Improve an existing prompt for a specific model and show the new version is better with test cases, not opinion.
Input
- Current prompt: [CURRENT PROMPT]
- What it is for, and how it fails today (paste 1-3 bad outputs if you have them): [TASK AND FAILURES]
- Target model or tool: [TARGET MODEL]
Steps
- Diagnose: list what the current prompt leaves unclear (role, inputs, output format, length, edge cases, what to do when unsure) and which observed failure each gap explains.
- Write 5 test inputs: 2 typical, 1 easy, 1 edge case, 1 adversarial (missing data, conflicting instructions, or input that tries to override the prompt). Give each an expected behaviour in one or two sentences.
- Draft 2 rewrites that take different approaches (for example constraints-first vs. worked example). Fit the target model's conventions (system vs. user message, tags, structured output support) and keep any placeholders the original uses.
- Run the original and both rewrites on all 5 inputs if you can call the model. If you cannot, reason through each and state clearly that nothing was executed. Run each test 3 times; count a pass only when at least 2 of 3 pass.
- Score each version per test as pass / partial / fail against the expected behaviour. Pick the winner on passes, then on length.
- Tighten the winner: remove lines that did not change any result.
Rules
- Keep the original intent; add no new tasks.
- Prefer an explicit output format and an instruction for missing input over adjectives like "be thorough".
- Do not recommend sampling settings the target model does not expose.
Output
- The final prompt, ready to paste.
- A change list: each change and the test it fixed.
- The test table: input, expected, and result for original / A / B.
- Known weaknesses that remain.