Apply an approved credit memo to the oldest invoice

About this exercise

You're preparing a vendor payment. Write a prompt for plain text with lines starting "INV-A:", "INV-B:", "Unapplied:" and "Payment this run:", each with the math. Apply only approved credit memos, oldest due invoice first. This run pays invoices due on or before Nov 12. Under 70 words. No bullets or numbering.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Applying the unconfirmed credit. The AI nets CM-9 too, as the buyer says. Try: Add: "Do not apply credits that aren't approved."
• Paying both invoices. The AI includes INV-B even though it is due Nov 20. Try: Add: "Pay only invoices due on or before Nov 12."
• Credit applied to the wrong invoice. The AI applies CM-7 to the newer invoice. Try: Say: "Apply credits to the oldest due invoice first."
• Markdown extras. The AI adds bold labels, headings and a closing note. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold. Output only the lines asked for."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting and runs past word limits. Try: Ask for fewer words than the real cap and keep each line short.

What a strong prompt includes

• Names the four lines
• Applies only approved credits
• Uses oldest first
• Limits to the due date
• Caps length

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