Explain a background job to your PM without jargon

About this exercise

Your PM Dana asks what happens when a receipt email fails. Answer in exactly 3 numbered lines labeled 'What it does:', 'When it fails:' and 'What customers see:', each under 20 words, using what the code actually does (not its outdated docstring). Dana doesn't know engineering terms, so don't use the words cron, API, queue, exception or mailer. No code blocks, under 70 words in total.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Trusting the docstring. The docstring still says 5 tries, but the code stops at 3. Try: Add: "Use what the code does, not the docstring: MAX_ATTEMPTS is 3."
• Engineering words. The AI explains with cron, exceptions and queues, which Dana can't use. Try: Add: "Don't use the words cron, API, queue, exception or mailer."
• A walkthrough of every line. The AI explains the code top to bottom instead of answering Dana's question. Try: Say: "Exactly 3 numbered lines with these labels: What it does:, When it fails:, What customers see:."
• Showing code. The AI quotes the code back in a block. Try: Add: "No code."

What a strong prompt includes

• Says who it's for
• Gives the labels
• Bans specific words
• Says to trust the code
• Sets the shape

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