prompt-engineer

Create, review, and refine AI prompts and directive files.

7|Updated Nov 30, 2019
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/dstanberry/dotfiles --skill prompt-engineer-dstanberry
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: prompt-engineer
Source: https://github.com/dstanberry/dotfiles/tree/main/ai/claude/skills/prompt-engineer
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/dstanberry/dotfiles --skill prompt-engineer-dstanberry

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This skill eliminates ambiguity in AI prompts by guiding users to craft, review, and refine prompts and directive files for LLMs, ensuring clear task definitions and expectations.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Create mode: design prompts and instruction files from scratch for any AI assistant, with explicit roles, inputs, outputs, scope, and decision points.
  • Review mode: audit existing prompts to identify ambiguity, edge cases, and potential risks, and provide targeted improvements.
  • Audit & improvement: provide structured feedback, rationale, and revised prompt versions to increase reliability and task success.
  • Use cases: drafting system prompts (CLAUDE.md), agent instructions, copilot-instructions, or skill files for AI projects.

Quick Start

Create a complete, unambiguous prompt from scratch following the Create workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions about prompt-engineer

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I write an unambiguous system prompt for an LLM?

To write an unambiguous system prompt, define explicit roles, inputs, outputs, scope, and decision points. Structured prompt craft eliminates vague task definitions and ensures the LLM understands your exact expectations.

What is the best way to audit existing AI prompts for ambiguity?

Auditing AI prompts for ambiguity requires a structured review workflow that identifies edge cases, potential risks, and unclear instructions. This process provides targeted improvements and revised prompt versions to increase task reliability.

How do I create effective CLAUDE.md and copilot-instructions files?

Creating effective CLAUDE.md and copilot-instructions files requires defining explicit roles and clear task boundaries. A structured creation workflow ensures these AI directive files contain unambiguous instructions and proper metadata like YAML frontmatter.

Can I use a single workflow to design and refine agent instructions?

Yes, you can use a unified workflow to design and refine agent instructions. It supports both creating directives from scratch and reviewing existing ones to handle uncertainty and edge cases across engineering and content tasks.

What metadata is required for LLM prompt and skill files?

LLM prompt and skill files require YAML frontmatter containing the name and description. Including explicit inputs, outputs, and phased workflows ensures the AI directive meets structural and operational requirements.

Why does my LLM prompt fail on edge cases and unclear instructions?

LLM prompts fail on edge cases due to ambiguity and missing decision points in the instruction file. Implementing robust uncertainty handling and structured refinement workflows revises the prompt to prevent these specific task failures.