Your Ultimate Prompt Engineering Checklist (2025 Edition)

Why This Checklist Matters

AI isn’t magic, it’s a mirror. What you get out depends on what you put in. That’s where prompt engineering comes in. If you’re tired of vague, off-the-mark results from tools like ChatGPT, it’s not the AI, it’s the prompt.

This checklist outlines how to communicate with AI clearly, effectively, and purposefully, so it actually works for you. Save this. Use it. Please share it. And if you want to skip the guesswork? Prompt Builder makes this checklist automatic.

Pre-Prompt Prep

Before typing a single word, set the stage.

• Know Your Goal: Define the exact outcome you want, such as a blog post. Email draft? Code snippet? Be specific.

• Choose the Right Role: Decide who the AI should “act” as (e.g., lawyer, designer, developer). Role = tone + context.

• Gather Your Inputs: Pull in any reference links, data, brand voice examples, or past work to include.

• Clarify the Format: Would you like a list, table, paragraph, or outline? Tell it upfront.

During Prompt Writing

Time to build your ask.

• Start with a Clear Instruction: Begin with what you want: "Write," "Explain," "Summarize," "List," etc.

• Add Context Early: Include background info right after the command. Avoid saving it for later.

• Set Boundaries: Word count, tone, do's and don’ts, spell them out. AI loves constraints.

• Use Examples: Feed it examples of tone, format, or past outputs you liked. It learns fast.

• Ask for Structure: Want headers, bullet points, or sections? Say so.

Post-Prompt Follow-Ups

Got a rough draft? Now it’s time to refine.

• Review and Refine: Ask the AI to revise based on what’s missing or off. Be blunt.

• Chain Prompts Together: Break big tasks into smaller ones. One prompt per step = better results.

• Save Great Prompts: Reuse your winners. Build a library. Or let Prompt Builder do it for you.

• Audit for Bias or Gaps: Double-check for fairness, accuracy, and completeness to ensure thoroughness.

Bonus: Download or Try It Instantly

Don’t want to memorize this? We got you.

Or skip the checklist and use Prompt Builder to generate perfect prompts instantly, role, format, tone, and all.

Pro Tip: The better your prompt, the less editing later. Prompt Builder helps you get it right the first time.