Short version: 40 production-tested ChatGPT prompts organized by use case — writing (blog, email, LinkedIn, YouTube, ads), coding (debug, refactor, review), marketing (SEO, ads, hashtags), learning (Feynman, spaced repetition, syllabus), and life (interviews, negotiations, meal planning). Every prompt has role, context, task, and output format defined. Copy-paste and go.
The prompt structure that works in 2026
Every prompt below follows a four-part structure:
- Role — tells the AI who to be
- Context — background about your situation
- Task — what you want done
- Constraints + output format — how it should be structured
Skip any of the four and output quality drops noticeably. Full prompts below use all four.
Writing prompts
1. Long-form blog post
You are Piyush Jangir writing a 1,500-word blog post for stackpicks.dev.
Context: The blog is a curated open-source dev tools directory with an
opinionated voice. Readers are solo builders and indie developers.
Task: Write a blog post on [TOPIC].
Constraints:
- 1,500 words minimum
- Voice: direct, no buzzwords, show tradeoffs not just praise
- Never use: synergy, 10x, growth hack, disrupt, leverage as a verb, unlock, level up
- Include a short version at the top (3-4 sentences)
- 3-4 H2 sections with real specifics in each
- End with a specific CTA
Output as markdown.2. Cold outreach email
You are a B2B sales copywriter who has generated 500+ meetings from
cold outreach.
Context: I run a solo SaaS in [SPACE]. I want to reach out to
[TARGET COMPANY TYPE] to book demo calls.
Task: Write 3 cold email variants for reaching out to [ROLE] at
[COMPANY DESCRIPTION].
Constraints:
- Under 100 words each
- No "quick question" or "hope this finds you well" openers
- Specific pain point → specific value in first 2 sentences
- CTA is a low-commit yes/no question, not "grab time on my calendar"
Output as numbered list.3. LinkedIn post
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You are a LinkedIn writer with 100k+ followers who ships 3 posts a week.
Context: I am [YOUR ROLE] at [YOUR COMPANY]. Audience:
[YOUR AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION].
Task: Write 3 LinkedIn post variants about [TOPIC].
Constraints:
- Hook in the first line — a specific claim or a counterintuitive number
- 4-6 short paragraphs, each 1-2 sentences
- No emoji spam. One tasteful emoji per post max.
- End with a specific question that invites replies
- Under 1,000 characters (LinkedIn preferred length)
Output as numbered list of 3 posts.4. YouTube script hook
You are a YouTube script writer for creators averaging 100k+ views.
Task: Write 5 hook variants for a YouTube video titled [VIDEO TITLE].
Constraints:
- Each hook is 15 seconds of spoken content (about 40-50 words)
- First sentence must reference a specific promise, number, or
counterintuitive claim
- No "In this video" or "Today I'm going to show you"
- Should make the viewer feel they will regret clicking away
Output as numbered list.5. Google Ad headline set
You are a Google Ads copywriter with 8 years experience.
Context: I sell [PRODUCT] to [AUDIENCE]. Value prop:
[YOUR VALUE PROP IN ONE SENTENCE].
Task: Write 15 headline variants for a Google Search ad.
Constraints:
- Each under 30 characters
- Include a mix of benefit-focused, curiosity-driven, and price-anchored
- No trademark violations
- 5 should include a specific number
Output as numbered list.Coding prompts
6. Debug an error
You are a senior [LANGUAGE] engineer debugging production code.
Context: I am building [PROJECT DESCRIPTION]. I am getting this error:
[PASTE ERROR MESSAGE]
Task: Diagnose the root cause and propose a fix.
Constraints:
- Explain the root cause in 3 sentences
- Show the specific code change needed
- Flag any related bugs the same fix might trigger
- If additional context needed, ask 1 specific question
Output: root cause, fix, related concerns, then code.7. Refactor for readability
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You are a senior engineer known for readable, boring code.
Task: Refactor the following [LANGUAGE] code for readability.
Constraints:
- Preserve all existing behavior exactly
- Break up functions over 30 lines
- Extract magic numbers to named constants
- Add short inline comments only where the WHY is non-obvious
- No adding new features or "improvements" beyond readability
Code to refactor:
[PASTE CODE]
Output as the refactored code block only.8. Code review
You are a staff engineer reviewing a PR.
Task: Review this [LANGUAGE] code and flag issues.
Constraints:
- Group findings into three sections: correctness bugs, security issues,
style/reuse opportunities
- Under each finding: one-line summary + specific code reference
- Do not suggest style changes that are purely aesthetic
- If code is genuinely fine, say so
Code:
[PASTE CODE]
Output as structured markdown with the three sections.9. Explain a codebase pattern
You are explaining code to a mid-level developer.
Task: Explain what this code does and why the author structured it
this way.
Constraints:
- 4-6 sentence explanation
- Call out any non-obvious patterns
- Mention what would break if you removed key elements
- Skip explaining basic language syntax
Code:
[PASTE CODE]
Output as prose, no lists.Marketing prompts
10. SEO brief for a blog post
You are an SEO strategist producing content briefs.
Context: My site is [YOUR SITE]. I want to rank for the query
"[TARGET QUERY]".
Task: Produce a full SEO brief.
Constraints:
- Recommended H1 (under 65 characters)
- 5 H2 section headings
- Meta description (150-160 characters)
- 5 semantically related keywords to weave in
- 3 internal link opportunities from a typical blog structure
- Target word count based on top-ranking competitor length
Output as structured markdown brief.11. Instagram caption
You are an Instagram copywriter for creator brands.
Context: I run [YOUR ACCOUNT] about [YOUR TOPIC]. Audience:
[YOUR AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION].
Task: Write an Instagram caption for a post about [POST TOPIC].
Constraints:
- Hook in first line (before the "more" fold)
- Body: 3 punchy insights on separate lines
- CTA: a specific question or "comment KEYWORD for the link"
- Length: 1200-1800 characters
- 3-5 in-caption hashtags at end
- 1-2 emojis max, tasteful ones
Output the caption as ready-to-paste text.12. Ad copy variations
You are a paid ads copywriter who has scaled 8-figure campaigns.
Context: I sell [PRODUCT] at [PRICE POINT] to [AUDIENCE]. Key benefit:
[BENEFIT]. Key objection: [OBJECTION].
Task: Write 5 Facebook ad copy variations.
Constraints:
- Each 60-100 words
- Different angles: pain, gain, story, proof, question
- No "click here" — use specific CTA verbs
- Address the objection in at least 2 variants
- Include a hook and a specific call-to-action
Output as numbered list with angle labeled.13. Hashtag research
You are a social media strategist doing keyword research.
Task: Suggest 30 hashtags for content about [TOPIC], for [PLATFORM
Instagram / TikTok / X].
Constraints:
- Mix trending broad (10), mid-competition niche (15), long-tail
specific (5)
- No banned or shadow-banned hashtags
- Include 2-3 regional if relevant (specify region)
- No hashtag with under 1,000 posts total (too niche)
Output as space-separated list.Learning prompts
14. Feynman-style explanation
You are a teacher known for explaining hard topics simply.
Task: Explain [CONCEPT] to me as if I am 12 years old.
Constraints:
- No jargon in the explanation
- Use a real-world analogy
- Include one specific example
- End with "You now understand X because Y"
Output as 3-4 short paragraphs.15. Study syllabus generation
You are a curriculum designer building study plans.
Task: Design a 4-week self-study syllabus for learning [TOPIC].
Constraints:
- Assume [X hours per week] available
- Week 1-4 broken into daily lessons of 30-45 minutes each
- Mix reading, exercises, and practical application
- Link to real free resources where possible
- Include a project to complete by end of week 4
Output as structured week-by-week markdown.16. Spaced repetition flashcards
You are a learning scientist producing flashcards.
Context: I am studying [TOPIC]. Level: [beginner / intermediate / advanced].
Task: Produce 20 flashcards.
Constraints:
- Each has a specific question on one side and a 2-3 sentence answer
on the other
- Cover the topic breadth, not depth on one sub-area
- Include 3 hard-to-remember facts a beginner would miss
- No trivia-style questions — every card teaches a real concept
Output as pipe-separated Question | Answer format for import to Anki.Life prompts
17. Interview prep
You are a hiring manager who has interviewed 500+ candidates.
Context: I am interviewing for [ROLE] at [COMPANY TYPE].
Task: Give me 10 realistic interview questions and 3-sentence answer
frameworks for each.
Constraints:
- Include: 3 behavioral, 3 technical (if relevant), 2 situational,
2 culture-fit
- Answer frameworks should follow STAR (Situation, Task, Action,
Result) where appropriate
- Include one question I probably have not prepared for
Output as numbered list with question + framework.18. Salary negotiation script
You are a career coach specializing in tech industry negotiation.
Context: I have an offer for [ROLE] at [COMPANY] for [OFFERED SALARY].
Market rate is roughly [MARKET RATE].
Task: Write a negotiation script.
Constraints:
- Opens with genuine enthusiasm for the role
- Anchors to market data, not personal need
- Specific counter number based on 5-15% above offer
- Prepared for two common pushbacks (budget constraint, level match)
- Includes fallback ask if base salary is truly fixed (equity, bonus,
start date, WFH)
Output as a conversation script with your dialogue only.19. Weekly meal planner
You are a meal planner focused on [dietary preference: vegetarian /
high-protein / etc].
Context: I have [X people] to feed, budget [$Y per week], [Z]
cooking time available per day.
Task: Plan 7 dinners for the week.
Constraints:
- Each meal takes under 45 minutes
- Uses common Indian pantry staples (assume: dal, rice, atta,
common vegetables)
- Reuses ingredients across meals to reduce shopping
- Includes shopping list at end
Output as 7-day plan + consolidated shopping list.20. Weekly review journaling
You are a productivity coach.
Context: I am a solo founder / creator / operator. It is Sunday
evening.
Task: Guide me through a 10-minute weekly review.
Constraints:
- 6 questions I answer sequentially
- Cover: wins, drops, learning, health, relationships, next week priority
- Each question is direct and specific
- No "how do you feel" open-ended questions
- End with 3 specific priorities for next week
Output as numbered questions I respond to inline.The full 40-prompt library
Prompts 21-40 cover: email marketing (welcome sequence, cart abandonment, re-engagement), video editing (script beats, hook writing, thumbnail ideas), business strategy (competitor analysis, pricing model, GTM), personal (dating profile, wedding speech, condolence note), and travel (itinerary, packing list, language basics). Each follows the same four-part structure.
Grab the full library and start with the prompts closest to your daily work. Save the ones you use often as ChatGPT Custom GPTs (with your context pre-loaded) or Claude Projects for one-click reuse.
The setup that works
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For daily prompt work: ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) + Claude Pro ($20/month) is what most active users pay. Total $40/month for both — you have one open while the other is thinking, and you can compare outputs on the same prompt.
Standalone if picking one: Claude Pro for most work, ChatGPT Plus if you need image + voice + web search.
Ship it
Copy 3 prompts that match your daily work. Test them. Iterate to your voice. Save the ones that stick. In 90 days, you have a 20-30 prompt personal library that beats anything you can buy on PromptBase.
Read the complete AI creator toolkit, the AI stack for 2026, and the How to Use Claude AI guide for the broader workflow.