AI Prompts
ChatGPT prompts.
A starter pack of everyday ChatGPT prompts — write emails, learn anything, get more done and make decisions. Tap to copy, then paste into ChatGPT.
Tap Copy on any prompt, paste it into ChatGPT, and replace the [bracketed] parts with your own details.
Writing & email
Write an email for me
Write a [tone — e.g. friendly / professional] email to [who] about [what I need to say]. Keep it under [number] words, make the ask clear, and give me a short subject line.
Reply to this message
Here's a message I received: [paste it]. I want to reply saying [the gist of my response]. Draft a clear, polite reply in my voice, and offer one slightly warmer and one more formal version.
Rewrite to sound better
Rewrite the text below so it's clearer and more natural, without changing my meaning or making it longer. Fix any grammar and awkward phrasing, and keep it in a [tone] tone: [paste your text].
Shorten without losing the point
Cut this down to about [number] words while keeping every key point. Use plain language and remove filler: [paste your text].
Learn & explain
Explain it simply
Explain [topic] to me as if I'm a smart beginner. Use plain language and one everyday analogy, then give me the three things that matter most to actually understand it.
Summarise a long text
Summarise the text below in [number] bullet points, then give me a one-sentence takeaway. Flag anything important that's unclear or missing: [paste the text].
Quiz me to learn faster
I'm trying to learn [topic]. Ask me one question at a time, wait for my answer, then tell me if I'm right and explain why. Start easy and get harder as I improve.
Compare the options
Compare [option A] and [option B] for someone who cares most about [what matters to me]. Give a short table of pros and cons, then a plain recommendation with the reason.
Work & productivity
Turn notes into an action plan
Here are my rough notes: [paste them]. Turn them into a clear list of next actions, each starting with a verb, grouped by priority, and flag anything I seem to be missing.
Draft an agenda
Create an agenda for a [length] meeting about [topic] with [who's attending]. Include the goal, timed sections, and 2–3 questions to decide by the end.
Break down a big task
I need to [goal] by [deadline]. Break this into small, ordered steps I can actually start today, estimate how long each takes, and tell me which one to do first.
Prepare for a hard conversation
I need to talk to [who] about [situation]. Help me prepare: what to say, how to open, likely responses, and how to keep it calm and constructive. Keep my main point clear.
Brainstorm & ideas
Give me ideas
Give me [number] ideas for [what — e.g. a weekend project / a gift / a blog post]. Make them varied — a few safe, a few bold — and add a one-line reason each could work.
Help me name it
Suggest [number] name ideas for [what it is, who it's for, and the feeling I want]. Keep them short and easy to say, and note any that might already be widely used.
Play devil's advocate
Here's an idea I'm considering: [describe it]. Argue the strongest case against it, list the risks I'm probably ignoring, then suggest how I could test it cheaply first.
Everyday life & decisions
Plan meals for the week
Plan [number] simple dinners for [how many people] this week. I like [foods] and want to avoid [dislikes/restrictions]. Keep each under [time] to cook and give me one combined shopping list.
Help me decide
I'm trying to decide whether to [option A] or [option B]. Ask me any questions you need first, then walk me through the trade-offs and give me your honest recommendation.
Plan a trip or day out
Plan a [length] trip to [place] for [who] with a budget of [amount]. We're into [interests]. Give a simple day-by-day plan and a few backup options if the weather's bad.
Get better answers
Ask me questions first
I want help with [task]. Before you answer, ask me any questions you need to give a genuinely good response. Once I've answered, give me your best version.
Act as an expert
Act as an experienced [role — e.g. editor / financial planner / career coach]. I need help with [situation]. Give practical, specific advice, and tell me what most people in my position get wrong.
Critique my work
Give me honest, specific feedback on the [email / plan / draft] below. Point out what's weak or unclear, ordered by importance, and show how you'd fix the top few things: [paste it].
Show your reasoning
Answer this and explain how you reached your conclusion, step by step: [your question]. Then tell me how confident you are and what would change your answer.
Money & admin
Build a budget from a description
My take-home pay is [amount] per [week/month]. My regular costs are [rent, bills, etc.] and I want to save for [goal]. Build me a simple monthly budget, suggest realistic amounts for each category, and point out where I could cut back first.
Explain a bill or contract in plain English
Explain the document below in plain English: what am I agreeing to, what does it cost me, and what should I watch out for? List any fees, deadlines or clauses that could catch me out: [paste the bill or contract].
Compare two options on cost
Help me compare [option A] and [option B] for [what I need — e.g. a phone plan / insurance]. Lay out the real total cost of each over [time period], list the trade-offs, and tell me which is better value for someone who cares most about [priority].
Draft a message to sort out a charge
Write a clear, polite message to [company] about [the problem — e.g. a wrong charge / a cancellation]. State what happened, what I want them to do, and any relevant dates or amounts. Keep it firm but friendly: [paste the details].
Health & habits
Build a simple workout plan
Build me a simple [number]-day-a-week workout plan for [goal — e.g. general fitness / strength]. I have [equipment/none] and about [minutes] per session, and I'm a [beginner/intermediate]. Keep it easy to follow and tell me how to progress over a few weeks. (General guidance only — not medical advice.)
Plan simple, balanced meals
Suggest [number] simple, balanced meals for [breakfast/lunch/dinner] that fit [any preferences or restrictions]. Keep each quick to make and give me a rough idea of what's in them. (General guidance only — not medical or dietary advice.)
Help me build a habit
I want to build the habit of [habit] but I keep falling off. Help me make a realistic plan: a tiny starting version, when and where I'll do it, how to track it, and what to do on days I don't feel like it.
Wind-down routine for better sleep
Help me design a simple wind-down routine for the [number] minutes before bed. My evenings usually look like [what I do now] and I struggle with [e.g. screens / a busy mind]. Suggest a short, doable sequence. (General guidance only — not medical advice.)
Career
Tailor a resume bullet
Rewrite this resume bullet so it's stronger and results-focused, for a [role] job: [paste the bullet]. Lead with the impact, add a number if it fits, and keep it to one tight line. Give me two versions.
Prep for a 1:1 with my manager
Help me prepare for a 1:1 with my manager. I want to cover [topics/updates] and raise [anything tricky]. Suggest a short agenda, how to frame the hard part constructively, and a few good questions to ask them.
Ask for something politely
Help me make the case for [what I want — e.g. a raise / more flexibility / a new project]. My situation is [context] and my reasons are [why]. Draft what I could say, keep it confident and respectful, and prepare me for a likely pushback.
Answer a tough interview question
Help me answer the interview question "[question]" for a [role] position. Here's my relevant experience: [notes]. Give me a clear, structured answer in my own voice, then suggest how to make it stronger.
How to prompt ChatGPT
ChatGPT is a capable all-round assistant, but it works best when you treat it like a smart helper who can't read your mind. Give it context and a clear job: say who it should act as, what you want back, and the format and length you'd like. Paste the actual email, notes or text rather than describing them, and add any constraints up front. If the first answer isn't quite right, don't start over — tell it exactly what was off and ask it to try again. A short back-and-forth almost always beats one perfect prompt, and for anything that matters you should still read and sanity-check the result yourself.
FAQ
How do I write a good ChatGPT prompt?
Give it context and a clear job. Say who it should act as, what you want, the format you'd like back, and any constraints — then paste the real details rather than describing them. If the first answer misses, tell ChatGPT what was wrong and ask it to try again; it improves quickly with feedback.
Do these work with GPT-4o and the free version of ChatGPT?
Yes. These are plain-text prompts, so they work in free ChatGPT, GPT-4o, and paid plans, as well as Claude, Gemini and Copilot. Newer models simply tend to follow longer, more detailed instructions more reliably.