The RTCF Framework: Every great prompt has four elements — Role (who should Claude be), Task (what to do), Context (background info), and Format (how to structure output).
Universal Prompt Template
Use this structure for any task
You are a [ROLE] with expertise in [DOMAIN].
[TASK]
Context:
- [RELEVANT BACKGROUND]
- [CONSTRAINTS OR PREFERENCES]
Format your response as:
[DESIRED OUTPUT FORMAT]
Quick Task Prompt
For simple, straightforward requests
[ACTION VERB] a [OUTPUT TYPE] about [TOPIC].
Key points:
- [POINT 1]
- [POINT 2]
- [POINT 3]
Tone: [TONE]
Length: [CONSTRAINT]
| Tone Tag |
When to Use |
warm professional |
Default business communication |
direct |
When you need quick action |
diplomatic |
Sensitive or delicate topics |
empathetic |
Bad news, complaints, concerns |
firm but fair |
Setting boundaries, pushing back |
enthusiastic |
Good news, selling, motivation |
Folder Chaos Audit
Upload a screenshot of your messy folder
Analyze this folder screenshot.
I'm a [ROLE] at a [COMPANY TYPE].
Tell me:
1. What file types do you see?
2. What's obviously deletable? (installers, duplicates, temp files)
3. What natural categories emerge?
4. What's the biggest organizational problem?
Then give me:
- A 10-minute triage plan
- A simple folder structure for what remains
Naming Convention Generator
Create a system you'll actually follow
Create a file naming convention for a [ROLE].
File types I work with:
- [TYPE 1]
- [TYPE 2]
- [TYPE 3]
- [TYPE 4]
- [TYPE 5]
Requirements:
- Sorts chronologically when viewed by name
- Quick to type (I'm busy)
- Works on Mac and Windows
- Searchable
Give me:
1. The master pattern
2. One example for each file type
3. Rules for edge cases
4. A one-line summary for my monitor
Folder Structure Designer
Build a structure that matches how you think
Design a folder structure for my work files.
About me:
- Role: [ROLE]
- I organize by: [CLIENT / PROJECT / DATE / TYPE]
- Files I access daily: [DESCRIBE]
- Files I access weekly: [DESCRIBE]
Pain points:
- [WHAT CAN'T YOU FIND?]
- [WHAT'S SCATTERED?]
Requirements:
- Maximum 3 levels deep for daily files
- Must have an inbox for quick filing
- Must be obvious where new files go
Show me the structure with explanations.
Batch Rename Script (Mac)
Rename hundreds of files in seconds
Generate a Mac bash script to rename files.
Folder: [PATH]
File types: [.jpg, .pdf, etc.]
Current names are a mess (examples):
- [EXAMPLE 1]
- [EXAMPLE 2]
- [EXAMPLE 3]
Target format: [YOUR PATTERN]
Give me:
1. Preview script (shows changes only)
2. Execute script (actually renames)
3. Step-by-step Terminal instructions
I'm not technical—be very clear.
The Extraction Framework: SHOW the document → TELL Claude what fields to extract → specify the FORMAT → HANDLE edge cases (missing, unclear, multiple values).
Receipt Extraction (Single)
Upload any receipt image
Extract from this receipt:
1. Date (DD/MM/YYYY)
2. Vendor name
3. Total amount (inc VAT, £)
4. VAT amount (if shown)
5. Payment method
6. Category: Food & Drink / Travel / Office / Entertainment / Other
If unclear: write "UNCLEAR"
If not shown: write "NOT SHOWN"
Output as:
Date | Vendor | Total | VAT | Payment | Category
Receipt Extraction (Batch)
Process multiple receipts at once
[NUMBER] expense receipts attached. For each:
1. Receipt # (1, 2, 3...)
2. Date (DD/MM/YYYY)
3. Vendor
4. Total (£)
5. VAT (£) or "N/A"
6. Category
Output as table:
# | Date | Vendor | Total | VAT | Category
Then show:
- Total across all receipts
- Breakdown by category
- Flag any items needing review
Invoice Processing
Extract and validate invoice data
Extract from this invoice:
Required:
1. Invoice number
2. Invoice date (DD/MM/YYYY)
3. Due date
4. Supplier name
5. Net amount (before VAT)
6. VAT amount
7. Total amount
Optional: PO reference, Payment terms, Bank details
Output as:
---
Invoice #: [value]
From: [supplier]
Date: [date]
Due: [date]
Net: £[amount]
VAT: £[amount]
Total: £[amount]
PO: [value or N/A]
---
Flag if:
- Due date is before invoice date
- VAT is not ~20% of net
- Any required field is missing
CV/Resume Extraction
Parse candidate information quickly
Extract from this CV:
Contact:
1. Full name
2. Email
3. Phone
4. Location
5. LinkedIn (if shown)
Summary:
6. Current/most recent role
7. Years of experience
8. Key skills (up to 10)
Work history (last 3 roles):
- Title, Company, Dates
- Key responsibilities (3-5 bullets)
Education:
- Highest qualification
- Institution
- Year
Output as a structured candidate profile.
Form Data Capture
Extract from any filled form
Extract all data from this form.
For each field:
- Field name
- Value entered (or "BLANK" if empty)
- Type (text / date / checkbox / number)
Output as table:
Field | Value | Notes
Flag:
- Required fields that are blank
- Illegible entries
- Values in wrong format
Bank Statement Processing
Categorize transactions automatically
Extract and categorize all transactions:
For each transaction:
1. Date (DD/MM/YYYY)
2. Description
3. Amount (+ for in, - for out)
4. Category: Income / Housing / Utilities / Subscriptions / Food & Dining / Transport / Shopping / Transfers / Cash / Other
Output as table:
Date | Description | Amount | Category
Summary:
- Period: [start] to [end]
- Total in: £[X]
- Total out: £[X]
- Breakdown by category
Flag any unusual transactions.
The Document Workflow: DUMP everything (messy is fine) → STRUCTURE into sections → DRAFT the full document → POLISH voice and details.
Meeting Notes → Summary
Transform messy notes into professional output
Turn these meeting notes into a professional summary:
[PASTE YOUR MESSY NOTES]
Format:
---
Meeting: [TOPIC]
Date: [DATE]
Attendees: [extract from notes]
Summary
[2-3 sentence overview]
Key Discussion Points
[Bullets]
Decisions Made
[Bullets]
Action Items
| Action | Owner | Due |
|--------|-------|-----|
Next Steps
[What happens next]
---
Keep it to one page. Professional but readable.
Data → Executive Summary
Turn numbers into narrative
Turn this data into an executive summary:
[PASTE DATA]
Requirements:
- Length: [X] words maximum
- Audience: [WHO]
- Tone: Confident, insight-driven
Structure:
1. Headline finding (first sentence)
2. Key wins
3. Areas of concern
4. Recommendations
Don't just list numbers—tell the story.
Start with the most important insight.
End with clear next steps.
Style Guide Creator
Teach Claude to write like you
Analyze my writing style from these samples:
SAMPLE 1:
[PASTE 200-300 WORDS]
SAMPLE 2:
[PASTE 200-300 WORDS]
Create an "Email Voice Guide" covering:
1. How I open emails/documents
2. How I structure content
3. Sentence length and style
4. How I make requests
5. How I close
6. Formality level
7. Distinctive phrases I use
Format as bullet points I can paste into future prompts.
Project Proposal
Turn notes into a formal proposal
Turn these notes into a project proposal:
[PASTE YOUR NOTES/BULLETS]
Proposal structure:
1. Executive Summary (2-3 sentences)
2. Background/Problem
3. Proposed Solution
4. Scope & Deliverables
5. Timeline
6. Investment
7. Why Us
8. Next Steps
Client: [NAME]
Our company: [NAME]
Tone: Professional, confident, not salesy
Length: [X PAGES]
Quick Email
Fast drafting for simple messages
Write an email:
To: [NAME, ROLE]
About: [TOPIC]
Key points:
- [POINT 1]
- [POINT 2]
- [POINT 3]
Goal: [WHAT THEY SHOULD DO/KNOW]
Tone: [warm professional / direct / diplomatic]
Difficult Email
Navigate tricky communications
Help me write a difficult email.
Situation:
[EXPLAIN WHAT'S GOING ON]
Recipient: [THEIR ROLE, RELATIONSHIP]
Their likely perspective: [HOW THEY SEE IT]
My goal: [WHAT I WANT TO HAPPEN]
Relationship importance: [HIGH / MEDIUM]
Before writing, tell me:
1. What's the best approach?
2. What should I definitely say?
3. What should I avoid?
Then write the email.
Tone: [firm but fair / diplomatic / empathetic]
Thread Summary
Catch up on long conversations fast
Summarize this email thread:
[PASTE ENTIRE THREAD]
Tell me:
1. What is this about? (2 sentences max)
2. Who's involved and what does each person want?
3. What's been decided already?
4. What's still unresolved?
5. What am I expected to do now?
Follow-Up Email
Polite but effective follow-ups
Write a follow-up email.
Original: [WHAT WAS DISCUSSED/SENT]
When: [DATE]
Following up on: [SPECIFIC ITEM]
Urgency: [HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW]
Tone: [polite nudge / concerned / matter-of-fact]
Don't be pushy, but be clear about what I need.
Apology Email
Take responsibility professionally
Write an apology email.
What happened: [THE MISTAKE]
Impact on them: [HOW IT AFFECTED THEM]
What I'm doing to fix it: [ACTIONS]
How I'll prevent recurrence: [PLAN]
Tone: Sincere, takes responsibility.
Focus on them, not my excuses.
Keep it brief—long apologies feel worse.
Email Template Creator
Build reusable templates
Create an email template for: [TYPE]
I send these: [FREQUENCY]
To: [TYPICAL RECIPIENTS]
Purpose: [GOAL]
What changes each time:
- [VARIABLE 1]
- [VARIABLE 2]
What stays the same:
- [CONSTANT 1]
- [CONSTANT 2]
Create a template with [BRACKETS] for variables.
Include subject line template too.
The 5x Rule: If you do something more than 5 times, automate it. Best candidates are repetitive, structured, time-consuming, and low-creativity.
Process Mapping
Understand your workflow before automating
Help me map this process for automation:
Task: [WHAT YOU DO]
Frequency: [HOW OFTEN]
Current time: [DURATION]
Steps I take:
1. [STEP]
2. [STEP]
3. [STEP]
4. [STEP]
5. [STEP]
For each step:
- Can Claude do this?
- What input does it need?
- What output does it produce?
- Is there a handoff where I need to act?
Show me the optimized workflow.
Mega-Prompt Builder
Create a single prompt that does everything
Create a single prompt for this workflow:
Workflow: [NAME]
Input: [WHAT I PROVIDE]
Output: [WHAT I NEED]
Steps to perform:
1. [STEP]
2. [STEP]
3. [STEP]
4. [STEP]
Requirements:
- [REQUIREMENT 1]
- [REQUIREMENT 2]
Include validation and edge case handling.
Make it copy-paste ready.
SOP Generator
Document workflows so anyone can run them
Create an SOP for this automated workflow:
Workflow: [NAME]
Purpose: [WHAT IT ACCOMPLISHES]
Frequency: [WHEN TO RUN]
Time required: [WITH AUTOMATION]
Prerequisites:
- [WHAT'S NEEDED BEFORE STARTING]
Workflow steps and prompts:
[DESCRIBE YOUR WORKFLOW]
Create SOP with:
1. Overview (what, when, why)
2. Prerequisites checklist
3. Step-by-step instructions
4. All prompts (copy-paste ready)
5. Quality checklist
6. Troubleshooting common issues
Format for someone new to this task.
Chain-of-Thought
Make Claude show its reasoning
[YOUR REQUEST]
Think through this step by step:
1. What are the key factors to consider?
2. How does each option perform on each factor?
3. What are the risks?
4. What assumptions am I making?
Show your reasoning, then give your recommendation.
Error Handling Block
Add to any prompt for robustness
Before processing, validate the input:
- Is the expected format present?
- Are required fields populated?
- Do values seem reasonable?
If issues found:
- List each issue with severity (⚠️ WARNING / ❌ ERROR)
- Suggest how to fix
- Ask whether to proceed or stop
Handle edge cases:
- If empty: write "N/A"
- If unclear: write "UNCLEAR: [best guess]"
- If unusual: flag for review
Process only if validation passes.
Critique Pattern
Have Claude review its own work
[YOUR REQUEST]
After completing, review your output:
1. Does it fully address the request?
2. Are there any errors or inconsistencies?
3. What could be improved?
4. Rate the quality 1-10 and explain.
If below 8, provide an improved version.
Adversarial Pattern
Stress-test conclusions
[YOUR ANALYSIS OR RECOMMENDATION]
Now stress-test this:
1. List 3 ways this conclusion could be wrong
2. What evidence would disprove it?
3. What assumptions might be invalid?
4. What's the strongest counter-argument?
Does your original conclusion still hold?
If not, revise it.
Prompt Optimizer
Fix prompts that aren't working well
My prompt isn't working well. Help me improve it.
Current prompt:
[PASTE YOUR PROMPT]
Problems I see:
- [ISSUE 1]
- [ISSUE 2]
Example of bad output:
[PASTE]
Diagnose what's wrong and show me:
1. Why it's failing
2. The improved prompt
3. What you changed and why
Client Matter Summary
Update clients on case progress
Turn these case notes into a client summary:
[PASTE NOTES]
Format:
---
Matter: [REFERENCE]
Client: [NAME]
Date: [DATE]
Summary
[2-3 sentences on current status]
Progress This Period
[What happened]
Outstanding Matters
[What's pending]
Next Steps
[What's coming]
Action Required
[What client needs to do, if anything]
---
Tone: Clear, professional. Avoid unnecessary legalese.
Client sophistication: [HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW]
Contract Key Terms Extraction
Quickly identify critical contract elements
Extract key terms from this contract:
Parties:
1. Party 1 (name, description)
2. Party 2 (name, description)
Dates:
3. Contract date
4. Effective date
5. Term end
6. Key milestones
Financial:
7. Value/price
8. Payment terms
9. Late payment provisions
Obligations:
10. Party 1 main obligations (bullets)
11. Party 2 main obligations (bullets)
Termination:
12. Notice period
13. Termination for convenience: Y/N
14. Termination triggers
Flag:
- Unusual terms
- Missing standard clauses
- Ambiguous language
Candidate Screening
Score candidates against job requirements
Screen this CV for [JOB TITLE].
Requirements:
MUST HAVE:
- [REQUIREMENT 1]
- [REQUIREMENT 2]
- [REQUIREMENT 3]
NICE TO HAVE:
- [REQUIREMENT 1]
- [REQUIREMENT 2]
Extract candidate info, then score:
| Requirement | Met? | Evidence |
|-------------|------|----------|
| [Req] | Y/N/Partial | [quote from CV] |
SCORE: [X] / 10
RECOMMENDATION: Strong Yes / Yes / Maybe / No
Strengths:
- [bullets]
Concerns:
- [bullets]
Suggested interview questions:
1. [question]
2. [question]
Interview Summary
Turn interview notes into client-ready report
Turn these interview notes into a candidate report:
[PASTE NOTES]
Format:
---
Candidate: [NAME]
Role: [POSITION]
Interview: [DATE]
Recommendation: [STRONG YES / YES / MAYBE / NO]
Summary
[2-3 sentences]
Strengths
[Bullets with evidence]
Concerns
[Bullets with evidence]
Cultural Fit
[Assessment]
Compensation
[Expectations vs budget]
Suggested Next Steps
[Recommendation]
---
Be direct. Client needs clear guidance.
Tenancy Application Review
Extract and assess tenant applications
Extract from this tenancy application:
Applicant:
1. Name(s)
2. Current address
3. Time at current address
4. Reason for moving
5. Phone / Email
Employment:
6. Employer
7. Job title
8. Annual income
9. Time employed
10. Employer contact
Previous landlord:
11. Name
12. Address
13. Tenancy dates
14. Contact details
Affordability check:
- Monthly rent: £[X]
- Monthly income: £[calculated]
- Ratio: [X]%
- Passes 30% rule: Y/N
Flag:
- Affordability concerns
- Short employment history
- Missing information
- Any red flags
Property Viewing Summary
Turn viewing notes into buyer report
Turn these viewing notes into a buyer report:
[PASTE NOTES]
Property: [ADDRESS]
Asking: £[PRICE]
Format:
---
Property Summary
[Key details: beds, type, location]
Pros
[Bullets]
Cons
[Bullets]
Comparison to Requirements
[How it matches what they're looking for]
Market Assessment
[Is it priced fairly?]
Recommended Offer Strategy
[What to offer, if anything]
Red Flags
[Issues to investigate, or "None identified"]
---
Tone: Helpful advisor, not sales pitch.
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