AI Prompts Library — Copy-and-Paste Prompts That Actually Work
Status: 🟩 COMPLETE 🟦 LIVING Section: cheat-sheets Tags: prompts, library, copy-paste, productivity, cheat-sheet
How to read this
Battle-tested prompts you can copy, paste, customise, and use immediately. Organised by what you’re trying to accomplish.
For each prompt, replace [BRACKETED] placeholders with your specifics.
Email and communication
Difficult email
Help me write an email to [recipient] about [topic].
Context: [why this is happening; relationship]
What I want: [specific outcome]
Tone: [professional but firm / warm / apologetic / direct]
Length: [short / medium / detailed]
Things to avoid: [anything specific]
Decline politely
I need to decline [opportunity/request] from [person].
Reason I'm declining (background, not necessarily to share): [reason]
The relationship I want to maintain: [important / casual / professional only]
Help me decline in a way that's clear but doesn't damage the relationship.
Apology
I need to apologise to [person] for [what happened].
What went wrong from their perspective: [their view]
My understanding: [what actually happened]
What I want to communicate: accountability without making excuses
Tone: genuine and direct
Follow-up after no response
I emailed [person] about [topic] on [date].
I haven't received a response.
The matter is [urgent / time-sensitive / not urgent].
Help me write a follow-up that's polite but moves things forward.
Asking for an introduction
Help me draft a message asking [person] to introduce me to [target person] at [company].
Context: [how I know person]
Why I want the introduction: [genuine reason]
What I'd offer/discuss with the target: [value]
Make it easy for them to say yes (or no) without awkwardness.
Writing assistance
Improve clarity
Improve the clarity of this writing without changing the meaning or my voice.
Identify what's unclear and suggest specific revisions.
Don't rewrite it — show me what to change.
[paste text]
Tighten it up
This text is [current length]. Make it [target length] while keeping the most important points.
Show me what to cut, not a rewrite from scratch.
[paste text]
Find the weakness
Read this and identify the weakest part. Tell me what's not working and why.
Don't fix it — diagnose it. I'll do the rewriting.
[paste text]
Different audiences
Take this text and adapt it for [audience]:
- Their background: [details]
- Their interests: [details]
- Their likely concerns: [details]
- Appropriate tone: [details]
[paste text]
From notes to draft
Here are my notes on [topic]:
[paste notes]
Turn these into a [type of document] for [audience].
Length: [target]
Tone: [details]
Structure I want: [if any]
Keep the substance from my notes; don't add new claims.
Analysis and thinking
Pros and cons
Help me analyse this decision: [describe situation]
My options are:
- Option A: [description]
- Option B: [description]
- Option C: [description]
My priorities: [list]
My constraints: [list]
Don't recommend yet. First, give me a structured pros/cons for each option, then identify what I'm missing.
Decision framework
I need to decide [decision].
Factors I think matter: [list]
What I don't know: [acknowledge gaps]
Help me build a framework for deciding. What questions should I be answering?
Steel-man opposing view
I believe [position].
Steel-man the strongest case for the opposite view.
What's the most compelling argument against my position?
What evidence would change my mind?
What am I missing?
I'm planning [thing]. Here's my plan:
[details]
What am I likely missing? What could go wrong?
What questions should I be asking that I'm not?
What would an expert in this area notice that I might not?
Compare options
Help me compare [option A] vs [option B] for [purpose].
My priorities: [list]
My constraints: [list]
What matters most to me: [priority]
Format your response as a comparison table followed by a recommendation with reasoning.
Learning
Explain a concept
Explain [concept] to me.
My background: [your level — beginner / familiar with adjacent fields / etc.]
I learn best through: [analogies / examples / theory first / step-by-step]
Start with the simplest version, then add complexity.
After your explanation, ask me one question to check my understanding.
Teach me through questions
I want to understand [topic].
Don't tell me directly. Ask me questions that help me discover the answer.
If I'm stuck, give a hint, not the answer.
Five different explanations
Explain [concept] five different ways:
1. Simple analogy from everyday life
2. Concrete example
3. Technical/precise definition
4. Common misconception people have
5. Why it matters / why I should care
Quiz me
Quiz me on [topic].
Give me one question at a time.
Wait for my answer before telling me if I'm right or wrong.
If I'm wrong, explain what I missed before the next question.
Continue until I've answered 5 questions or I say stop.
Study plan
I want to learn [topic] starting from [your current level].
I have approximately [hours/week] to spend.
I prefer learning by [methods].
My goal is to [specific outcome].
Build me a study plan with concrete milestones.
Work and professional
Job application help
I'm applying for [role] at [company].
Job description: [paste]
My relevant experience: [brief summary]
Help me identify the most relevant aspects of my experience to highlight.
What should I emphasise? What's less relevant for this role?
Meeting prep
I have a meeting with [person/role] about [topic].
Their interests/concerns: [what you know]
What I want to accomplish: [goal]
Length: [duration]
Help me prepare:
1. Key points to make
2. Likely questions/concerns from them
3. Questions I should ask
4. Possible outcomes and how to navigate them
Performance review prep
I'm preparing for a performance review.
My role: [details]
Period: [timeframe]
Achievements I'm aware of: [list]
Challenges I faced: [list]
Help me think about:
1. Achievements to emphasise (with concrete examples)
2. How to discuss challenges constructively
3. Development goals to propose
4. Questions to ask
Project planning
I need to plan [project].
Goal: [specific outcome]
Timeframe: [duration]
Resources: [people, budget, tools]
Constraints: [limitations]
Help me think through:
1. Key milestones
2. Risks and how to address them
3. Things I might be underestimating
4. Order of operations
Difficult conversation prep
I need to have a difficult conversation with [person] about [topic].
Background: [context]
My perspective: [your view]
What I think their perspective might be: [their likely view]
Outcome I want: [goal]
Help me:
1. Frame the conversation constructively
2. Anticipate likely reactions
3. Prepare for what to say if X / Y / Z happens
4. Identify language to avoid
Creative
Brainstorm
I need ideas for [purpose].
Constraints: [list]
What's been tried before: [if known]
Tone/style: [details]
Generate 20 ideas. Don't filter for quality at this stage.
After listing all 20, identify the 3 that have the most potential and why.
Develop a concept
I have a rough idea: [describe]
Help me develop this further:
1. What's strong about it?
2. What's missing?
3. What questions would someone ask?
4. What would make it more compelling?
5. What would make it weaker?
Naming
I need to name [thing].
What it is: [description]
What it does: [function]
Tone/feel I want: [list adjectives]
What it shouldn't sound like: [avoid]
Audience: [who would use this]
Suggest 25 name ideas. Mix:
- Descriptive names
- Made-up words
- Metaphorical names
- Short and punchy
- Longer and meaningful
After listing, identify your 5 favourites and why.
Headline variations
The article/content is about: [topic]
The main argument/message: [point]
Audience: [details]
Generate 15 headline variations. Mix:
- Question headlines
- Statement headlines
- Numbered headlines
- "How to" headlines
- Provocative headlines
For each, briefly note who it would appeal to and why.
Code and technical
Explain code
Explain what this code does:
[paste code]
My background: [your level with this language]
Format: line-by-line for the complex parts, summary for the obvious parts
Debug help
This code is supposed to [intended behaviour]
But it's doing [actual behaviour]
I've tried [what you've already tried]
[paste code]
[paste error if applicable]
Walk me through what's wrong and how to fix it.
Don't just give me the fix — help me understand why.
Code review
Review this code as if you were a senior developer doing a code review.
Look for:
- Bugs and edge cases
- Readability issues
- Performance concerns
- Security issues
- Maintainability problems
Be specific. Don't praise unnecessarily.
[paste code]
Refactor
Refactor this code to be [more readable / more performant / more testable / more idiomatic for {language}].
Keep the same external behaviour.
Explain each change you make.
[paste code]
Research
Background on topic
I want background on [topic].
What I already know: [your current understanding]
What I'm trying to figure out: [specific question]
Why I care: [context]
Structure:
1. The basics (assuming my stated background)
2. Key debates or different views
3. Current state of knowledge
4. What to read next
5. Things to verify with primary sources
Compare and contrast
Compare and contrast [X] and [Y].
What I'm trying to decide/understand: [purpose]
Aspects I care about: [list]
Format as a structured comparison, not a long essay.
Note any aspects where my comparison might be unfair or oversimplified.
Verify a claim
I encountered this claim: [claim]
Where I heard it: [source if known]
How likely is this to be true? What would I need to check to verify it?
Are there any obvious flaws in the claim or reasons to be sceptical?
Personal life
Plan a trip
I'm planning a trip to [destination] for [duration] in [month].
I'm interested in: [list]
Budget: [range]
Travelling with: [solo / partner / family / etc.]
Energy level: [relaxed / active / mixed]
Australian-specific considerations: [if any]
Give me:
1. Suggested daily itinerary
2. What to verify with current sources (prices, hours, etc.)
3. What I might be missing
4. Things specific to this destination
Meal planning
Plan dinners for the week.
We are [dietary needs/preferences]
Time available: [weeknight constraints]
Skill level: [details]
Ingredients we like: [list]
Ingredients we don't: [list]
Budget consideration: [if any]
Format as:
- Day-by-day menu
- Shopping list
- Brief notes on prep that can be done ahead
Workout plan
Create a workout plan for me.
Goal: [specific outcome]
Days available: [days/week]
Time per session: [duration]
Equipment access: [what you have]
Current fitness level: [details]
Any limitations: [injuries, conditions]
For each session, give me:
- Warmup
- Main exercises with sets/reps/weight guidance
- Cooldown
- How to progress over time
Learn a hobby
I want to start [hobby].
Current level: complete beginner / [other]
Available time: [details]
Budget for getting started: [range]
Tell me:
1. What I need to get started (minimum kit)
2. First steps that build foundation
3. Common beginner mistakes to avoid
4. Where to learn (resources)
5. Realistic timeline to competence
Australian-specific
Government services
Help me understand [Australian government service].
My situation: [relevant details]
Explain:
1. What the service does
2. Who's eligible
3. How to apply
4. Common gotchas
5. Where to verify current details (official source)
Tax question
I want to understand [tax concept] for Australian context.
My situation: [relevant — don't share TFN or specific dollar amounts you wouldn't want stored]
Explain the general principle.
Note any complexities I should be aware of.
Recommend when I should see an accountant rather than rely on this explanation.
Government correspondence
Help me draft a letter to [Centrelink / Medicare / ATO / state agency] about [matter].
My situation: [general details]
What I want them to do: [outcome]
Tone: professional but firm
Australian context. Don't ask for personal identifying details I shouldn't share.
See also
- ai-prompting-cheat-sheet — how to write better prompts
- ai-for-daily-life-cheat-sheet — quick reference
- write-system-prompts — for AI customisation
- ai-vendor-cheat-sheet — which AI for what
- ai-safety-cheat-sheet — safe use
Sources
- Personal experience with effective prompts (2023-2026)
- Prompt engineering community best practices
- Anthropic and OpenAI prompt engineering documentation
- Adapted from various professional and personal use cases