Every time you open ChatGPT or Claude, you face the same problem: the blank prompt box.
What do you write? How do you phrase it? You know AI can do amazing things, but getting from blank screen to useful output feels like work.
Here’s a secret: you don’t have to start from scratch.
Good prompts follow patterns. Once you have those patterns, you can adapt them to almost anything. Copy the template, fill in your details, get useful output.
I’ve collected 20 of my most-used prompt templates below. They’re organized by category, tested across different AI tools, and ready to paste right now.
Writing Templates
1. Professional Email
Write a professional email with this context:
- From: [your role, e.g., "Senior Developer"]
- To: [recipient's role, e.g., "Project Manager"]
- Purpose: [what you need, e.g., "request deadline extension"]
- Tone: [professional/friendly/urgent]
- Key points to include: [list them]
Keep it under [X] words. Be direct but polite.
2. Blog Post Outline
Create a detailed outline for a blog post:
- Topic: [your topic]
- Target audience: [who's reading]
- Goal: [inform/persuade/entertain]
- Ideal length: [word count]
Include:
- Attention-grabbing title options (give 3)
- Introduction hook
- 5-7 main sections with subpoints
- Conclusion with call-to-action
Make it actionable and specific, not generic.
3. Social Media Post
Write a [platform] post about [topic].
Context: [any relevant details]
Tone: [casual/professional/witty/inspiring]
Goal: [engagement/awareness/clicks]
Include:
- Hook in first line
- Value or insight in the middle
- Call-to-action at end
- Relevant hashtags (if appropriate)
Keep it under [character limit].
4. Content Rewriter
Rewrite this content for a different purpose:
Original: [paste content]
New requirements:
- Audience: [new target audience]
- Tone: [new tone]
- Length: [shorter/longer/same]
- Format: [new format if different]
Keep the core message but adapt everything else.
5. Editing Assistant
Edit this text for clarity and impact:
[paste your text]
Fix:
- Grammar and spelling
- Awkward phrasing
- Unnecessary words
- Weak verbs (replace with stronger ones)
Keep my voice. Don't make it sound generic.
Show me the edited version, then list what you changed.
Coding Templates
6. Code Explainer
Explain this code to someone who knows [their background]:
```[language]
[paste code]
Cover:
- What it does (high level)
- How it works (step by step)
- Why certain choices were made
- Any potential issues or edge cases
Use simple language. Avoid jargon unless you explain it.
### 7. Bug Detective
I have a bug. Help me find it.
Code:
[paste code]
Expected behavior: [what should happen] Actual behavior: [what actually happens] Error message (if any): [paste it]
Walk through the code step by step. Identify the most likely cause. Then show me the fix with an explanation of why it works.
### 8. Code Reviewer
Review this code for:
- Bugs and logic errors
- Security vulnerabilities
- Performance issues
- Readability improvements
[paste code]
Format your review as:
- Critical issues (fix immediately)
- Improvements (should fix)
- Suggestions (nice to have)
For each issue, explain why it matters and show the fix.
### 9. Function Generator
Write a function that:
- Purpose: [what it should do]
- Language: [programming language]
- Inputs: [list parameters and types]
- Output: [expected return]
- Edge cases to handle: [list them]
Include:
- Clear variable names
- Comments explaining logic
- Error handling
- Example usage
### 10. Test Writer
Write tests for this function:
[paste function]
Include tests for:
- Happy path (normal usage)
- Edge cases: [list specific ones]
- Error conditions
- Boundary values
Use [testing framework]. Make tests readable and maintainable.
## Analysis Templates
### 11. Pros and Cons Analysis
Analyze [topic/decision] for me.
Context: [your situation]
Create a structured analysis:
- Summary of the options
- Detailed pros for each (with reasoning)
- Detailed cons for each (with reasoning)
- Hidden factors I might not have considered
- Recommendation based on my context
Be honest about tradeoffs. Don’t sugarcoat downsides.
### 12. Document Summarizer
Summarize this document:
[paste document]
Provide:
- One-paragraph executive summary
- Key points (bullet list)
- Important details I shouldn’t miss
- Questions this raises or doesn’t answer
Target audience for summary: [who will read it]
### 13. Data Interpreter
Help me understand this data:
[paste data/stats/results]
Tell me:
- What patterns or trends do you see?
- What’s surprising or noteworthy?
- What might explain these results?
- What questions should I investigate further?
- What actions might this data support?
Explain like I’m [their expertise level with data].
### 14. Meeting Notes Processor
Here are rough notes from a meeting:
[paste notes]
Create:
- Clean summary (3-5 sentences)
- Key decisions made
- Action items (with owners if mentioned)
- Open questions to resolve
- Next steps
Format for easy sharing with the team.
### 15. Research Synthesizer
I’ve gathered research on [topic]:
Source 1: [paste or summarize] Source 2: [paste or summarize] Source 3: [paste or summarize]
Synthesize this into:
- What all sources agree on
- Where they disagree or differ
- Gaps in the research
- Key takeaways for [my purpose]
- Questions for further research
## Creative Templates
### 16. Brainstorm Partner
I need ideas for [topic/challenge].
Context: [relevant background] Constraints: [any limitations] What I’ve already considered: [list existing ideas]
Generate 10 ideas ranging from:
- Safe/obvious (but solid)
- Creative (fresh angles)
- Wild (might be crazy but interesting)
For each idea, give one sentence on why it could work.
### 17. Story Starter
Help me start a story:
Genre: [genre] Setting: [where/when] Main character: [brief description] Central conflict: [what they’re facing] Tone: [dark/light/funny/serious]
Write the opening scene (about 300 words) that:
- Hooks the reader immediately
- Establishes the character’s voice
- Hints at the conflict to come
- Makes me want to keep writing
### 18. Analogy Creator
I need to explain [complex concept] to [audience].
They understand [what they already know]. They don’t know [what’s new to them].
Create 3 analogies that:
- Use familiar concepts they already understand
- Accurately represent the key aspects
- Are memorable and easy to repeat
For each analogy, note any ways it might break down or mislead.
### 19. Name Generator
I need names for [what you’re naming: product/project/feature/company].
Context:
- What it does: [description]
- Target audience: [who it’s for]
- Feeling I want to evoke: [emotions/associations]
- Names to avoid sounding like: [competitors or wrong associations]
Generate:
- 5 descriptive names (clearly say what it is)
- 5 abstract names (evocative but not literal)
- 5 creative/playful names
For each, explain why it could work.
### 20. Feedback Reframer
I received this feedback:
[paste feedback]
Help me:
- Understand what they’re really saying (read between lines)
- Identify the valid points I should act on
- Separate emotion from substance
- Create an action plan to address legitimate concerns
- Draft a professional response if one is needed
Be honest with me, even if the feedback stings.
## How to Use These Templates
**Step 1: Copy the template**
Pick the one closest to your need. Paste it into your AI tool.
**Step 2: Fill in the brackets**
Replace every [bracketed item] with your specific information. More detail = better output.
**Step 3: Adjust as needed**
Remove sections you don't need. Add constraints that matter to you.
**Step 4: Iterate**
First output not perfect? That's normal. Say "make it shorter" or "less formal" or "add more examples."
## Get More Templates
These 20 will handle most common situations. But if you need something more specialized—prompt templates for specific industries, tools, or use cases—we've got hundreds more.
Browse our [full skill library](/skills/) to find prompts for:
- [Coding and development](/skills/claude-code/)
- [Writing and content](/skills/ai-creative/)
- [Business and productivity](/skills/productivity/)
- [Data and analysis](/skills/data-analytics/)
Each skill is a ready-to-use prompt template you can copy with one click.
No more blank prompt anxiety. Just find the template, paste it, and get to work.