Brief an assistant to process supplier price changes safely

About this exercise

You run a cafe and want an AI assistant to process supplier price-change emails. Write its brief: update your cost sheet only for increases of 5% or less, showing the percent as math; any bigger increase goes to you with ASK_HUMAN; never accept new contract terms; and never change menu prices. Output exactly 5 numbered plain-text lines: one per supplier email 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 updates prices without showing how big each change is. Try: Say: "Show the change as a percent: increase / old price."
• No threshold. The AI accepts a 20% jump as routine. Try: Add: "Update only increases of 5% or less. Bigger ones go to ASK_HUMAN."
• Letting it agree or reprice. The AI signs the new contract and raises latte prices like the barista suggests. Try: Add: "Never accept terms or change menu prices."

What a strong prompt includes

• Sets the threshold
• Asks for the math
• Forbids accepting terms
• Leaves menu prices alone
• Shows the action-log format

Practice this now ↑

Related exercises

• Add dark mode by overriding your existing CSS variables (Coding AI · Software developers)
• Add input checks to your number guessing game (Coding AI · High school students)
• Add labels to a signup form without rewriting the page (Coding AI · High school students)
• Announce a territory change without promising comp outcomes (Sales AI · Revenue operations)
• Announce the employee assistance program in three steps (Writing AI · HR and recruiting)