gabrielmoreira Constraint Specification
Constraints are the rules that shape AI output — what format to use, how long to be, what to include, what to exclude. Well-specified constraints produce predictable, useful outputs. Vague constraints produce inconsistent results.
Types of Constraints
Format constraints:
- Output structure (JSON, markdown, plain text, bullet points, prose)
- Section headings and organisation
- Required fields and optional fields
- Data types and schemas Length constraints:
- Word count ranges (not exact numbers — models are bad at counting)
- Section length proportions ("spend 60% on analysis, 40% on recommendations")
- Minimum and maximum bounds
- Conciseness directives ("be brief" vs. "be thorough") Content constraints:
- Topics to include and exclude
- Required information elements
- Prohibited content
- Source restrictions (only use provided context, don't use external knowledge) Tone constraints:
- Formality level
- Emotional register
- Audience-appropriate language
- Voice and style guidelines Quality constraints:
- Accuracy requirements ("cite sources", "flag uncertainty")
- Completeness requirements ("address all aspects of the question")
- Originality requirements ("don't repeat the question back")
- Actionability requirements ("every recommendation must be implementable")
Writing Effective Constraints
- Be specific: "Keep responses under 200 words" beats "be concise"
- Prioritise: When constraints conflict, state which wins. "Accuracy over brevity."
- Provide examples: Show what a constrained output looks like
- Test boundaries: What happens at the edge of each constraint?
- Separate hard and soft constraints: Hard constraints must always be met. Soft constraints are preferences.
Constraint Interactions
Constraints interact and can conflict:
- "Be thorough" vs. "Keep it under 100 words"
- "Be creative" vs. "Follow this exact format"
- "Be helpful" vs. "Don't give medical advice" Resolve conflicts explicitly in the prompt. Don't make the model guess which constraint takes priority.
Design Artefacts
- Constraint specification documents per output type
- Constraint priority hierarchies
- Constraint test cases (inputs designed to stress each constraint)
- Constraint violation examples (what bad looks like)
- Constraint evolution logs (how constraints changed and why)