prompt-engineer
Transforms user prompts into optimized prompts using frameworks (RTF, RISEN, Chain of Thought, RODES, Chain of Density, RACE, RISE, STAR, SOAP, CLEAR, GROW)
By sickn33 · 1,577 installs
npx skills add sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills --skill prompt-engineer
Source repository · Upstream listing
Purpose
This skill transforms raw, unstructured user prompts into highly optimized prompts using established prompting frameworks. It analyzes user intent, identifies task complexity, and intelligently selects the most appropriate framework(s) to improve clarity. Output quality depends on the model and task and requires evaluation.
The skill operates in "magic mode" it works silently behind the scenes, only interacting with users when clarification is critically needed. Users receive polished, ready to use prompts without technical explanations or framework jargon.
This is a universal skill that works in any terminal context, not limited to Obsidian vaults or specific project structures.
When to Use
Invoke this skill when:
User provides a vague or generic prompt (e.g., "help me code Python")
User has a complex idea but struggles to articulate it clearly
User's prompt lacks structure, context, or specific requirements
Task requires step by step reasoning (debugging, analysis, design)
User needs a prompt for a specific AI task but doesn't know prompting frameworks
User wants to improve an existing prompt's effectiveness
User asks variations of "how do I ask AI to..." or "create a prompt for..."
Workflow
Step 1: Analyze Intent
Objective: Understand what the user truly wants to accomplish.
Actions:
1. Read the raw prompt provided by the user
2. Detect task characteristics:
Type: coding, writing, analysis, design, learning, planning, decision making, creative, etc.
Complexity: simple (one step), moderate (multi step), complex (requires reasoning/design)
Clarity: clear intention vs. ambiguous/vague
Domain: technical, business, creative, academic, personal, etc.
3. Identify implicit requirements:
Does user need examples?
Is output format specified?
Are there constraints (time, resources, scope)?
Is this exploratory or execution focused?
Detection Patterns:
Simple tasks: Short prompts, single verb, no context (weak hints, not reliable complexity tests)
Complex tasks: Multiple requirements and conditional logic; length alone does not establish complexity
Ambiguous tasks: Generic verbs ("help", "improve"), missing object/context
Structured tasks: Mentions steps, phases, deliverables, stakeholders
Step 2: Ask Clarifying Questions (Conditional)
Objective: Gather missing information only when it is critical to framework selection or prompt quality.
Trigger Conditions — ask only if:
Task type is completely ambiguous (cannot determine coding vs. writing vs. analysis)
Target audience is unknown and materially affects the output
Scope is undefined and choosing wrong scope would invalidate the prompt
Requested output format conflicts or is missing and cannot be inferred
Question Limits:
Maximum 3 questions per invocation
Combine related questions into one when possible
If enough context exists, skip this step entirely (most cases)
Example Clarifying Exchange:
Critical Rule: When in doubt, skip clarification and generate the best prompt with available context. Over asking breaks the "magic mode" experience.
Step 3: Select Framework(s)
Objective: Map task characteristics to optimal prompting framework(s).
Framework Mapping Logic:
Task Type Recommended Framework(s) Rationale
Role based tasks (act as expert, consultant) RTF (Role Task Format) Clear role definition + task + output format
Step by step reasoning (debugging, proof, logic) Chain of Thought Encourages explicit reasoning steps
Structured projects (multi phase, deliverables) RISEN (Role, Instructions, Steps, End goal, Narrowing) Comprehensive structure for complex work
Complex design/analysis (systems, architecture) RODES (Role, Objective, Details, Examples, Sense check) Balances detail with validation
Summarization (compress, synthesize) Chain of Density Iterative refinement to essential info
Communication (reports, presentations, storytelling) RACE (Role, Audience, Context, Expectation) Audience aware messaging
Investigation/analysis (research, diagnosis) RISE (Research, Investigate, Synthesize, Evaluate) Systematic analytical approach
Contextual situations (problem solving with background) STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) Context rich problem framing
Documentation (medical, technical, records) SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) Structured information capture; clinical assessment requires a qualified clinician and verified inputs
Goal setting (OKRs, objectives, targets) CLEAR (Collaborative, Limited, Emotional, Appreciable, Refinable) Goal clarity and actionability
Coaching/development (mentoring, growth) GROW (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) Developmental conversation structure
Blending Strategy:
Combine 2 3 frameworks when task spans multiple types
Example: Complex technical project → RODES + Chain of Thought (structure + reasoning)
Example: Leadership decision → CLEAR + GROW (goal clarity + development)
Selection Criteria:
Primary framework = best match to core task type
Secondary framework(s) = address additional complexity dimensions
Avoid over engineering: simple tasks get simple frameworks
Critical Rule: This selection happens silently explain framework choice when the user requests it.
4.5. Language Adaptation
If original prompt is in Portuguese, generate prompt in Portuguese
If original prompt is in English, generate prompt in English
If mixed, default to English (more universal for AI models)
4.6. Quality Checks
Before finalizing, verify:
[ ] Prompt is self contained (no external context needed)
[ ] Task is specific and measurable
[ ] Output format is clear
[ ] No ambiguous language
[ ] Appropriate level of detail for task complexity
Critical Rules
NEVER:
❌ Assume information that wasn't provided ALWAYS ask if critical details are missing
❌ Hide framework selection when the user asks for an explanation
❌ Generate generic, one size fits all prompts always customize to context
❌ Use technical jargon in the final prompt (unless user's domain is technical)
❌ Ask more than 3 clarifying questions (avoid user fatigue)
❌ Include meta commentary in the output ("This prompt uses...", "Note that...")
❌ Present output without code block formatting
❌ Mix languages inconsistently (if user writes in PT, respond in PT)
ALWAYS:
✅ Analyze intent before generating (Step 1 is mandatory)
✅ Ask clarifying questions if critical information is ambiguous (Step 2 conditional)
✅ Select framework(s) based on task type and complexity (Step 3 mapping)
✅ Blend multiple frameworks when it improves prompt quality
✅ Adapt prompt length to original input complexity (simple → short, complex → detailed)
✅ Include output format specification in generated prompts
✅ Present final prompt in clean Markdown code block
✅ Make prompts self contained (no dependency on external context)
✅ Use examples in complex prompts to illustrate expected output
✅ Validate prompt completeness before presenting (quality checks in Step 4.6)
Example 2: Complex Clear Prompt → RODES + Chain of Thought (No Clarification)
User Input:
Skill Internal Process:
1. Analyze: Clear intent, complex task (ML system design), technical domain
2. Clarify: Skip (sufficient information)
3. Select: RODES (complex design) + Chain of Thought (reasoning needed)
Skill Output:
Role: You are a senior machine learning engineer specializing in recommendation systems.
Objective: Design a product recommendation system that combines user purchase history, preferences, and market trends.
Details:
Input data sources: [confirm available purchase, preference and market trend data; do not assume surveys or API access]
Algorithm considerations: collaborative filtering, content based filtering, hybrid approaches
Performance metrics: precision, recall, diversity, novelty
Scalability: [confirmed user scale, or mark unknown]
Latency constraints: [confirmed requirement, or mark unknown]
Approach step by step:
1. Analyze the three data sources and their relationships
2. Propose 2 3 algorithm approaches with trade offs analysis
3. Design data pipeline architecture (ingestion, processing, serving)
4. Define evaluation metrics and A/B testing strategy
5. Outline implementation roadmap with phases
Examples:
Show pseudocode for core recommendation logic
Illustrate data flow diagram
Provide sample API response structure
Sense Check: Validate that the proposed solution balances personalization with discovery, scales to production load, and incorporates real time market trends effectively.
Output format: Technical design document with architecture diagrams, algorithm justification, and implementation roadmap.
Example 4: Code Debugging → Chain of Thought
User Input:
Skill Internal Process:
1. Analyze: Debugging task, needs step by step reasoning
2. Clarify: Skip (user will provide code context later)
3. Select: Chain of Thought
Skill Output:
You are an expert Python debugger.
Task: Debug the Python code provided by the user by analyzing it step by step.
Debugging approach:
1. Read and understand the code's intended purpose
2. Identify the error or unexpected behavior
3. Trace variable states at each execution step
4. Locate the root cause of the issue
5. Propose fix with explanation
6. Suggest preventive measures to avoid similar bugs
Provide concise findings, evidence and a decision rationale rather than private internal reasoning traces:
What you're checking
What you found
Why it matters
Output format:
Issue identified: [Describe the bug]
Root cause: [Why it's happening]
Fix: [Corrected code with comments]
Prevention: [Best practices to avoid this in the future]
Include a working example to verify the fix.
Notes
This skill is platform agnostic and works in any terminal context where GitHub Copilot CLI is available. It does not depend on:
Obsidian vault structure
Specific project configurations
External files or templates
The skill is entirely self contained, operating purely on user input and framework knowledge.
Limitations
Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment specific validation, testing, or expert review.
Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.