> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.doe.so/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Prompting > Write requests that turn agents into reliable task owners Good prompts tell Doe the goal, sources, output, constraints, and validation expectations. This matters most for larger requests where agents may use files, integrations, research, spreadsheets, connected data, and code sandboxes. ## The Pattern ```text theme={null} Goal: what should be true when the work is done. Sources: which files, folders, sessions, integrations, or websites to use. Output: answer, table, spreadsheet, edited file, chart, email draft, or action plan. Constraints: timeframe, audience, tone, permissions, format, and exclusions. Validation: how Doe should check the answer before finalizing. ``` ## Vague vs Specific | Vague | Better | | --------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `Look at our sales data` | `Analyze Q4 deals from @HubSpot closing in the next 30 days. Return a table with deal name, value, stage, owner, days since last activity, and next step. Flag deals over $50k with no activity this week.` | | `Help with customer emails` | `Search @Gmail for customer replies in the last 48 hours mentioning "billing" or "invoice". Draft a response for each. Do not send; include the source thread and confidence.` | | `Review this document` | `Read @msa.pdf. Extract termination, renewal, payment, liability, and data-processing clauses. Cite page numbers and flag anything that needs legal review.` | *** ## Ask For End-to-End Work Doe is strongest when you ask for a finished outcome, not just a short answer. | Goal | Strong prompt | | ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Market map | `Build a market map of 100 AI startups in procurement. Include funding, headcount, product focus, buyer, recent signals, and source links. Return a spreadsheet and a short memo.` | | Pricing research | `Review these 30 competitor pricing pages. Extract plans, limits, packaging, add-ons, and enterprise signals. Cite sources and create a comparison workbook.` | | Board prep | `Use the Q1 metrics folder and connected CRM to create a board-ready KPI summary with risks, wins, charts, and open questions.` | | Retention analysis | `Analyze retention by signup source and segment. Validate totals, chart cohorts, and explain the 3 most likely drivers.` | | Prospecting | `Create a list of 100 target CFOs in mid-market SaaS. Include company, title, source, personalization angle, and draft outreach. Do not send.` | | Team update | `Every Friday at 3pm PT, summarize shipped work, customer risks, and revenue updates from the connected sources. Draft a Slack update for review.` | ## Use @mentions Type `@` to reference the exact context Doe should use. ```text theme={null} @report.pdf What are the key findings? ``` ```text theme={null} @HubSpot Show deals over $100k with no activity in 2 weeks ``` ```text theme={null} @Q1 folder Search every file for churn-risk mentions and cite the source file. ``` ```text theme={null} @Google Sheets Import this sheet, clean duplicate rows, add formulas, and sync changes back. ``` *** ## Ask Doe to Search First If you do not know which file, thread, or app has the answer, say that. Doe can search before it reads deeply. ```text theme={null} Search all indexed files for references to "termination for convenience". Show the top matches with filename, page or section, and exact clause text. ``` ```text theme={null} Find the most recent customer complaint about onboarding across @Gmail and @Slack. Summarize the thread and link the source. ``` ## Ask for a Durable Output Doe can create or edit artifacts, not just answer. | Output | Prompt example | | --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Edited document | `Fill @vendor-form.pdf using @company-profile.docx. Save a completed PDF and tell me what fields were left blank.` | | Spreadsheet | `Create a spreadsheet from this CSV with summary, assumptions, formulas, charts, and clean formatting.` | | Chart | `Create a chart of monthly revenue by segment. Include the chart and the cleaned CSV.` | | Email draft | `Draft three versions of the reply. Do not send until I approve.` | | Calendar draft | `Draft calendar holds for these interview slots. Ask me before creating events.` | | Research memo | `Cite every claim with source URLs and include a confidence section.` | ## Use Validation Language Tell Doe how careful it should be. ```text theme={null} Verify totals with formulas and an independent check before finalizing. ``` ```text theme={null} For every extracted clause, include filename, page, and whether the source was a direct quote or paraphrase. ``` ```text theme={null} If any required form field is missing, leave it blank and list what information you need from me. ``` ## Make Work Repeatable Add schedule language when you want a Loop. ```text theme={null} Every weekday at 8am PT, check @HubSpot and @Gmail for stalled enterprise deals. Send me a risk summary with owner, last activity, and recommended next step. ``` *** ## Redirect Anytime You can send a message while agent work runs to narrow scope, change format, add context, or stop before an external action. *** Turn prompts into repeatable work Watch agents work alongside chat Learn the difference between chat search, Library search, and content search Share responses, conversations, files, and folders Turn prompts into recurring tasks