Keep templates short and maintainable
Unit ID: AIT-M10-U03 Estimated active time: 15-20 minutes
The main idea
A template should be easy to reuse, not a wall of rules.
Every line added is a line someone must read before using it, and templates get abandoned by length long before they get abandoned by quality.
Why this matters
Rules also compete. A template with thirty instructions will have some of them ignored, and you will not know which.
Safe example
A 12-line template may be more useful than a two-page instruction.
The twelve lines get used. The two pages get skimmed and then replaced by an ad-hoc prompt.
Better working habit
Remove rules that do not change the output.
Test it: delete a line, run it twice, and see whether anything got worse. Most templates lose a third this way with no loss.
What to watch for
Do not make templates too complex for everyday use.
If a template needs its own instructions, it has become a document rather than a tool.
Mini practice
Shorten one long prompt without losing safety rules.
Keep every privacy and review line. Cut from the rest.
Check yourself
Before moving on, answer:
- Which lines could I delete without the output changing?
- Have I kept every privacy and review rule?
- Would a colleague use this without needing it explained?