# Prompt Writing

Create, refine, and optimize high-quality YAML prompts for AI assistants.

- Repository: https://github.com/ModelEngine-Group/nexent (6109 stars)
- Category: AI and agents
- License: Complete terms in LICENSE.txt
- Last updated: 2026-10-31
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add ModelEngine-Group/nexent --skill prompt-writing -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add ModelEngine-Group/nexent --skill prompt-writing -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add ModelEngine-Group/nexent --skill prompt-writing -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add ModelEngine-Group/nexent --skill prompt-writing -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Create, refine, and optimize high-quality YAML prompts for AI assistants. Use when working with prompt templates, system prompts, agent prompts, or any prompt engineering tasks. Provides structure guidelines, template patterns, and quality standards for YAML-based prompts.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Prompt Writing

Create and optimize YAML-based prompts for AI assistants following industry best practices.

## Quick Start

### Standard YAML Prompt Structure

```yaml
system_prompt: |-
  # Section with ### header
  ## Subsection with ## header
  Content with clear structure.
  
  **Bold key concepts**
  
  - Bullet points for requirements
  - Consistent indentation (2 spaces)
  
  1. Numbered lists for sequences
  2. Use when order matters

user_prompt: |
  Direct instructions with {{ variable placeholders }}
```

### Key Principles

1. **Structure**: Use `|-` for multi-line system prompts, `|` for user prompts
2. **Templating**: Use `{{ variable }}` for dynamic content
3. **Separators**: Use `---` sparingly, only between major sections
4. **Language**: Keep prompts in consistent language (English recommended for templates)

## Quality Checklist

Before finalizing any prompt, verify:

- [ ] No unclosed braces `{{` without `}}`
- [ ] No excessive separators (`---`, `***`)
- [ ] Consistent heading hierarchy (`###` → `##`)
- [ ] Clear variable placeholders with descriptive names
- [ ] Proper YAML indentation preserved
- [ ] No HTML tags in Markdown content
- [ ] Lists have parallel structure

## Common Patterns

### System Prompt with Sections

```yaml
system_prompt: |-
  ### Role Definition
  You are a professional [role name]. Your task is to [core responsibility].
  
  ### Requirements
  1. First requirement
  2. Second requirement
  3. Third requirement
  
  ### Guidelines
  - Do this
  - Don't do that
  - Always do this
  
  ### Output Format
  Respond in plain text without separators.
```

### Jinja2 Template Variables

```yaml
user_prompt: |
  Please analyze the following {{ document_type }}:
  
  Name: {{ filename }}
  Content: {{ content }}
  
  Summary ({{ max_words }} words):
```

## References

The rest: https://github.com/ModelEngine-Group/nexent/blob/HEAD/.claude/skills/prompts-writing/SKILL.md