Prompt Optimizer

Overview

Optimize vague prompts into precise, actionable specifications using EARS (Easy Approach to Requirements Syntax) - a Rolls-Royce methodology for transforming natural language into structured, testable requirements.

Methodology inspired by: This skill's approach to combining EARS with domain theory grounding was inspired by 阿星AI工作室 (A-Xing AI Studio), which demonstrated practical EARS application for prompt enhancement.

Four-layer enhancement process:

•EARS syntax transformation - Convert descriptive language to normative specifications
•Domain theory grounding - Apply relevant industry frameworks (GTD, BJ Fogg, Gestalt, etc.)
•Example extraction - Surface concrete use cases with real data
•Structured prompt generation - Format using Role/Skills/Workflows/Examples/Formats framework

When to Use

Apply when:

•User provides vague feature requests ("build a dashboard", "create a reminder app")
•Requirements lack specific conditions, triggers, or measurable outcomes
•Natural language descriptions need conversion to testable specifications
•User explicitly requests prompt optimization or requirement refinement

Six-Step Optimization Workflow

Step 1: Analyze Original Requirement

Identify weaknesses:

•Overly broad - "Add user authentication" → Missing password requirements, session management
•Missing triggers - "Send notifications" → Missing when/why notifications trigger
•Ambiguous actions - "Make it user-friendly" → No measurable usability criteria
•No constraints - "Process payments" → Missing security, compliance requirements

Step 2: Apply EARS Transformation

Convert requirements to EARS patterns. See references/ears_syntax.md for complete syntax rules.

Five core patterns:

•Ubiquitous: The system shall <action>
•Event-driven: When <trigger>, the system shall <action>
•State-driven: While <state>, the system shall <action>
•Conditional: If <condition>, the system shall <action>
•Unwanted behavior: If <condition>, the system shall prevent <unwanted action>

Quick example:

code

Before: "Create a reminder app with task management"

After (EARS):
1. When user creates a task, the system shall guide decomposition into executable sub-tasks
2. When task deadline is within 30 minutes AND user has not started, the system shall send notification with sound alert
3. When user completes a sub-task, the system shall update progress and provide positive feedback

Transformation checklist:

• Identify implicit conditions and make explicit
• Specify triggering events or states
• Use precise action verbs (shall, must, should)
• Add measurable criteria ("within 30 minutes", "at least 8 characters")
• Break compound requirements into atomic statements
• Remove ambiguous language ("user-friendly", "fast")

Step 3: Identify Domain Theories

Match requirements to established frameworks. See references/domain_theories.md for full catalog.

Common domain mappings:

•Productivity → GTD, Pomodoro, Eisenhower Matrix
•Behavior Change → BJ Fogg Model (B=MAT), Atomic Habits
•UX Design → Hick's Law, Fitts's Law, Gestalt Principles
•Security → Zero Trust, Defense in Depth, Privacy by Design

Selection process:

•Identify primary domain from requirement keywords
•Match to 2-4 complementary theories
•Apply theory principles to specific features
•Cite theories in enhanced prompt for credibility

Step 4: Extract Concrete Examples

Generate specific examples with real data:

•User scenarios: "When user logs in on mobile device..."
•Data examples: "Product: 'Laptop', Price: $999, Stock: 15"
•Workflow examples: "Task: Write report → Sub-tasks: Research (2h), Draft (3h), Edit (1h)"

Examples must be realistic, specific, varied (success/error/edge cases), and testable.

Step 5: Generate Enhanced Prompt

Structure using the standard framework:

markdown

# Role
[Specific expert role with domain expertise]

## Skills
- [Core capability 1]
- [Core capability 2]
[List 5-8 skills aligned with domain theories]

## Workflows
1. [Phase 1] - [Key activities]
2. [Phase 2] - [Key activities]
[Complete step-by-step process]

## Examples
[Concrete examples with real data, not placeholders]

## Formats
[Precise output specifications:
- File types, structure requirements
- Design/styling expectations
- Technical constraints
- Deliverable checklist]

Quality criteria:

•Role specificity: "Product designer specializing in time management apps" > "Designer"
•Theory grounding: Reference frameworks explicitly
•Actionable workflows: Clear inputs/outputs and decision points
•Concrete examples: Real data, not "Example 1", "Example 2"
•Measurable formats: Specific requirements, not "good design"

Step 6: Present Optimization Results

Output in structured format:

markdown

## Original Requirement
[User's vague requirement]

**Identified Issues:**
- [Issue 1: e.g., "Lacks specific trigger conditions"]
- [Issue 2: e.g., "No measurable success criteria"]

## EARS Transformation
[Numbered list of EARS-formatted requirements]

## Domain & Theories
**Primary Domain:** [e.g., Authentication Security]

**Applicable Theories:**
- **[Theory 1]** - [Brief relevance]
- **[Theory 2]** - [Brief relevance]

## Enhanced Prompt
[Complete Role/Skills/Workflows/Examples/Formats prompt]

---

**How to use:**
[Brief guidance on applying the prompt]

Advanced Techniques

For complex scenarios, see references/advanced_techniques.md:

•Multi-stakeholder requirements - EARS statements for each user type
•Non-functional requirements - Performance, security, scalability with quantified thresholds
•Complex conditional logic - Nested conditions with boolean operators

Quick Reference

Do's: ✅ Break down compound requirements (one EARS statement per requirement) ✅ Specify measurable criteria (numbers, timeframes, percentages) ✅ Include error/edge cases ✅ Ground in established theories ✅ Use concrete examples with real data

Don'ts: ❌ Avoid vague language ("fast", "user-friendly") ❌ Don't assume implicit knowledge ❌ Don't mix multiple actions in one statement ❌ Don't use placeholders in examples

Resources

Load these reference files as needed:

•references/ears_syntax.md - Complete EARS syntax rules, all 5 patterns, transformation guidelines, benefits
•references/domain_theories.md - 40+ theories mapped to 10 domains (productivity, UX, gamification, learning, e-commerce, security, etc.)
•references/examples.md - Four complete transformation examples (procrastination app, e-commerce product page, learning dashboard, password reset security) with before/after comparisons and reusable template
•references/advanced_techniques.md - Multi-stakeholder requirements, non-functional specs, complex conditional logic patterns

When to load references:

•EARS syntax clarification needed → ears_syntax.md
•Domain theory selection requires extensive options → domain_theories.md
•User requests multiple optimization examples → examples.md
•Complex requirements with multiple stakeholders or non-functional specs → advanced_techniques.md