A prompt template is a prompt with blanks. You fill in the details each time, so you keep the structure that worked and change only what is new. The templates below are our own, and they work in any assistant, such as ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini.
The shape of a good template
Most good prompts have the same five parts: role or context, task, inputs, constraints and output format. Put the parts you reuse in the template and mark the rest as [BLANKS]. For the full process of testing and saving prompts, see our prompt workflow guide.
Six templates
1. Rewrite
Rewrite the text below for [AUDIENCE]. Keep my meaning and my voice, cut filler, and aim for about [LENGTH]. Then list the three biggest changes you made. [PASTE TEXT]
2. Summarise
Summarise the material below for someone who has two minutes. Give: the main point in one sentence, up to five key points, decisions made, and open questions. Do not add facts that are not in the text. [PASTE TEXT]
3. Plan
I need to achieve [GOAL] by [DATE] with [RESOURCES]. Propose a step-by-step plan with owners, rough timings and the main risk for each step. Ask me up to three questions first if anything is unclear.
4. Research helper
Help me understand [TOPIC] for [PURPOSE]. Explain the basics, then list the strongest arguments on each side, and say which claims I should verify with primary sources. Mark anything you are unsure about.
5. Image prompt
Turn this idea into one image prompt: [IDEA]. Include subject, setting, lighting, style and aspect ratio, in under 70 words. Avoid vague words like “nice” or “cool”.
For more on this one, read how to write better image prompts and negative prompts explained.
6. Critique
Review the work below against these criteria: [CRITERIA]. Score each from 1 to 5, quote the weakest passage, and suggest one concrete fix per criterion. [PASTE WORK]
Keep your own library
- Store prompts where you will find them: a notes app or a spreadsheet with columns for name, use, template, last tested and which assistant worked best.
- Version them. When you improve a template, keep the old one for a week in case the new one is worse.
- Test on a fresh chat. A template that only works with earlier context in the conversation is not a template yet.
- Retest after model changes. Assistants change often; check the AI model tracker and rerun your top templates.
- Never paste private data into a prompt unless your plan and policy allow it.
Make templates safer for agents
If an assistant can act on your behalf, add a line to the template about what it may do alone and what needs approval. Our agent permissions checklist has wording you can copy.
The same four parts (purpose, data, layout, style) also work for small app builders such as Gemini’s new home screen widgets; see our Create My Widget prompts.
Not sure which assistant to use? See Claude vs Gemini and ChatGPT vs Claude.