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Write a first prompt for an internal poll app that plans first

  • For Product managers
  • You practice Giving the right context
  • Time about 5 minutes

About this exercise

Write the first prompt you'll paste into an AI app builder for a team lunch poll. Put it in one code block of at most 14 lines, with at most one short line outside it. It must say only company login (SSO) can open it, votes are anonymous, the poll closes at the current deadline, and the features you ruled out are not built. It must end by asking the builder to list the screens it plans and wait for your OK.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Missing IT's rules. Builders default to public links and store who voted. Try: Add: "Company SSO only. Never store names with votes."
  • Using the old deadline. Your notes say Friday 11am, and the AI keeps it. Try: Add: "The poll closes Thursday at noon."
  • Letting it build right away. Builders start coding before you've seen the plan. Try: End with: "List the screens you plan and wait for my OK."
  • Adding ruled-out features. The AI adds chat and maps because poll apps often have them. Try: Add: "Don't build comments, a map or payment splitting."
  • A prompt you can't paste. The AI explains its choices around the prompt. Try: Say: "One code block, at most 14 lines, nothing else."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Covers access
  • Keeps votes anonymous
  • Uses the new deadline
  • Asks for a plan first
  • Asks for one block

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