prompt-engineering

Coordinate prompt design with a test-driven development workflow.

8|Updated Dec 16, 2008
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/sebnow/configs --skill prompt-engineering-sebnow
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: prompt-engineering
Source: https://github.com/sebnow/configs/tree/main/home-manager/agentic/skills/prompt-engineering
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/sebnow/configs --skill prompt-engineering-sebnow

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Prompt engineering is about designing and refining prompts to achieve reliable, high-quality outputs from large language models. It emphasizes a test-driven, measurement-based approach to avoid relying on unverified techniques and to enable iterative improvements grounded in evidence.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • TDD-driven prompt design: Establish baselines, define success criteria, run structured tests, and iterate with minimal changes.
  • Explicit instructions and formats: Create prompts that clearly define task, audience, constraints, and output structure.
  • Examples and formatting guidance: Use few-shot examples and consistent formatting to improve determinism.
  • Three practical use cases:
    • Claude configurations (skills/agents)
    • Ad-hoc prompting in chat interfaces
    • Application development with LLM APIs
  • Rigorous testing and evaluation: Emphasize repeatable tests, multiple runs for reliability, and guardrails.

Quick Start

Write a baseline prompt, define 5–10 test cases, and iterate one change at a time to measure impact.

Frequently Asked Questions about prompt-engineering

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I test LLM prompts to get consistent results?▼

Test LLM prompts for consistent results by establishing baselines, defining 5–10 representative test cases, executing structured tests, and iterating one change at a time to measure impact.

What is test-driven development for prompt design?▼

Test-driven development for prompt design is a measurement-based approach that defines success criteria, runs repeatable multi-case tests, and refines prompts with evidence rather than unverified techniques.

How do I improve prompt determinism using few-shot examples?▼

Improve prompt determinism by incorporating few-shot examples and explicit formatting guidance into your prompt design, clearly defining the task, audience, constraints, and output structure.

Can I apply this prompt testing workflow to application development with LLM APIs?▼

Yes, you can apply this prompt testing workflow to application development with LLM APIs, as well as to ad-hoc prompting in chat interfaces and Claude configurations like agents and skills.

Why does my LLM prompt output vary across multiple runs?▼

LLM prompt output varies across multiple runs due to a lack of rigorous evaluation and guardrails, which can be resolved by running repeatable tests and measuring results against a baseline.