The Prompt Library
Copy, paste, fill in the brackets. Filter by where you're working: the terminal (Claude Code) builds and runs; Claude Desktop thinks and plans.
Straight from the guide
Claude DesktopScope it first (no code)
I want to build [THING]. Do NOT write code yet.
First, walk me through the plan: the goal, the pieces involved, the tradeoffs, and what "done" looks like.
Ask me anything you're unsure about, one question at a time.Terminal · Claude CodeThen build it
Here's the approved plan:
[PASTE THE PLAN FROM DESKTOP]
Build it. Make only the changes this needs, match the existing style, and verify it works before telling me it's done.Terminal · Claude CodeOrient yourself in a new project
I'm new to this project. Give me the 60-second tour:
what is it, what's the stack, where does the important code live, and how do I run it?
Keep it short and skip the obvious.Terminal · Claude CodeAsk what tools you have
What skills or tools do you have that could help with [MY TASK]?
List the top 3, what each one does, and how I trigger it.Terminal · Claude CodeThe 4-part template
GOAL: [what you want, one sentence]
CONTEXT: [the file/url/example + why it matters]
CONSTRAINTS: [what NOT to do, limits, must-keep]
DONE WHEN: [how we'll both know it worked]Claude DesktopMake a messy idea sharp
Here's a rough idea: [BRAIN DUMP].
Help me turn it into a clean brief with a goal, the context you'd need, the constraints, and a clear "done when". Ask me for anything that's missing.Terminal · Claude CodeInvoke a skill by name
/grill-me
(or just: "grill me on this plan before we build it")Terminal · Claude CodeLet Claude pick the skill
I need to [TASK]. Use whatever skill fits best, tell me which one you picked and why, then go.Terminal · Claude CodeDispatch a single research agent
Dispatch a subagent to research [TOPIC]. I want the conclusion and the 3 best sources, not a wall of text. Report back when it's done.Terminal · Claude CodeFan out independent work in parallel
This splits into independent parts: [A], [B], [C].
Dispatch one subagent per part, run them in parallel, then synthesize their results into a single answer for me.Claude DesktopPlan the orchestration first
Goal: [GOAL]. Write a brief work order: the objective, the constraints, which kinds of specialists are needed, and what "done" looks like. Don't write the detailed steps — just the score I can hand off.Claude DesktopHand a clean spec to the terminal
Turn everything we just discussed into a build spec my terminal agent can execute:
objective, the exact files/areas involved, constraints, and done-when.
Format it so I can paste it straight in.Claude DesktopReview what the terminal built
My terminal agent produced this:
[PASTE THE RESULT / DIFF]
Poke holes in it. What did it miss, what could break, and what would you change before this ships?Terminal · Claude CodeSave state to pick up anywhere
/pause — save where we are to the cloud so I can resume this on another machine later.Terminal · Claude CodeQuick stress-test of a plan
grill me on this plan before we build it:
[YOUR PLAN]
Interview me one question at a time, give me your recommended answer for each, and don't stop until it's airtight.Claude DesktopGrill a decision (no code involved)
I'm deciding [DECISION]. Grill me on it — one question at a time, each with your recommendation — until we've covered every angle and I know what to do.Everyday terminal moves
Terminal · Claude CodePlan before building
/plan [WHAT YOU WANT]
Show me the full breakdown before you touch anything.Terminal · Claude CodeBuild with verification
/build [THING]
Discuss, plan, build, then verify it works. Don't claim done without proof.Terminal · Claude CodeHunt a bug
diagnose this: [SYMPTOM]
Build a way to reproduce it first, then find the cause. Don't guess-and-check.Terminal · Claude CodeMake surgical changes
Change only what [THIS] needs. Don't refactor or 'improve' nearby code. Match the existing style.Terminal · Claude CodeDemand proof
Before you say it's done: run it, show me the output (or a screenshot of the live page), and the link.Thinking in Desktop
Claude DesktopThree options + a pick
Give me 3 ways to do [X], one short paragraph each with the tradeoff, then tell me which you'd pick and why.Claude DesktopExplain it to me simply
Explain [CONCEPT] like I've got 5 minutes and no jargon. Then show me the one example that makes it click.Claude DesktopDraft, then sharpen
Draft [THING]. Then critique your own draft and give me a tighter v2.Running the fleet
Terminal · Claude CodeWrite a work order
Write a brief work order for [GOAL]: objective, constraints, which specialists are needed, done-when. No detailed steps.Terminal · Claude CodeDispatch + synthesize
Dispatch agents for these independent parts: [A], [B], [C]. Run them in parallel and combine the results into one answer.Terminal · Claude CodeSpawn a real team (live)
Spawn a team for [GOAL] — I want the agents to coordinate with each other, not just run in isolation.