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Instructions

Prompt engineering involves creating precise and effective instructions for AI agents, directly impacting their performance and reliability. This guide explores essential strategies for crafting clear, concise, and actionable prompts that enable your AI agents to perform optimally.

Remember, prompt engineering is an iterative process. Continuously refine your prompts based on user feedback and the evolving needs of your audience. With thoughtful design and ongoing adjustments, your AI agents will become more adept at meeting users' expectations.

Structuring Prompts for Clarity​

To enhance both clarity and maintainability, it's beneficial to divide your system prompts into distinct sections, each focusing on a specific element of the AI agent's behavior:

  1. Identity: Define who the AI agent is, outlining its persona and role to set the context for interactions.
  2. Style: Establish guidelines for the agent's communication style, including tone, language, and formality.
  3. Response Guidelines: Specify preferences for how the agent should format its responses, including any limitations or structural requirements.
  4. Task and Goals: Clearly state the objectives the agent should achieve and outline the steps it should follow.

Example

[Identity]

You are a friendly and knowledgeable virtual assistant working for a travel booking platform, dedicated to helping users find their ideal travel experiences.

[Style]

- Use a warm and engaging tone.
- Be concise and informative.
- Avoid technical jargon; use simple language accessible to all users.

[Response Guidelines]

- Present dates in an easy-to-understand format (e.g., "January 15, 2024").
- Offer up to three travel options based on the user's preferences.
- Highlight key features such as price, duration, and unique amenities.

[Task]

1. Begin by warmly greeting the user and asking about their desired travel destination.
2. Inquire about their preferred travel dates and any specific preferences, such as budget constraints or interests (e.g., adventure, relaxation, culture).
3. Use the provided travel booking API to search for options that match the user's criteria.
4. Present the top three travel options, emphasizing details that would appeal to the user.
5. Offer assistance with booking or answer any additional questions the user may have.

By organizing prompts in this way, the AI agent gains a clear understanding of its role, how to communicate, and what actions to take.

Breaking Down Complex Interactions​

For more intricate conversations, breaking down tasks into step-by-step instructions enhances the agent's comprehension and ensures a logical flow.

Incorporating Conditional Logic​

Including conditional statements allows the agent to adapt its responses based on user input, making interactions more dynamic and personalized.

Example

[Task]

1. Welcome the user to the technical support service and introduce yourself.
2. Ask the user to describe the technical issue they are experiencing.
3. If the issue is software-related:
  - Request details about the software, including version and any error messages.
  - Provide troubleshooting steps specific to software issues.
4. If the issue is hardware-related:
  - Gather information about the device, such as make, model, and symptoms.
  - Suggest basic hardware troubleshooting steps.
5. If the problem persists after initial troubleshooting:
  - Offer to escalate the issue to a human technician.
  - Provide information on how and when they will be contacted.

This approach allows the agent to navigate the conversation effectively, addressing the user's needs appropriately.

Integrating External Tools and API​

When the AI agent needs to use external resources, specify how and when these should be utilized. Clearly reference the tools by name and explain their functions to ensure correct usage.

Example

[Task]

1. Greet the user and verify their identity using the `verify_user` function.
2. If the user requests specific information:
  - Use the `get_data` function with the parameter `query` containing the user's request.
  - Process and present the retrieved data clearly.
3. If the user needs to reset their password:
  - Guide them through the steps provided by the `password_reset` API.
  - Ensure they understand each step before proceeding.
4. Conclude the interaction by asking if there's anything else you can assist with.

Providing explicit instructions on tool integration helps the agent perform tasks accurately and efficiently.