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Brief an assistant to answer catering requests with real quotes

  • For Small business owners
  • You practice Setting limits and rules
  • Time about 5 minutes

About this exercise

You run a small catering business and want an AI assistant to answer quote requests. Write its brief: minimum 20 guests, at most 2 events per day, and every quote shows guests x price per person plus a 25% deposit as math; decline politely below the minimum and offer the day before or after when a date is full. It drafts replies only and never confirms a booking or charges a deposit. Output exactly 5 numbered plain-text lines: one per request in order, 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 gives a total with no breakdown, or forgets the deposit. Try: Say: "Show guests x price = total, then 25% deposit = amount."
  • Not giving your limits. The AI says yes to the small party and books a third event on a full day. Try: Add: "Minimum 20 guests, max 2 events a day. Offer the day before or after if full."
  • Letting it book or charge. Given confirm and charge actions, the AI locks in dates and takes money. Try: Add: "Draft replies only. Never confirm or charge."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Gives the minimum
  • Gives the daily cap
  • Asks for quote math
  • Forbids booking or charging
  • Shows the action-log format

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