was discussed.

Prepare for a difficult meeting

I have a difficult meeting coming up.

Meeting purpose: [DESCRIBE — feedback, conflict, bad news, etc.]
Other attendees: [LIST]
My relationship with them: [DESCRIBE]
My desired outcome: [DESCRIBE]
Their likely concerns: [LIST]
My concerns: [LIST]

Help me:
1. Plan the opening (30 seconds — sets the tone)
2. Identify 3 key points I want to make (in order)
3. Anticipate 3 things they might say, with my response
4. Identify what I should NOT say
5. Plan the closing (mutual next steps)
6. Plan how to stay calm if it gets heated
7. Plan my post-meeting reflection

Then role-play the conversation. You be [PERSON], I'll be me.

Standup / status update

I need to write a standup update.

Format: [DAILY STANDUP / WEEKLY STATUS / SPRINT REVIEW]
Team size: [N]
My role: [DESCRIBE]

This period:
- What I did: [DESCRIBE]
- What I'm doing next: [DESCRIBE]
- Blockers: [DESCRIBE OR 'NONE']

Write an update that:
- Is scannable (bullet points)
- Is specific (not "worked on project X")
- Calls out blockers clearly
- Is under 100 words
- Doesn't sound like a status report robot

Format for [SLACK / EMAIL / MEETING].

Last reviewed: 2026-08

Resume Prompts

Copy-paste prompts for resume writing and tailoring.

Tailor resume for a specific job

Tailor my resume for this job.

Job description:
[PASTE JD]

My current resume:
[PASTE RESUME]

Help me:
1. Identify the 5 most important keywords in the JD (for ATS)
2. Suggest 3-5 bullet point rewrites that better match the JD
3. Identify experience I should emphasize more
4. Identify experience I should de-emphasize
5. Suggest a summary/objective line tailored to this role
6. Flag anything in my resume that doesn't serve this application

Don't fabricate experience — only reframe what I have.

Rewrite bullet points with STAR framework

Rewrite these bullet points using the STAR framework
(Situation, Task, Action, Result). Each bullet should:
- Start with an action verb
- Include a measurable result (number, %, $, time saved)
- Be under 20 words

Current bullets:
[PASTE BULLETS]

For each, also suggest 1 alternative phrasing.

Quantify achievements

I have these bullet points on my resume, but they lack metrics.
Help me identify what numbers I could add to make them more impactful.

[PASTE BULLETS]

For each, ask me 2-3 questions that will help me recall:
- Scale (how many people, dollars, projects?)
- Timeframe (how fast, how often?)
- Comparison (before vs. after, vs. peers, vs. target?)
- Impact (revenue, cost saved, efficiency gained?)

Then suggest rewritten bullets with the metrics I provide.

Write a summary statement

Write a summary statement for my resume.

About me:
- Role: [CURRENT/TARGET TITLE]
- Years of experience: [N]
- Key skills: [LIST 3-5]
- Career highlight: [DESCRIBE ONE]
- Target role: [DESCRIBE]

Format: 3-4 lines, under 60 words.
Tone: confident, specific, not generic.

Avoid: "results-oriented", "team player", "passionate about",
"proven track record", and other resume clichés.

Provide 3 versions:
1. Achievement-focused (leads with metrics)
2. Skills-focused (leads with expertise)
3. Story-focused (leads with career narrative)

ATS optimization check

Check my resume for ATS (Applicant Tracking System) compatibility.

Resume:
[PASTE RESUME]

Check for:
1. Missing keywords (compared to typical JDs in my field)
2. Formatting that ATS can't parse (tables, columns, images, headers/footers)
3. Section headers ATS expects (Experience, Education, Skills)
4. Date format consistency
5. Contact information completeness
6. File format recommendations

List specific fixes needed, ranked by importance.

Convert CV to resume

I have a CV (academic format) and need to convert it to a resume
(business format) for [TYPE OF ROLE] roles.

My CV:
[PASTE CV]

Convert to a 1-2 page resume:
1. Replace academic language with business language
2. Emphasize transferable skills over publications
3. Reorder sections for business audience
4. Convert academic achievements to business impact
5. Cut sections that don't serve the target role

Provide the rewritten resume and a list of what I cut (and why).

Last reviewed: 2026-08

Study Prompts

Copy-paste prompts for using AI as a study tutor.

Understand a difficult concept

I am a [GRADE LEVEL] student studying [TOPIC]. I'm stuck on
[SPECIFIC CONCEPT]. Explain it to me in 3 ways:
1. Like I'm 10 years old
2. Like I'm 15 years old
3. Like I'm a college student

Then give me a real-world example I would actually see in my daily life.

Generate practice questions

I have an exam on [SUBJECT] in [DAYS] days.

Topics:
- [TOPIC 1]
- [TOPIC 2]
- [TOPIC 3]

Generate 10 practice questions:
- 4 easy recall
- 4 medium application
- 2 hard analysis

Don't give me the answers yet — I'll try first,
then ask you to grade me.

Summarize a chapter

Summarize this chapter for studying.

[PASTE CHAPTER TEXT OR UPLOAD PDF]

Create a study sheet with:
1. 5 key terms with definitions
2. 3 main ideas (one sentence each)
3. 2 common exam questions on this material
4. 1 mnemonic to remember the key terms
5. 1 real-world example that ties it all together

Get feedback on an essay draft

Here is my essay draft for [CLASS].

Assignment: [PASTE ASSIGNMENT]
My draft: [PASTE DRAFT]

Give me feedback in this format:
1. Strengths (3 specific things I did well)
2. Weaknesses (3 specific things to fix, with line numbers)
3. Structural suggestions (reorder? cut? expand?)
4. One example of how you would rewrite my weakest paragraph

Do NOT rewrite the whole essay. I want to learn, not have it done for me.

Build a study schedule

I have these exams coming up:
- [SUBJECT 1] in [DAYS] days — confidence: [1-10]
- [SUBJECT 2] in [DAYS] days — confidence: [1-10]
- [SUBJECT 3] in [DAYS] days — confidence: [1-10]

I can study [HOURS] hours per day, [DAYS] days per week.
I learn best by [READING / DOING / WATCHING / MIX].

Build me a day-by-day study schedule that:
- Front-loads my weakest subject
- Includes active recall (quizzing) every day
- Includes one full practice exam per subject
- Includes rest days

Output as a table.

Improve note-taking

Here are my rough notes from a lecture on [TOPIC].

[PASTE ROUGH NOTES]

Restructure them into:
- Main topic and 3 sub-topics
- Key definitions (term bolded)
- 5 most important points
- 2 questions I should ask the professor
- 1 connection to a previous lecture

Solve a math problem step by step

I'm stuck on this math problem:

[PROBLEM]

I'm in [GRADE/COURSE]. Don't just give me the answer — walk me through
the solution step by step, explaining the reasoning at each step.

After you solve it, give me 2 similar practice problems with answers
hidden, so I can try myself.

Learn vocabulary with mnemonics

Help me learn these [LANGUAGE] vocabulary words:

[WORD 1]
[WORD 2]
[WORD 3]
...

For each word:
1. Definition in plain English
2. Pronunciation guide
3. Etymology (where the word comes from — helps memory)
4. A mnemonic connecting the word to its meaning
5. Example sentence using the word

Then give me a 5-question quiz at the end.

Prepare a class presentation

I have a [DURATION]-minute class presentation on [TOPIC] for [CLASS].

Help me:
1. Outline the presentation (intro, 3 main points, conclusion)
2. Suggest a memorable opening line
3. Suggest a memorable closing line
4. Give me 3 questions the audience might ask, with suggested answers
5. Tell me what to cut if I run out of time

Cite sources correctly

Format these sources in [APA / MLA / CHICAGO / HARVARD] style:

Source 1: [AUTHOR, TITLE, PUBLISHER, YEAR, URL]
Source 2: [AUTHOR, TITLE, JOURNAL, VOLUME, ISSUE, PAGES, YEAR]
Source 3: [AUTHOR, TITLE, WEBSITE, DATE ACCESSED, URL]

For each:
1. In-text citation (and alternative for narrative vs parenthetical)
2. Full reference list entry

Also create the in-text citation for each. Then show me how each
appears in a bibliography/works cited page.

Last reviewed: 2026-08

Travel Planning Prompts

Copy-paste prompts for planning trips with AI.

Plan a trip itinerary

I'm planning a [DURATION] trip to [DESTINATION] in [MONTH].

About me:
- Traveling with: [SOLO / PARTNER / FAMILY / FRIENDS]
- Budget: [BACKPACKER / MID-RANGE / LUXURY]
- Interests: [LIST — food, history, nature, nightlife, art, etc.]
- Pace: [PACKED / MODERATE / RELAXED]
- Mobility: [ANY CONSTRAINTS]

Help me plan:
1. Day-by-day itinerary (with morning/afternoon/evening)
2. Must-see attractions vs. hidden gems
3. Local food to try (specific dishes, not just "local cuisine")
4. Cultural etiquette I should know
5. Practical tips (transportation, money, safety)
6. What to skip (overrated tourist traps)
7. Weather considerations for [MONTH]

Format as a table.

Research a destination

I'm considering visiting [DESTINATION] in [MONTH].

Help me decide if it's right for me:
1. What's [DESTINATION] known for? (in 3 sentences)
2. What's the weather like in [MONTH]?
3. What's the cost level? (compared to [MY HOME COUNTRY])
4. Is it safe for [MY DEMOGRAPHIC]?
5. What's the food scene like?
6. What are the top 5 things to do?
7. What are 3 reasons I might NOT like it?
8. What's the best way to get around?
9. Do I need a visa?
10. What's a typical daily budget?

I'm a [TYPE OF TRAVELER]. Be honest — don't sell me on it.

Find local food

I'm in [DESTINATION] for [DURATION].

Help me eat like a local:
1. 5 must-try local dishes (with descriptions)
2. What to avoid (tourist traps, overrated items)
3. Best neighborhood for street food
4. Best mid-range local restaurants
5. Food etiquette (tipping, table manners, what's rude)
6. Food safety tips for travelers
7. 3 phrases for ordering in [LOCAL LANGUAGE]
8. What to bring back (food souvenirs)

I'm [ADVENTUROUS / CAUTIOUS] with food.

Handle travel problems

I'm dealing with [PROBLEM] while traveling in [DESTINATION].

Problem: [DESCRIBE — missed flight, lost luggage, sick, scammed, etc.]
My location: [DESCRIBE]
My resources: [DESCRIBE — phone, money, documents]
Language barrier: [DESCRIBE]

Help me:
1. Identify immediate next steps (in priority order)
2. Find local resources (embassy, hospital, police, etc.)
3. Communicate the problem in [LOCAL LANGUAGE]
4. Understand my rights (as a tourist, customer, etc.)
5. Document for insurance/damage claim
6. Plan prevention for the future

Be specific and practical. Don't add unnecessary worry.

Plan a budget

I'm planning a [DURATION] trip to [DESTINATION].

Help me build a realistic budget:
1. Flights: estimated cost from [MY CITY]
2. Accommodation: [HOSTEL / HOTEL / AIRBNB] per night
3. Food: per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks)
4. Transportation: local (taxi, transit, rental)
5. Activities: entrance fees, tours, etc.
6. Misc: SIM card, travel insurance, souvenirs, emergencies
7. Total estimated cost
8. Where to splurge vs. save
9. 5 ways to reduce the budget by 20%

Output as a table with low/mid/high estimates.

Cultural etiquette research

I'm visiting [COUNTRY] for [DURATION].

Help me understand cultural etiquette:
1. Greetings (how to say hello, handshakes, bows, etc.)
2. Dress code (what to wear, what to avoid)
3. Tipping (expected? how much? where?)
4. Gift-giving (if visiting someone's home)
5. Taboo topics (what to avoid discussing)
6. Body language (gestures to avoid)
7. Photography etiquette
8. Religious site etiquette
9. Dining etiquette (table manners, who pays, etc.)
10. Common mistakes tourists make

I want to be respectful, not just avoid offense.

Last reviewed: 2026-08