50 ChatGPT Prompts That Actually Work (2026)

TL;DR

50 prompts organized by category
Each one explained: what it does and when to use it
Copy, paste, and adapt to your case
Works on ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and other LLMs

How to Use This List

Find the prompt you need by category
Copy the text (it’s in code blocks)
Adapt the parts in [brackets] to your case
Iterate if the result isn’t perfect

These prompts are designed to be starting points, not magic formulas.

Productivity and Work

1. Summarize long documents

Summarize this document in 5 key points. For each point:
- One sentence capturing the main idea
- Why it matters
- Recommended action if applicable

Document: [paste the text]

2. Convert chaotic notes into structured document

I have these messy notes from a meeting. Convert them into a structured document with:
- Executive summary (3 lines)
- Decisions made
- Action items (who, what, when)
- Open topics

Notes: [paste your notes]

3. Write professional emails

Write a professional but warm email for [situation].

Context: [explain the situation]
Tone: [formal/informal/direct]
Goal: [what you want to achieve]
Constraints: [length, things to avoid]

4. Prepare meetings

I'm going to have a meeting about [topic] with [people].

Prepare for me:
1. Suggested agenda (30/60 min)
2. Key questions to answer
3. Possible objections and how to address them
4. Ideal next step after the meeting

Additional context: [relevant information]

5. Analyze data without Excel

Analyze this data and give me:
- Main trends
- Anomalies or outliers
- 3 actionable insights
- Suggested visualization (describe what chart would be useful)

Data: [paste table or CSV]

6. Create SOPs (procedures)

Create a standard operating procedure for [task].

Include:
- Purpose of the procedure
- Prerequisites
- Numbered steps (with suggested screenshots)
- Common errors and how to avoid them
- Success criteria

Context: [describe the current process]

7. Constructive feedback

Help me give constructive feedback about [situation].

The feedback should:
- Start with something genuinely positive
- Be specific, not general
- Focus on behaviors, not people
- Include improvement suggestion
- End with support

Situation: [describe what happened]

Writing and Content

8. Improve existing text

Improve this text while keeping my voice. Don't rewrite it completely.

Focus on:
- Clarity (is it understood first time?)
- Conciseness (are there extra words?)
- Flow (does it read well out loud?)

Original text: [paste your text]

9. Overcome writer’s block

I need to write about [topic] but don't know where to start.

Give me:
1. 5 different angles to approach it
2. An opening paragraph for each angle
3. Questions the reader would want answered

Context: [audience, tone, expected length]

10. Create engaging titles

Generate 10 titles for an article about [topic].

Criteria:
- Specific, not generic
- Promise clear value
- No deceptive clickbait
- Varied in structure (question, list, how-to, etc.)

Topic: [describe the content]

11. Adapt content to different formats

I have this long content. Adapt it to:
1. Tweet/short post (280 characters)
2. LinkedIn post (paragraph + 3 points)
3. Newsletter email (informal, personal)
4. Presentation summary (5 bullets)

Content: [paste the text]

12. Create article outlines

Create a detailed outline for an article about [topic].

Structure:
- H2s and H3s with provisional titles
- 2-3 points to cover in each section
- Word count estimate per section
- Where to include examples/data

Audience: [who will read it]
Goal: [what should they learn/do after]

Programming and Code

13. Explain existing code

Explain what this code does as if I were a junior developer.

Include:
- General purpose
- What each important block does
- Possible improvements
- Edge cases that might fail

Code: [paste the code]

14. Assisted debugging

This code should [expected behavior] but instead [actual behavior].

Code: [paste the code]
Error (if any): [error message]
What I already tried: [previous attempts]

Help me identify the problem and propose a solution.

15. Convert between languages

Convert this code from [source language] to [target language].

Requirements:
- Keep the exact functionality
- Use idiomatic conventions of the target language
- Comment parts that change significantly

Code: [paste the code]

16. Generate tests

Generate unit tests for this function.

Include:
- Normal cases
- Edge cases
- Expected error cases
- Necessary mocks

Framework: [Jest/Pytest/etc.]
Function: [paste the code]

17. Code review

Review this code as a senior developer.

Evaluate:
- Readability and maintainability
- Possible bugs or race conditions
- Performance
- Security
- Adherence to best practices

Be specific. State line and what you'd change.

Code: [paste the code]

18. Document code

Generate documentation for this code.

Include:
- Docstring/JSDoc for each function
- Usage example
- Description of parameters and return
- Notes on special cases

Style: [NumPy/Google/JSDoc]
Code: [paste the code]

Learning and Study

19. Explain complex concepts

Explain [concept] in 3 different ways:
1. As if I were 10 years old (simple analogies)
2. As a college student (technical but educational)
3. As an expert (deep, with nuances)

Then give me 3 questions to verify I understood it.

20. Create study plans

I want to learn [topic] starting from [current level].

Goal: [what I want to be able to do]
Available time: [hours/week]
Preferences: [videos/books/practice]

Create a [duration] plan with:
- Weekly milestones
- Specific resources (free first)
- Practical projects
- How to measure progress

21. Automatic flashcards

Generate 15 study flashcards about [topic].

Format:
Question: [concrete question]
Answer: [brief, memorable answer]
Context: [when/why it's important]

Level: [beginner/intermediate/advanced]

22. Simulate exams

Act as an examiner for [subject].

Ask me 10 progressive questions (easy → hard).
After each of my answers:
- Evaluate if it's correct
- Explain what was missing if incorrect
- Add a relevant extra fact

Start when I say "ready".

23. Summarize papers/technical articles

Summarize this academic paper for someone who isn't an expert.

Structure:
- Problem it solves (1 paragraph)
- Methodology (simplified)
- Key results (bullets)
- Acknowledged limitations
- Practical implications

Paper: [paste abstract + introduction + conclusions]

Creativity and Brainstorming

24. Generate business ideas

Generate 10 business ideas based on:

My skills: [list]
Sectors I'm interested in: [list]
Maximum investment: [amount]
Available time: [full-time/side project]

For each idea:
- Value proposition in 1 line
- How it monetizes
- First step to validate

25. Solve problems creatively

I have this problem: [describe the problem]

Give me solutions using these approaches:
1. What would I do with unlimited resources?
2. What would I do if I had to solve it in 24h?
3. How would an 8-year-old solve it?
4. What if I had to do the opposite?
5. How would [relevant famous person] approach it?

26. Character development (writing)

Help me develop a character for [type of story].

Starting point: [basic concept]

Generate:
- Background (childhood, formative events)
- Deep motivation (not superficial)
- Fatal flaw
- How they'll change in the story
- Distinctive voice (dialogue example)

27. Names and naming

I need names for [product/company/project].

Criteria:
- Easy to pronounce in [languages]
- .com domain preferably available
- Evokes: [sensations/values]
- Avoids: [negative associations]

Give me 20 options with brief justification for each.

Analysis and Decisions

28. Structured pros and cons

Analyze this decision: [describe the decision]

For each option, give me:
- 5 pros (with weight: high/medium/low)
- 5 cons (with weight)
- Hidden risks
- What information I'm missing to decide better

Options: [list the alternatives]

29. Devil’s advocate

I'm going to make this decision: [describe]

Your role: destroy my argument. Find:
- Logical flaws
- Unproven assumptions
- Risks I'm ignoring
- Alternatives I haven't considered
- Uncomfortable questions I should ask myself

Be aggressive but constructive.

30. Competitive analysis

Analyze [competitor] compared to [your product/service].

Structure:
- What they do better than us
- What we do better than them
- Where there's uncovered opportunity
- Their possible next moves
- How we could differentiate more

Available information: [what you know]

31. Project post-mortem

Do a post-mortem of this project/situation:

What happened: [describe]
Result: [success/failure/mixed]

Analyze:
- What went well (to repeat)
- What went wrong (to avoid)
- What we would have done differently with current info
- Concrete lessons for the future

Communication and Relationships

32. Prepare difficult conversations

I need to have a difficult conversation about [topic] with [person/role].

My goal: [what I want to achieve]
My concern: [what I'm afraid of]
History: [relationship context]

Give me:
- Opening script (first 2-3 sentences)
- Key points to communicate
- Responses to possible reactions
- How to close the conversation

33. Translate technical jargon

Translate this technical explanation for [non-technical audience].

Rules:
- Zero jargon or unexplained acronyms
- Use everyday life analogies
- Maximum 3 paragraphs
- Include why they should care

Technical text: [paste]

34. Respond to criticism/complaints

I received this criticism/complaint: [paste]

Help me respond in a way that:
- Acknowledges the problem genuinely
- Isn't defensive
- Offers concrete solution
- Maintains the relationship

Context: [relationship with the person, history]

Meta Prompts (about prompts)

35. Improve your own prompts

Analyze this prompt I wrote and improve it:

My prompt: [paste your prompt]

Evaluate:
- Is what I'm asking clear?
- Is important context missing?
- Is the output format defined?
- Are there ambiguities?

Give me improved version and explain the changes.

36. Create reusable prompts

I need a reusable prompt for [recurring task].

Requirements:
- Clear variables in [brackets]
- Instructions that work with different inputs
- Consistent output format

Task: [describe what you do repeatedly]

Specialized Prompts

37. SWOT Analysis

Do a SWOT analysis of [company/project/idea].

Available information: [what you know]

For each quadrant, give me 5 specific points (not generic).
At the end: 3 strategies combining strengths with opportunities.

38. OKRs and goals

Help me define OKRs for [team/project/personal].

Context: [current situation]
Horizon: [quarter/year]

For each objective:
- The Objective (inspirational, qualitative)
- 3-4 Key Results (measurable, specific)
- Suggested initiatives

39. Prepare job interviews

I'm going to interview for [position] at [company].

Prepare for me:
1. 10 likely questions with model answers
2. 5 questions I should ask
3. Research I should do before
4. Signs the job is good/bad

My background: [CV summary]

40. Salary negotiation

I'm going to negotiate my salary for [position].

My situation:
- Current offer: [amount]
- My goal: [amount]
- Alternatives: [other offers/staying]

Give me:
- Leverage points
- Negotiation script
- How to handle objections
- When to accept vs keep negotiating

For Daily Life

41. Plan trips

Plan a trip to [destination] for [duration].

Traveler profile: [adventurous/relaxed/cultural/etc.]
Budget: [range]
Interests: [list]
Restrictions: [mobility/diet/etc.]

Give me day-by-day itinerary with:
- Activities with schedules
- Cost estimates
- Local tips
- Alternatives if it rains

42. Recipes with what I have

I have these ingredients: [list]

Give me 3 recipes I can make with that.
For each:
- Prep time
- Difficulty
- Clear steps
- Possible substitutions

Restrictions: [vegetarian/gluten-free/etc.]

43. Resolve domestic conflicts

I have this recurring conflict: [describe]

People involved: [relationship]
History: [context]

Help me:
- Understand the other's perspective
- Identify the real problem (not the symptom)
- Propose a win-win solution
- Prevent it from happening again

44. Explain things to kids

Explain [concept] to a [age]-year-old child.

Use:
- Simple words
- Analogies from their world (games, school, family)
- Maximum 3 paragraphs
- One question to verify understanding

45. Personal letters and messages

Help me write a [letter/message] for [person].

Occasion: [birthday/apology/thank you/etc.]
Our relationship: [describe]
Tone: [formal/warm/emotional]
Things I want to include: [points]

Make it sound like ME, not a generic template.

Advanced Prompts

46. Chain of thought

Solve this problem step by step, showing your reasoning:

[Problem]

For each step:
1. What information you're using
2. What you're assuming
3. How you reach the conclusion
4. What could be wrong

At the end, verify your answer by another route.

47. Multiple perspectives

Analyze [topic/decision] from these perspectives:

1. Optimist: what's the best case?
2. Pessimist: what's the worst case?
3. Pragmatist: what's the most likely case?
4. Contrarian: what if everyone's wrong?

Then: what perspective do I usually ignore?

48. Expert role

Act as a [specific expert] with 20 years of experience.

Your style:
- [describe how that expert communicates]
- [specific jargon they would use]
- [type of examples they would give]

Maintain the role throughout the conversation.
First topic: [question]

49. Socratic method

I want to understand [topic] better.

Don't give me direct answers. Instead:
- Ask me questions that make me think
- When I answer, go deeper with more questions
- Guide me to discover the answer myself
- Only confirm/correct when I reach conclusions

Begin.

50. Integrator

I have several information sources about [topic]:

Source 1: [paste or summarize]
Source 2: [paste or summarize]
Source 3: [paste or summarize]

Give me:
- Synthesis of common points
- Contradictions between sources
- What no source covers
- Integrated conclusion

Final Tips

What makes an effective prompt

Context: Explain the situation
Clear task: Verb + object + constraints
Format: Specify how you want the response
Examples: If complex, show one
Constraints: What it should NOT do

Common mistakes

Prompts too vague (“help me with this”)
Not iterating (expecting perfection on first try)
Not giving enough context
Asking too much in a single prompt

If you’re not sure which AI to use, or prefer free options, check out the best free AI tools in 2026. And if you want to go deeper into prompt techniques, read my prompt engineering guide.