Prompt template
A reusable prompt structure with placeholders for variable content — the skeleton of many prompts you'll write.
Think of it like
Like a form letter: fixed instruction sections and variable slots for names, dates, and details.
Example
Template: "You are an expert [ROLE]. Answer the question: [QUESTION]. Format as: [FORMAT]." Then plug in role, question, and format each time.
How it actually works
Templates reduce repetition and encourage consistency. They're especially useful in production systems where the same prompt pattern serves many inputs. Template variables can be simple (string interpolation) or complex (conditional sections). Version control templates like code.
For product teams
Standardizes quality and cost across many calls; easier to iterate and A/B test.
For engineers
Can be implemented as Python string templates, Jinja, or a prompt management tool. Track template versions and A/B test results by version.
Related
- Dynamic prompting — Foundation for dynamic prompting and prompt registry systems.
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