Creating Custom Prompt Templates

Templates let you capture what works and reuse it. Instead of crafting prompts from scratch each time, you'll have proven formulas ready to go.

Why Templates Matter

Without templates:

• Reinvent the wheel each time
• Inconsistent quality
• Forget what worked
• Slow to start

With templates:

• Instant starting point
• Consistent results
• Build on success
• Speed to first draft

Template Anatomy

A good template has:

[TASK DESCRIPTION]
What you want to accomplish.

[CONTEXT]
Background information needed.

[INPUTS]
[PLACEHOLDER 1]: ...
[PLACEHOLDER 2]: ...

[OUTPUT REQUIREMENTS]
Format, length, tone, etc.

[EXAMPLES] (optional)
What good looks like.

Building Your First Templates

From Scratch

From a Successful Prompt

Essential Template Categories

Email Templates

Example Email Response Template:

Write a professional email response.

Context: [SITUATION - brief background]
Email received: [PASTE EMAIL or SUMMARY]
My goal: [WHAT I WANT TO ACHIEVE]
Tone: [formal/friendly/urgent]
Length: [brief/standard/detailed]

Response should:
- Address all points in their email
- Be appropriate for [RECIPIENT RELATIONSHIP]
- Include [ANY SPECIFIC ELEMENTS]

Meeting Templates

Writing Templates

Template Library Design

Organizing Templates

Template Documentation

For each template, document:

Element	Description
Name	What to call it
Purpose	When to use it
Inputs	What to fill in
Output	What to expect
Tips	How to get best results

Advanced Template Techniques

Conditional Templates

Templates with options:

Multi-Step Templates

For complex tasks:

Templates with Examples

Role-Specific Templates

For Managers

For Individual Contributors

Template Maintenance

Template Review

Template Testing

When creating a new template:

1. Use it 3-5 times on real tasks
2. Note what works and what doesn't
3. Refine based on actual results
4. Document tips you discover

Sharing Templates

Team Template Library

Template Handoff

Starter Template Collection

Here's a mini-collection to get you started:

Quick Email Response

Reply to this email professionally:
Received: [PASTE EMAIL]
My response point: [WHAT TO SAY]
Tone: [formal/friendly]
Keep under: [50/100/200] words

Meeting Summary

Summarize this meeting:
Topic: [MEETING TOPIC]
Attendees: [WHO WAS THERE]
Notes: [PASTE NOTES]
Format: Decisions, action items, next steps

Document Outline

Create outline for: [DOCUMENT TYPE]
Topic: [SUBJECT]
Audience: [WHO READS IT]
Key points: [MUST INCLUDE]
Length: [TARGET]

Practice Exercise

Key Takeaways

1. Templates save time - Minutes of setup save hours over time
2. Start with wins - Template what already works
3. Use placeholders - Make customization obvious and fast
4. Document for reuse - Future you will thank present you
5. Iterate based on use - Refine templates that get used
6. Share good ones - Teams benefit from shared templates
7. Keep them accessible - Templates you can't find don't help

Your template library becomes an asset that compounds in value. Next, let's talk about building automation habits.