ai-prompting

# AI Prompting Strategies

Master the art of communicating with AI coding assistants to get better results faster. These strategies are optimized for spec-driven development but apply broadly to AI collaboration.

## When to Use This Skill

Use these prompting strategies when:
- Working with Claude Code, Cursor, or other AI assistants
- Creating specs through AI collaboration
- Getting inconsistent or low-quality AI responses
- Need to improve AI output accuracy
- Want faster iteration cycles

## Core Strategies

### Strategy 1: Context-First Prompting

Always provide sufficient context before making requests.

**Poor Approach:**
```
Create requirements for a user profile feature.
```

**Better Approach:**
```
I'm working on a web application for a fitness tracking platform. We need to add user profile functionality where users can manage their personal information and fitness goals.

Context:
- Technology: React frontend, Node.js backend
- User base: Health-conscious individuals, age 18-65
- Key constraint: Must comply with GDPR for EU users
- Integration: Will connect with existing authentication system

Please help me create requirements for the user profile feature.
```

**Why It Works:**
- Provides domain context for better decisions
- Identifies technical constraints early
- Clarifies compliance requirements
- Enables more relevant suggestions

### Strategy 2: Phased Interaction

Work through spec phases sequentially. Complete each phase before moving to the next.

**Phase 1 - Requirements:**
```
Let's start with the requirements phase for [feature name].

Current situation: [describe current state]
Problem to solve: [describe the problem]
Users affected: [describe user types]
Success criteria: [how we'll know it works]

Please help me develop comprehensive requirements using the EARS format.
```

**Phase 2 - Design (after requirements approved):**
```
Now that we have clear requirements, let's create the technical design.

Requirements summary: [key requireme