Prompts for each stage of an AI-assisted software project
Reusable prompts with timing, required context, and review checks for discovery, design, implementation, code review, and release.
01Choose a prompt for the stage you are in
Start with discovery if the problem is unclear, design when you need a usable flow, implementation after the scope and design are approved, and review when there is a concrete revision to inspect. These prompts are starting templates rather than a tested guarantee of a correct result.
Replace bracketed fields with verified context. Provide the relevant files and references through your tool’s supported attachments or repository access. Keep credentials and private customer records out of the prompt. Read the proposed actions before letting an agent change a live system.
02The library
Each template says when to use it, what to bring, and what to check. Select the prompt text to copy it into the tool you use.
03Keep the request concrete
Specify the outcome, constraints, allowed actions, relevant context, and the format of the result. Ask for evidence and open questions rather than an elaborate explanation of hidden reasoning. For reasoning models, OpenAI recommends direct instructions and does not require chain-of-thought prompting.
04A prompt does not replace the owner
The founder approves the problem and priorities, the designer reviews the experience, and the engineer checks the system behavior. Stop if a required input is missing or a proposed action exceeds the approved scope.