🧪Master Prompt Engineering Principles
Stop chasing magic phrases. Learn the four principles — specificity, constraints, examples, decomposition — that survive every model upgrade, then ship a prompt spec and A/B it against your old one.
Phase 1Prompts Are Specs, Not Spells
See prompts as specs the model best-fits
The model best-fits your text — it doesn't obey it
6 minThe model best-fits your text — it doesn't obey it
Specificity beats sophistication every time
6 minSpecificity beats sophistication every time
Constraints don't limit the model — they aim it
6 minConstraints don't limit the model — they aim it
Two examples teach what 200 words can't
7 minTwo examples teach what 200 words can't
Phase 2Five Principles, Five Real Rewrites
Rewrite five real prompts using one principle each
Rewrite a vague prompt with one specific number
6 minRewrite a vague prompt with one specific number
Use role to set epistemic stance, not job title
6 minUse role to set epistemic stance, not job title
Add two examples and delete the tone paragraph
7 minAdd two examples and delete the tone paragraph
Add three forbidden patterns to your most-run prompt
6 minAdd three forbidden patterns to your most-run prompt
Pin the output shape — schema, not vibe
7 minPin the output shape — schema, not vibe
Phase 3When and How to Decompose
Decompose hard tasks into reasoning shapes
Hard tasks fail in one prompt for a reason
7 minHard tasks fail in one prompt for a reason
Chain-of-thought is a shape, not a phrase
7 minChain-of-thought is a shape, not a phrase
Step-back: zoom out before you answer
7 minStep-back: zoom out before you answer
Plan-then-execute beats one-shot for compound tasks
7 minPlan-then-execute beats one-shot for compound tasks
Phase 4Ship Your Prompt Spec
Ship a prompt spec and run a real A/B
Write a prompt spec and A/B it against your old one
22 minWrite a prompt spec and A/B it against your old one
Frequently asked questions
- What's the difference between prompt engineering and prompt hacking?
- This is covered in the “Master Prompt Engineering Principles” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- Why do 'magic phrases' like 'think step by step' stop working?
- This is covered in the “Master Prompt Engineering Principles” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How do I A/B test prompts without an eval framework?
- This is covered in the “Master Prompt Engineering Principles” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- When should I decompose a prompt into multiple steps?
- This is covered in the “Master Prompt Engineering Principles” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- Do prompt engineering principles transfer between models?
- This is covered in the “Master Prompt Engineering Principles” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
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