Prompt Craft
Engineering prompts for different model architectures. The technique varies by model type.
Model Architectures
| Type | Examples | Technique |
|---|---|---|
| Autoregressive | Claude, GPT-4 | Chain-of-thought, structured reasoning |
| Reasoning/RL | Gemini Deep Think, o1, o3 | Search space constraints |
The same prompt optimized for Claude will underperform on o1, and vice versa.
Autoregressive Models (Claude, GPT-4)
These models generate token-by-token. They benefit from:
- •Chain-of-thought — "Think step by step"
- •Structured output — XML, JSON schemas
- •Role definition — persona and expertise
- •Examples — few-shot demonstrations
The model follows the path you lay out.
Reasoning Models (Deep Think, o1)
These models have internal reinforcement learning. They don't need you to tell them HOW to think — they need you to define WHERE to search.
Key insight: You're building a gym, not writing instructions.
The Constraint Philosophy
| Don't | Do |
|---|---|
| "Think step by step" | Define the destination |
| "Consider multiple options" | Force triangulation between named positions |
| "Be thorough" | Set electric fences (hard constraints) |
| "Check your work" | Define what failure looks like |
Core Patterns
Scenario Injection Abstract requests → specific high-stakes simulations.
| Abstract | Injected Scenario |
|---|---|
| "Check for bugs" | "Simulate a race condition in a high-frequency trading engine" |
| "Critique this plot" | "Rewrite the climax assuming the protagonist fails" |
| "Evaluate this team" | "The team just lost their lead engineer. What breaks first?" |
Triangulation Constraint Force the model to hold conflicting hypotheses simultaneously.
code
Simulate a debate: X wants speed, Y wants safety, Z wants simplicity. Synthesize a position that addresses all three.
Negative Constraints Remove easy outs.
- •NO happy paths (force failure handling)
- •NO hedging (force decisions)
- •NO generic advice (force specificity)
Technical Density Demand domain jargon to anchor the search space.
code
Use terms: idempotency, CRDTs, backpressure, eventual consistency
References
- •
references/deep-think.md— Full deep think prompting guide
When to Use This Skill
- •Engineering prompts for reasoning models (o1, Deep Think)
- •Optimizing existing prompts for different architectures
- •Designing agent system prompts
- •Creating evaluation criteria that force rigorous thinking