Limits tell the AI the boundaries of a good answer. Without them, it picks its own, and they are not always yours.
Give a number or a clear range: under 100 words, three bullet points, one paragraph. 'Short' means different things to different readers. A target is easier to follow than a limit like 'not too long'.
Say whether it should be formal or friendly, and in which language. For German, you can say whether to use Sie or du.
Name the shape you need: an email, a table, a numbered list. If you will paste the result somewhere, say so.
State what to leave out: jargon, filler phrases, a particular claim. A short 'do not' list is easier to follow than a long explanation.
Our free page 'How to prompt better' has a copyable template for the four questions: goal, background, limits and done when. Open How to prompt better
Last reviewed: 2026-11-02
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