Prompt Cheat Sheet
Copy-paste prompts for when things aren't working the way you want — or when you want more.
These prompts work with any main agent. Adapt the specifics to your situation.
Orchestration & Delegation
Use these when your agent is doing the work themselves instead of routing to the right specialist, or when you want to make sure the right agent handles something.
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Orchestration & Delegation
Use these when your agent is doing the work themselves instead of routing to the right specialist, or when you want to make sure the right agent handles something.
Loop in [Snag/Forge/Rosetta/Scribe/Sentinel] for this — don't handle it yourself.Route this to Forge. I want you to spec it out and let them build it.This is a Snag job. Hand it off and let me know what they find.Don't do this yourself — delegate it and report back when it's done.Treat yourself as the orchestrator here. What do you need from me, and who are you routing each piece to?
Communication Style
Use these when your agent's tone, length, or format isn't matching what you need.
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Communication Style
Use these when your agent's tone, length, or format isn't matching what you need.
Be shorter. I want the key point in 2-3 sentences max, then stop.Stop summarizing and just tell me what you think.Give me bullet points, not paragraphs.Less formal. Talk to me like a person.More direct. Don't soften it — just say it.You're being too verbose. Cut it in half.I need more context here, not less. Walk me through your reasoning.Format this for [Telegram/email/Slack] — keep it appropriate for that channel.
Memory & Context
Use these when your agent seems to have forgotten something, or when you want to lock in important context.
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Memory & Context
Use these when your agent seems to have forgotten something, or when you want to lock in important context.
Remember this going forward: [X]. Add it to your memory.You seem to have forgotten [X]. Here's the context: [Y]. Keep this in mind.Update my MEMORY.md with this: [X].Before we continue — here's what you need to know about this situation: [X].Pull up what you know about [project/person/topic] and summarize it before we start.Treat this as a standing instruction unless I tell you otherwise: [X].
Task Correction & Revision
Use these when a task came back wrong and you need a clean revision without a long back-and-forth.
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Task Correction & Revision
Use these when a task came back wrong and you need a clean revision without a long back-and-forth.
That's not quite right. Here's what was off: [X]. Try again with that in mind.Start over on this. The issue was [X]. This time, [Y].Close, but [X] needs to change. Keep everything else.You misunderstood the brief. The actual goal is [X]. Try again.Too [long/short/formal/casual]. Revise it with that adjustment only.The output was fine but the format was wrong. Re-format it as [X].
Getting Unstuck
Use these when you're not sure what to ask, or when a project has stalled.
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Getting Unstuck
Use these when you're not sure what to ask, or when a project has stalled.
I'm stuck on [X]. What's the most important next step?What's blocking us right now on [project]?Give me three options for how to approach [X]. I'll pick one.I don't know what to ask. Here's the situation: [X]. What should we be working on?What have we decided about [X] so far? Summarize and tell me what's still open.What's the fastest path to [goal] from where we are right now?
Proactive Behavior
Use these to shape how your agent checks in, surfaces things, and works in the background.
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Proactive Behavior
Use these to shape how your agent checks in, surfaces things, and works in the background.
Start checking in on [project/topic] proactively. Flag anything that needs my attention.I want a daily briefing at [time]. Here's what to include: [X].Stop surfacing [X] unless it's urgent. I don't need updates on that.Add [X] to your regular checks. Flag it if [condition].I want less frequent check-ins. Only reach out if something actually needs me.Be more proactive. If you notice something I should know, tell me — don't wait to be asked.
Working with the Supporting Team
Use these to loop in specialists or manage how your main agent coordinates the crew.
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Working with the Supporting Team
Use these to loop in specialists or manage how your main agent coordinates the crew.
Something's broken. Loop in Snag and let me know what they find.I don't understand why [X] happened. Have Rosetta explain it.I need [X] written. Route it to Quill. Give them the brief and bring me the draft.Have Forge update [file/config] to [X]. Spec it out clearly before they start.Scout — research [topic] and give me a brief. I want sources.Loop in the right agent for this. You decide who and why.
Reinforcing Behaviors That Aren't Sticking
Use these when something you've asked for before keeps slipping. These prompts help re-anchor the behavior.
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Reinforcing Behaviors That Aren't Sticking
Use these when something you've asked for before keeps slipping. These prompts help re-anchor the behavior.
I've asked you before to [X]. This is a standing instruction. Please re-confirm you have it.This keeps coming up. Add it to your AGENTS.md or memory so it doesn't slip again.Reset. Here are the three things I always want from you: [1], [2], [3]. Confirm.You're doing [X] again — I've asked you not to. What do I need to do to make this stick?Let's update your operating rules. Going forward: [X]. Write it down.Add this to your permanent instructions: [X]. It should apply to every session.
Big Picture / Orientation
Use these to zoom out, reorient, or get a clear picture of where things stand.
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Big Picture / Orientation
Use these to zoom out, reorient, or get a clear picture of where things stand.
Give me a status update on everything we're working on.What's the most important thing I should be focused on right now?What have we accomplished this week? What's still open?I've been away. Catch me up — what happened and what needs my attention?Are we making progress on [goal]? Be honest.What am I missing that I should be paying attention to?