Give Clear Instructions
The AI can only use what it can see. Most disappointing results come from a request that left out the result, the material, or the limits. A few habits fix almost all of them.
Say the result, not only the first step
Describe what "done" looks like: the output, its format and where it goes.
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| "Look at these invoices" | "Check each invoice in the attached folder against the price list and give me a table of the ones that don't match, with the difference" |
| "Write something about the meeting" | "Write a one-page summary of the decisions and owners from meeting-notes.docx. Save it as summary.md in the workspace" |
Point at the material
Name the exact file, folder, page or record. Better still, put it in front of the AI:
- Files and folders: attach them, or choose the folder as the workspace. See Attachments, Images, Folders and Long Text.
- Web pages: open the page in a tab first, or give the AI its address
- Long text: paste it. A long paste becomes a Pasted text block, and the AI still receives all of it.
Say what it must not do
Limits keep the AI on track and spare you approval cards for things you never wanted:
- "Do not change any data, only report."
- "Only look at records from this month."
- "Ask me before sending anything outside the company."
Give it a way to check its work
When there is a way to tell right from wrong, say it. The AI uses it to verify before it reports back:
- "The totals must match the summary row on the last sheet."
- "Every order number in the output must exist in the input file."
- "Open the page after you save and confirm the new value shows."
Break up big jobs, or let it plan first
For a long or risky job, ask for the plan before the work:
Before you change anything, list the steps you will take and what each one
touches. Wait for my OK.Then approve, adjust, or ask it to start with one item so you can check the result.
Steer as it goes
You do not have to get everything right up front. While the AI works you can add instructions, correct it, or click Stop and take over. See Steering, Stopping and Taking Back.
When you repeat yourself, make a skill
If you find yourself typing the same long instructions again, the job deserves a skill. Do it once together with the AI, then ask "Turn what we just did into a skill". See Build Your First Skill.