I
Instruction
Core Questions
- ?What ordered steps should the AI follow?
- ?Are there decision points or conditional branches?
- ?What should be done first, and what depends on prior steps?
- ?Are there any steps the AI should explicitly avoid?
Micro-Template
Follow these steps: 1. [First step]. 2. [Second step]. 3. [Third step]. If [condition], then [alternative].
Anti-Patterns
| Error | Correction |
|---|---|
| No step sequence provided | Number your steps to create an explicit sequence the model can follow. |
| Steps that are too vague | Each step should be specific enough that the model knows when it is complete. |
| Missing conditional logic | If outcomes can vary, provide if/then branches for the most likely scenarios. |
| Contradictory instructions | Review steps for internal consistency before submitting the prompt. |
| Overly rigid sequence for creative tasks | For ideation tasks, provide guidelines rather than strict step-by-step procedures. |
Self-Check
- ✔Could someone else follow these steps and reach a similar output?
- ✔Does each step have a clear completion criterion?
- ✔Are the steps in the right logical order with dependencies respected?
Interaction Note
Instruction is the procedural backbone. It operationalizes the Tool and delivers the Object. Well-crafted Instructions reduce hallucination by giving the model a clear path. They also make outputs reproducible.