Brief an assistant to compare catering quotes for a team lunch

About this exercise

You're ordering lunch for a 25-person all-hands and want an AI assistant to compare caterers. Write its brief: total budget $375, the order must cover 4 vegetarian, 2 gluten-free and 1 nut-allergy meal, show each quote's total as math, put a hold on the one that fits, and never place the order. Output exactly 6 numbered plain-text lines: one note per caterer in order, the hold, an ASK_HUMAN for approval, then DONE.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Not showing the log format. Left alone, the AI writes a friendly report with headings instead of a checkable action log. Try: Show it literally: "Format every line like 1. ACTION: tool(args), then ASK_HUMAN: and DONE: lines. Plain text."
• Hiding the math. The AI compares per-person prices and forgets delivery. Try: Say: "Show each total as 25 x price + delivery."
• Leaving out dietary needs. The AI picks last time's favorite, which can't do a nut-safe meal. Try: Add: "Must cover 4 vegetarian, 2 gluten-free and 1 nut allergy, under $375."
• Letting it order. Given place_order, the AI orders as soon as it picks. Try: Add: "Hold only, never place the order. Ask me to approve."

What a strong prompt includes

• Gives the budget
• Lists dietary needs
• Asks for the math
• Says hold, never order
• Shows the action-log format

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