How to Prompt Claude: The 5-Step Framework

Most people give Claude a vague one-liner and get a mediocre answer. This is the five-step framework from the video for writing prompts that actually work - build up outcome, context, constraints, a reference and a self-critique loop. At the bottom is the reusable master template to copy.

The 5-step framework

Step 1: Ask for an outcome
Start with a finished deliverable, not a vague request.
create a 30-day content calendar with 3 weekly posts for beginner designers, including the hook, format, CTA and production difficulty
Step 2: Add relevant context
Name the platform, the exact audience and your goal.
create a 30-day content calendar for Instagram with 3 weekly posts for beginner UI designers, including the hook, format, CTA and production difficulty. I aim to help designers with understanding website accessibility and keeping them up to date with the latest trends.
Step 3: Add constraints
Tell Claude what to avoid and how strict to be.
Modify the document with the following constraints:
* double check each fact, avoid any information that is not confirmed twice
* Avoid the use of Canva
Step 4: Give Claude a reference
Attach an example and say exactly what to take from it.
change the post structures as per the provided reference. Use the length, writing style and level of detail
  

Attach your own example when you use this prompt.
Step 5: Make Claude plan, then critique itself
Add a plan before the answer and a critic loop after it.
Before completing any task, plan the execution using the following steps:
1. identify the keywords for research
2. list the assumptions
3. build a plan
4. ask for missing information
5. complete the final output


After completing the task, use this critic loop to improve the final product:
1. produce draft
2. Evaluate based on ease of read, grammar, and engagement
3. critique against the criteria
4. revise
5. run a final factual and consistency check

The master template (copy this)

Replace everything in [brackets] and fill in your constraints.

create a [final outcome] for [platform] with [length/quantity] for [audience], including [needed content items]. I aim to [your goal]
Implement the following constraints:
* a
* b
* c


Use the attached reference to [what you want Claude to extract from the reference]


Before completing the task, plan the execution using the following steps:
1. identify the keywords for research
2. list the assumptions
3. build a plan
4. ask for missing information
5. complete the final output


After completing the task, use this critic loop to improve the final product:
1. produce draft
2. Evaluate based on ease of read, grammar, and engagement
3. critique against the criteria
4. revise
5. run a final factual and consistency check


Show me the document then turn it into an interactive tool with [specific details] after my approval