Structure prompts
How you structure a prompt can affect the model's ability to parse the information in the prompt.It also helps the model correctly interpret how to use the given information. To give structure to aprompt, you can use prefixes or XML tags to delimit different parts or components of a prompt.
Use prefixes to structure simple prompts
A prefix is a word or phrase followed by a colon to label the information in a prompt. In thefollowing example, "TASK:, "CLASSES:," and "OBJECTS:" are the prefixes.
TASK:Classify the OBJECTS.CLASSES:- Large- SmallOBJECTS:- Rhino- Mouse- Snail- Elephant - Rhino: Large- Mouse: Small- Snail: Small- Elephant: Large |
Use XML and other delimiters to structure complex prompts
For complex prompts, use XML and other delimiters to separate components of a prompt. You can useBEGIN andEND or{} section delimiters for complex andlengthy prompt components to clearly distinguish them from the actual instructions.
You are a chatbot agent answering customer's questions in a chat.Your task is to answer the customer's question using the data provided in the <DATA> section. - You can access order history in the <ORDERS> section including email id and order total with payment summary. - Refer to <ORDERLINES> for item level details within each order in <ORDERS>.Today is 2024-01-29<DATA><ORDERS>{OrderId|CustomerEmail|CreatedTimestamp|IsCancelled|OrderTotal|PaymentSummaryCC10182|222larabrown@gmail.com|2024-01-19|true|0.0|Not availableCC10183|baklavainthebalkans@gmail.com|2024-01-19|true|0.0|Not available}{...}...</ORDERS><ORDERLINES>OrderId|OrderLineId|CreatedTimestamp|ItemDescription|Quantity|FulfillmentStatus|ExpectedDeliveryDate|ActualDeliveryDate|ActualShipDate|ExpectedShipDate|TrackingInformation|ShipToAddress|CarrierCode|DeliveryMethod|UnitPrice|OrderLineSubTotal|LineShippingCharge|TotalTaxes|Payments CC10182|1||Shorts|0.0|unshipped|2024-01-31|2024-02-01|2024-01-30|2024-01-29||||ShipToAddress|115.99|0.0|0.0|0.0|...</ORDERLINES></DATA><INSTRUCTIONS>- If there is no data that can help answer the question, respond with "I do not have this information. Please contact customer service".- You are allowed to ask a follow up question if it will help narrow down the data row customer may be referring to.- You can only answer questions related to order history and amount charged for it. Include OrderId in the response, when applicable.- For everything else, please redirect to the customer service agent. - Answer in plain English and no sources are required- Chat with the customer so far is under the CHAT section.</INSTRUCTIONS>QUESTION: How much did I pay for my last order?ANSWER:What's next
- Explore more examples of prompts in thePrompt gallery.
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Last updated 2025-12-15 UTC.