refine-promptlisted
Install: claude install-skill iliaal/whetstone
# Refining Prompts
## Process
1. **Assess** — Identify what the prompt is missing:
| Element | Check |
|---------|-------|
| Task | Is the core action explicit and unambiguous? |
| Constraints | Are length, format, tone, and scope defined? |
| Output format | Does it specify the expected structure? |
| Context | Does the model have enough background to act? |
| Examples | Would a demonstration clarify the expected output? |
| Edge cases | Are failure modes and boundary conditions addressed? |
2. **Rewrite** — Transform into specification language: precise, imperative, no filler. Treat the prompt as a spec, not conversation.
3. **Validate** — Check the rewrite against the assessment table. Every gap identified in step 1 must be addressed.
## Rules
- **Length**: 0.75x–1.5x the original. Conciseness is a feature — add only what's missing, cut what's vague.
- **Never invent** — only use information present in the original prompt or conversation context. If critical info is missing, ask instead of assuming.
- **Instruction hierarchy** — order sections by priority: task → constraints → examples → input data → output format. Place the most important instruction first.
- **Progressive complexity** — start with the simplest prompt that could work. Add few-shot examples, chain-of-thought, or role framing only when the task demands it, not by default.
- **Specific verbs** — replace vague actions ("analyze", "process", "handle") with measurable ones ("list the top 3", "classify as