# Humanitys Last Prompt Engineer > This skill should be used when the user asks to "write a prompt", "improve my prompt", "fix this prompt", "optimize a prompt", "learn prompting techniques", "get prompt templates", or mentions prompt engineering, prompt quality, or prompt rewriting. Applies 11 foundational techniques from Forward Future's guide. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/humanitys-last-prompt-engineer` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/humanitys-last-prompt-engineer` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/humanitys-last-prompt-engineer/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: AI & ML - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/humanitys-last-prompt-engineer --- # Humanity's Last Prompt Engineer Craft effective prompts using proven techniques from Forward Future's prompt engineering guide. Diagnose weak prompts, apply the right technique, and deliver concrete rewrites. > **Source**: Based on "Humanity's Last Prompt Engineering Guide" by Matthew Berman & Nick Wentz (Forward Future). > --- ## Core Workflow Follow these five steps for every prompt request: ```text 1. Receive the prompt (or a description of what the user needs) 2. Diagnose: Identify what's missing (role, context, format, task clarity) 3. Select technique(s): Determine which of the 11 techniques applies best 4. Rewrite: Produce an improved prompt 5. Explain: Briefly describe why the changes work ``` ### Step 1: Diagnose the Prompt Evaluate against these 6 diagnostic questions: | # | Question | If Missing | |---|----------|------------| | 1 | Is the task clearly defined? | Add a specific action verb | | 2 | Is there a role/persona? | Add "You are a [expert]..." | | 3 | Is input/context complete? | Add background data or scenario | | 4 | Is output format specified? | Add format constraint (bullets, JSON, table) | | 5 | Is reasoning requested (if needed)? | Add "think step by step" or "explain logic" | | 6 | Is it broken into steps (if complex)? | Decompose into subtasks | ### Step 2: Select the Right Technique | Technique | When to Apply | Complexity | |-----------|--------------|------------| | **Zero-Shot** | Simple, obvious tasks requiring no examples | Low | | **Few-Shot** | Need specific structure, tone, or output format | Low | | **System Prompt** | Control persistent behavior or format rules | Low | | **Role Prompt** | Need specific domain expertise or persona | Low | | **Contextual** | Task requires background data or domain knowledge | Medium | | **Step-Back** | Complex reasoning benefits from broader perspective first | Medium | | **Chain-of-Thought** | Math, logic, planning, or multi-step reasoning | Medium | | **Self-Consistency** | High-stakes or ambiguous tasks needing multiple reasoning paths | High | | **Tree of Thoughts** | Brainstorming, exploration of multiple valid solution paths | High | | **ReAct** | Tasks requiring tool use (search, code execution, APIs) | High | | **APE** | Optimizing prompt performance at scale with automated testing | High | For detailed examples, tips by experience level, and advanced usage of each technique, see **`references/techniques-detailed.md`**. ### Step 3: Apply the Prompt Formula Every strong prompt contains four components: - **Role**: Define expertise — "You are a [specific expert]..." - **Task**: Use a clear action verb — Summarize, List, Write, Analyze, Compare, Generate - **Input**: Provide what to work with — text, data, scenario, constraints - **Format**: Specify response structure — bullets, JSON, table, word count, tone **Example transformation:** ```text Weak: "Help me with marketing" Strong: "You are a B2B SaaS copywriter. Write 3 LinkedIn post variations promoting our new analytics feature. Each post should be under 150 words, use a professional but approachable tone, and end with a clear CTA." ``` ### Step 4: Fix Common Problems | Problem | Diagnosis | Fix | |---------|-----------|-----| | Too vague | No specifics or constraints | Add specifics: "3 bullet points focusing on X" | | Wrong audience | No target reader defined | Add target: "for a busy executive" | | Missing role | No expertise context | Add persona: "You are a brand copywriter" | | Unstructured output | No format specified | Specify: "as a numbered list with explanations" | | Shallow reasoning | No thinking requested | Add: "explain your logic" or "think step by step" | | Inconsistent results | Single inference path | Apply Self-Consistency: generate 3 answers, pick majority | ### Step 5: Deliver the Output Structure every response using this format: ```markdown ## Analysis [What's working in the original prompt, what's missing or weak] ## Technique Applied [Which technique(s) were selected and why they fit this case] ## Improved Prompt [The complete rewritten prompt, ready to copy-paste] ## Why This Works [1-2 sentences explaining the key improvements] ``` --- ## Temperature Guide Match temperature to the task type: | Range | Best For | Examples | |-------|----------|---------| | **0-0.3** | Factual, precise, deterministic | Summaries, data analysis, extraction | | **0.4-0.6** | Balanced (default) | General tasks, explanations | | **0.7-1.0** | Creative, exploratory | Brainstorming, writing, ideation | --- ## Operational Rules - Diagnose before rewriting — never skip the analysis step - Explain which technique is being applied and why - Provide a concrete, copy-pasteable improved prompt in every response - Never just list tips without delivering a rewritten prompt - Never over-complicate simple prompts — match complexity to the task - Offer 2-3 variations when multiple techniques fit equally well - Score the improved prompt against the diagnostic questions to verify quality --- ## Reference Files For detailed guidance and tools, consult: - **`references/techniques-detailed.md`** — Extended examples, tips by experience level, and advanced usage for all 11 techniques - **`references/role-templates.md`** — Ready-to-use role-based prompt templates for common business scenarios (operations, marketing, sales, HR) - **`references/scorecard.md`** — Prompt quality scorecard (1-35 rating) and refinement worksheet for systematic prompt evaluation --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/back1ply) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.