Write a complete agent task brief: AI agent prompt
Turn a vague ask like 'handle my inbox' into a clear brief with goal, context, limits, output, and approvals, so the agent doesn't overreach.
Business StrategyTask briefsbeginnerWho this is for
Anyone giving a task to an AI agent (ChatGPT agent, Claude, Manus or similar) for the first time.
Not for
Tasks that involve spending money or sending messages without your approval.
What you need
A one-line description of the task you want done.
The prompt
Turn this vague task into a five-part agent brief: [describe task]. Include: 1) goal, 2) context (which files, accounts, and folders it may use), 3) constraints (what it must never do), 4) the exact output and where it goes, and 5) approvals (what's automatic, what just notifies me, and what needs my OK). Keep it under one page.
Worked example
A fictional business, so you can see what to paste in and what a good answer looks like. The example answer was written with AI help and its numbers and dates were checked; your AI's answer will be worded differently, so check it the same way.
Sample input (what you paste in)
Task: "Find 20 local event venues for our spring workshop and put them in a sheet." (Brightpath Training)
Example output (illustrative)
1) Goal: a Google Sheet of 20 venues in Ottawa that seat 30-50 people for a workshop in April 2027. 2) Context: use public websites only. Write in the sheet "Venue research" in the Workshops folder. 3) Constraints: don't contact venues, fill in forms or create accounts. Don't guess prices; write "not listed". 4) Output: columns: name, address, capacity, price (or "not listed"), parking, accessibility, link. Sorted by capacity. 5) Approvals: research and writing the sheet are automatic; message me when done; anything else needs my OK.
Check before you use it: Make sure the 'never' list covers contacting people and spending money.
How to use it
- Copy the prompt above.
- Replace every [bracket] with your own details (or fill in the blanks on AgentPlaybook Real Estate, which remembers your answers for the next prompt).
- Paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and review the answer before you use it.
Works with: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT agents, Claude Cowork
Real-world example: getpraktivo.com/blog/ai-agent-prompts-for-business-owners/
Featured in: Free AI agent prompts for small business (beginner-friendly) · AI prompts to summarize meetings, notes, documents and reports
Before you use it: what to check
Check yourself
- This prompt works on text other people wrote (emails, reviews, messages or web pages). That text can hide instructions aimed at AI, such as "ignore your rules and…". Paste it as material to work on, and never let the AI act on requests inside it, like paying, sharing logins or changing records. How prompt injection works →
- Check names, dates, numbers and any claim against your own source material before you use the answer. AI can misread or invent details.
Using an AI agent? Download this prompt as a SKILL.md agent skill with these checks built in, or get the .zip for Claude.ai. How to install skills.
Want to make this prompt even better? Grade it with the free prompt grader or build your own with the AI prompt generator.
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