I use Claude every day — this is the single prompt that will make a huge difference
And, in my time using it, I have found a prompt that works for almost any situation. This is a prompt that has come from a mixture of using chatbots for years and discussing with Claude what it is most looking for in a prompt for maximum performance.
From there, it has created a template that I have used time and time again. It allows you to decide how much information you get, where its focus is applied and how much the chatbot uses its external tools like web access.
You are an expert [DOMAIN/ROLE] assistant. Your task is to [SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE].
**Context:**
[Provide relevant background, constraints, or situation]
**Requirements:**
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
- [Specific requirement 1]
- [Specific requirement 2]
- [Output format preference]
- [Any constraints or limitations]
**Please [ACTION VERB] by:**
1. [Step 1 - what to do first]
2. [Step 2 - next action]
3. [Step 3 - final deliverable]
[SPECIFIC QUESTION OR REQUEST]
**Additional guidance:**
[Any clarifications, examples, or edge cases to consider]
At first glance, there is a lot going on there. However, this really is a template, and all you have to do is fill in the gaps with exactly what you are looking for.
For example, I used this recently to research a new topic I wanted to learn more about. For this, I filled in the template like this:
You are an expert research assistant. Your task is to research the advancement of AI between the years of 2023 and 2025.
**Context:**
Writing this information as a report to help a journalist on a new project they are looking into. It should be detailed, and focus primarily on chatbots and productivity tools.
**Requirements:**
- 1000 words at most
- Include sources and further reading
- Give a balanced report, analyzing both positive and negative information
- Include some statistics
**Please research by:**
1. Analyzing the research that is out there using all of the tools at your disposal
2. Compile this information into an easy-to-understand report
3. Come up with a conclusion along with a report to show an overall understanding
This prompt isn't the quickest way to prompt for Claude, but it consistently offers fantastic results. If you just want to ask a quick question or get a solution to an easy question, you can skip all of this preamble.
However, for big requests, this is a sure-fire way to get a good response from Claude. In the example I gave above, Claude searched the internet, compiling an incredibly detailed report on the AI chatbot rise.
It was phrased for a journalist looking into the topic, hit all of my requirements, and gave me a long list of sources, further readings, and a useful conclusion that summarized all of the reading in a quick format.
This kind of prompt is also going to work on most chatbots, including ChatGPT. It approaches AI in the logical way that they are designed to understand.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
I Asked ChatGPT To Give Me the ‘Cheat Code' for Making the Most of My Money: Here's What It Said
If managing money feels like trying to beat a boss level with no walkthrough, you're not alone. Many people work hard but still feel stuck in the same place financially. So the idea of a 'cheat code,' like having a simple, strategic way to make money work harder, feels tempting. Read Next: Explore More: GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT to outline the most effective habits and tools that can stretch, grow and protect income over time. The goal is not to get rich overnight, but to play smarter with what you earn. So this is the cheat code for making the most of your money, according to ChatGPT. Also see seven tricks to make the most of your bank accounts. Automate Everything You Can ChatGPT put automation at the top of the list. That means setting up automatic transfers into a high-yield savings account, scheduling bill payments and directing part of each paycheck to investments. Services like Wealthfront and Betterment help users auto-invest based on risk preferences. The same goes for investing apps like Fidelity and Vanguard, which let you schedule regular deposits into index funds. Using budgeting tools can help you track spending and catch leaks before they drain your account. 'Automating your money removes emotion and inconsistency from your finances. It's the closest thing to passive self-discipline,' ChatGPT explained. Check Out: Live Below Your Means, Aggressively Living below your means isn't about being cheap; it's about being strategic. ChatGPT suggested tracking every dollar, capping lifestyle creep and viewing minimalist living as a strength. The less you spend, the faster you build a surplus. To do so, it recommended learning how to budget. 'You don't need to track pennies to win at budgeting. What matters most is having a repeatable system,' ChatGPT said. It recommended two simple methods: The 50/30/20 rule: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, 20% for savings or debt Zero-based budgeting: Assign every dollar a job. Apps like YNAB and Goodbudget can help users stick to a plan without getting overwhelmed. Invest Early — Even With Small Amounts Compound interest is the real cheat code. ChatGPT explained that investing early, even small amounts, can grow into a large sum over time. Consistency is key. Put money into broad-market exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or index funds, use tax-advantaged accounts like a Roth IRA, and always reinvest dividends. The sooner you start, the more time your money has to multiply, and history shows this approach beats trying to time the market. Starting small is often better than waiting for the 'right' time. 'Time beats timing. The earlier you invest, the more compound interest works in your favor,' according to ChatGPT. Build an Emergency Buffer One overlooked cheat code is having money set aside for surprises. Surprises happen, and an emergency fund is your financial firewall. ChatGPT recommended saving three to six months' worth of expenses in a high-yield savings account. This cash cushion keeps you from dipping into investments or racking up debt when life throws a curveball. Having this safety net reduces stress and prevents financial setbacks from turning into disasters. Learn How To Maximize Credit, Without Debt Credit isn't just about borrowing. It affects interest rates, housing applications and even job offers. 'Treat your credit score like a tool, not a trap. Use it to access better terms, not unnecessary purchases,' ChatGPT said. That includes paying bills on time, keeping utilization under 30% and regularly reviewing your free credit reports. Strategic use of cash-back cards can also put money back into your pocket, if paid off monthly. Debt with high interest, like credit cards, can quietly eat away at your wealth. If you currently have debt, ChatGPT suggested using either the avalanche method (tackle the debt with the highest interest rate first) or the snowball method (pay off the smallest balances for quick wins). Refinancing or consolidating debt can also help if your credit score allows. Don't Just Save — Earn More Strategically Cutting expenses has limits. Earning more often delivers faster growth. ChatGPT highlighted a growing trend: 'Monetizing skills online, through freelancing, content creation, or digital products, is more accessible than ever.' Instead of chasing endless gigs, ChatGPT said to focus on building high-value skills — think coding, digital marketing or sales. With these skills, you can negotiate raises or land better jobs, which is often more sustainable than juggling multiple side hustles. Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork and Teachable let users build scalable side income, turning time or knowledge into long-term assets. It's not passive at first, but it can become hands-off with the right systems. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard 6 Popular SUVs That Aren't Worth the Cost -- and 6 Affordable Alternatives 7 Things You'll Be Happy You Downsized in Retirement This article originally appeared on I Asked ChatGPT To Give Me the 'Cheat Code' for Making the Most of My Money: Here's What It Said Solve the daily Crossword
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
Microsoft CEO makes bold statement on company's future
In a candid memo released July 24, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella addressed what he called the issue "weighing heavily" on him: the company's ongoing layoffs. More than 15,000 Microsoft employees have been let go in 2025 alone, as part of what Nadella described as a necessary but painful restructuring in the age of AI. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The company also cut nearly 2,000 additional staff deemed "low performers" earlier this year. "I want to speak to what's been weighing heavily on me, and what I know many of you are thinking about: the recent job eliminations," he wrote. Related: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says that ChatGPT is not the way to superintelligence Recall Nadella wrote a similar note in 2023 - shortly after the company paused raises and announced its first significant layoffs of the post-pandemic era. He faced criticism at the time for placing too much focus on the company's outperformance without acknowledging those difficult moves. Despite the cuts, investors have rewarded Microsoft's leaner operating model. The company's stock closed above $500 for the first time on July 9, a symbolic milestone that arguably underscores Wall Street's growing faith in Microsoft's AI strategy. In his July memo, Nadella used stark language to describe the current environment, stating: "This is the enigma of success in an industry that has no franchise value." "Progress isn't linear," he added. "It's dynamic, sometimes dissonant, and always demanding. But it's also a new opportunity for us to shape, lead through, and have greater impact than ever before." For the past decade, Microsoft (MSFT) has operated under a unifying purpose: to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. But Nadella says that vision now needs to evolve. Related: Analysts unveil bold Amazon stock price target before earnings "We must reimagine our mission for a new era," he wrote. "What does empowerment look like in the era of AI? It's not just about building tools for specific roles or tasks. It's about building tools that empower everyone to create their own tools." This shift reflects the company's broader transformation from a software-centric business to what Nadella calls an "intelligence engine empowering every person and organization to build whatever they need to achieve." Microsoft's strategy hinges on positioning itself at the center of the AI value chain. Its Azure cloud platform is rapidly becoming the infrastructure of choice for AI workloads. OpenAI, as well as other major AI labs and enterprises, use Microsoft's GPU-centric cloud services to train and deploy large models. Copilot, Microsoft's generative AI assistant, has also been integrated into Office, GitHub, and enterprise software suites. More Tech Stocks: Amazon tries to make AI great again (or maybe for the first time)Veteran portfolio manager raises eyebrows with latest Meta Platforms moveGoogle plans major AI shift after Meta's surprising $14 billion move By reframing Microsoft as a platform that enables AI-native innovation, Nadella aims to extend the company's dominance beyond cloud and productivity into the AI-native economy. Nadella's statement marks a strategic realignment that mirrors an entire industry in transition. As Microsoft retools its mission, the world is watching to see if it can balance innovation, values, and leadership in one of the most disruptive technological shifts in history. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Entrepreneur
2 hours ago
- Entrepreneur
Learn How to Use ChatGPT to Automate Your Business
Streamline operations, boost productivity, and future-proof your skills with 25+ hours of hands-on training for just $19.97. Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. Smart professionals aren't just learning to use AI — they're using it to take back their time. If your day is filled with repetitive tasks, disjointed workflows, or too many tools that don't talk to each other, this ChatGPT and Automation E-Degree could be the pivot point you need. Designed for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and business pros, this $19.97 course bundle covers more than 25 hours of hands-on training across 12 lectures. You'll go beyond the basics of ChatGPT and explore how more than 20 top AI tools can help you solve real-world challenges in business, marketing, and development. From building customized GPT workflows to automating routine processes and visualizing data in a more impactful way, the content is tailored to actual use cases, not just theory. You'll learn how to communicate better with AI tools, use automation to streamline your workload, and even discover how generative AI can help with creativity for your brand or product. Even better, this deal includes lifetime access. That means you can return to the material whenever you're ready to tackle a new project or apply what you've learned in a new context. Whether you're looking to sharpen your tech skills, improve productivity, or future-proof your career, this course helps you get there with tools and strategies you can implement right away. Grab the full ChatGPT and Automation E-Degree on sale for $19.97 and start building a smarter, faster business. StackSocial prices subject to change.
