optimize-prompt
Transform prompts into optimized, production-ready versions. PROACTIVELY activate for: (1) prompt engineering, (2) prompt improvement, (3) making prompts more effective, (4) prompt debugging. Triggers: "optimize prompt", "improve prompt", "better prompt", "fix prompt", "prompt engineering", "refine prompt", "enhance prompt"
What this skill does
# Optimize Prompt
Transform prompts into production-ready versions using prompt engineering best practices.
## When to Use
Use this skill when you need to:
- Improve an existing prompt's effectiveness
- Adapt a prompt for Claude's strengths
- Add structure and clarity to vague prompts
- Debug prompts that aren't working as expected
## Workflow
Invoke the `improve-prompt` skill for analysis and optimization.
### Input
$ARGUMENTS
### Analysis Framework
#### Step 1: Analyze Current Prompt
Evaluate for:
| Dimension | Check |
|-----------|-------|
| Clarity | Is the task unambiguous? |
| Completeness | Is all necessary context provided? |
| Structure | Is it well-organized? |
| Constraints | Are boundaries defined? |
| Examples | Are few-shot examples provided if needed? |
| Output format | Is expected output specified? |
#### Step 2: Identify Issues
Common problems to address:
- Vague instructions → Make specific
- Missing context → Add relevant background
- No output format → Specify structure
- No examples → Add few-shot demonstrations
- No constraints → Add guardrails
- Too long → Consolidate and prioritize
#### Step 3: Apply Claude-Specific Best Practices
**Structure:**
- Use XML tags for clear sections (`<context>`, `<task>`, `<output>`)
- Put important instructions at start AND end (primacy/recency effect)
- Use numbered steps for sequences
**Framing:**
- Use positive framing ("do X" not "don't do Y")
- Be specific about the persona/role if helpful
- Request step-by-step reasoning for complex tasks
**Output Control:**
- Specify exact output format with examples
- Use structured formats (JSON, XML, Markdown) for parsing
- Include edge case handling instructions
#### Step 4: Generate Optimized Prompt
Produce the improved version with:
- Clear structure using XML tags
- Explicit instructions
- Defined output format
- Examples if beneficial
## Output Format
```markdown
## Prompt Analysis
**Original prompt issues:**
1. [Issue 1 with specific example]
2. [Issue 2 with specific example]
**Improvements applied:**
1. [Improvement 1 and rationale]
2. [Improvement 2 and rationale]
---
## Optimized Prompt
[The improved prompt, ready to copy]
---
## Usage Notes
- **Best for**: [model/use case recommendations]
- **Expected output**: [description of what the prompt produces]
- **Variations**: [suggested modifications for different contexts]
```
## Quality Gates
- [ ] All ambiguities in original prompt resolved
- [ ] Output format explicitly specified
- [ ] Appropriate length (not bloated with unnecessary content)
- [ ] Edge cases considered and handled
- [ ] Claude-specific techniques applied where beneficial
- [ ] Prompt is self-contained (doesn't require external context)
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