Prompt Types

Technical Prompting

New to prompting?
Before diving in, check out the prompt co-authoring guide and review the common mistakes. The LLM can help—but it mirrors assumptions too easily if you're not careful.

You can use the LLM to learn new software, write code, diagnose problems—even troubleshoot your dishwasher.

Even though I know how to code HTML & CSS, I used the bot to help create my entire website. It designed the logo, the flair, and wrote most of the HTML.

Context to consider when troubleshooting:

  • Model or version: Hardware model, software version, OS or browser
  • Error behavior: What exactly fails or breaks—does it crash, freeze, display wrong, or hang?
  • Reproducibility: Can you make it happen again? What triggers it?
  • Environment: Is it local, cloud-based, mobile, virtual machine, etc.?
  • Recent changes: Anything updated, moved, or reinstalled before the problem started?
  • Attempts so far: What did you already try that didn’t work?
  • Desired outcome: Be clear—do you want it fixed, understood, rewritten, bypassed?

Below are a few sample prompts to inspire you.

Appliance Diagnosis

Diagnose common mechanical issues based on noise, symptoms, and context. No tools assumed.

My clothes dryer has started making a loud clanging noise during the tumble cycle. It sounds like metal hitting metal and happens every time the drum rotates. I've already checked inside the drum and confirmed there's nothing loose tumbling around.

Here's what I can tell you:
– The dryer is [brand/model, if known]
– The noise started recently and has gotten louder
– The drum still turns and heat works fine

Help me diagnose the most likely mechanical causes. Use plain language. Prioritize common household repair issues like worn rollers, loose baffles, or a bad drum belt. Tell me how to confirm or rule out each issue using visual checks or physical feel—no special tools assumed. End with any safety warnings and advice about when it’s time to call a pro.
HTML Debugging

Troubleshoot layout problems when the page shifts unexpectedly despite working CSS elsewhere.

I’m debugging a broken HTML layout and need help identifying what’s pushing the main content down too far.

Attached:
- Screenshot showing the problem
- Full HTML of the page (below or in a separate file)

Issue:
On this page only, the content starts much lower than it should—well below the top of the sidebar.
The layout works fine on other pages using the same CSS.

Confirmed:
- Sidebar and main are inside a flex container
- No rogue margin or padding on major elements
- Header and flair render correctly
- No extra tags or top padding

See attached code and screenshot. What could be causing the vertical offset?
Look for broken tags, nesting issues, or layout shifts.
Photoshop: Replace Background

Build a realistic image by swapping cluttered indoor backgrounds for natural outdoor scenes using Photoshop desktop tools.

I’m using Photoshop (desktop) and want to remove the background from a photo and replace it with a new one.

Source: A person standing in front of a cluttered indoor background (see attached image). I want to isolate the subject and place them in a clean, natural setting—something like a forest path or sunlit park. I’m aiming for realism, not a cartoon or collage effect.

Help me build a step-by-step prompt to:
1. Remove the existing background cleanly  
2. Add a new background that matches lighting and shadows
3. Blend edges or refine hair if needed
4. Adjust color/lighting to make the composition believable

Also suggest what resolution or layer setup to use to keep the file flexible.