AI Prompting & LLM Patterns

Prompt engineering techniques and LLM interaction patterns for Claude, GPT, and other AI models.

Prompt Techniques

Basic Structure

Role: [Specify role/expertise]
Task: [Clear, specific task]
Context: [Relevant background]
Format: [Desired output format]
Constraints: [Any limitations]

Few-Shot Prompting

Provide 2-3 examples of input-output pairs before the actual request to guide model behavior.

Chain-of-Thought

Ask model to “explain your reasoning step by step” for complex tasks. Improves accuracy on logical problems.

System Prompts

Design detailed system prompts that establish persona, expertise level, and behavioral guidelines.

Key Strategies

1. Clarity – Be specific and unambiguous
2. Examples – Provide concrete examples
3. Constraints – Define output format and limits
4. Role Definition – Specify expertise and perspective
5. Iterative Refinement – Test and improve prompts

Common Patterns

• Classification & Categorization
• Text Generation & Creative Writing
• Code Generation & Debugging
• Data Extraction & Parsing
• Analysis & Reasoning
• Summarization & Synthesis
• Translation & Conversion
• Problem Solving & Ideation

References

• OpenAI Prompt Engineering Guide
• Anthropic Claude Best Practices
• Prompt Engineering Institute