# Refine Prompt

> >-

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-iliaal-whetstone-refine-prompt`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [iliaal](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/iliaal)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [iliaal](https://github.com/iliaal)
- **Source:** https://github.com/iliaal/whetstone/tree/master/distillery/generated-skills/refine-prompt

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-iliaal-whetstone-refine-prompt
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Refining Prompts

## Process

1. **Assess** — Identify what the prompt is missing:

| Element | Check |
|---------|-------|
| Task | Is the core action explicit and unambiguous? |
| Constraints | Are length, format, tone, and scope defined? |
| Output format | Does it specify the expected structure? |
| Context | Does the model have enough background to act? |
| Examples | Would a demonstration clarify the expected output? |
| Edge cases | Are failure modes and boundary conditions addressed? |

2. **Rewrite** — Transform into specification language: precise, imperative, no filler. Treat the prompt as a spec, not conversation.

3. **Validate** — Check the rewrite against the assessment table. Every gap identified in step 1 must be addressed.

## Rules

- **Length**: 0.75x–1.5x the original. Conciseness is a feature — add only what's missing, cut what's vague.
- **Never invent** — only use information present in the original prompt or conversation context. If critical info is missing, ask instead of assuming.
- **Instruction hierarchy** — order sections by priority: task → constraints → examples → input data → output format. Place the most important instruction first.
- **Progressive complexity** — start with the simplest prompt that could work. Add few-shot examples, chain-of-thought, or role framing only when the task demands it, not by default.
- **Specific verbs** — replace vague actions ("analyze", "process", "handle") with measurable ones ("list the top 3", "classify as A/B/C", "return JSON with keys X, Y").
- **One output format** — specify exactly one format (JSON schema, markdown template, numbered list). Ambiguous format expectations cause inconsistent results.
- **No meta-commentary** — output only the refined prompt as markdown. No preamble ("Here's an improved version..."), no explanation of changes unless explicitly requested.

## Anti-Patterns

| Problem | Fix |
|---------|-----|
| Vague verbs ("look into", "deal with") | Replace with concrete actions ("list", "compare", "extract") |
| Missing output spec | Add explicit format section with example structure |
| Examples contradict instructions | Align examples to match every stated rule |
| Over-engineered from the start | Strip to simplest working version, then add complexity only where output quality requires it |
| Prompt exceeds context with examples | Limit to 2–3 diverse examples; use one simple, one edge case |

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [iliaal](https://github.com/iliaal)
- **Source:** [iliaal/whetstone](https://github.com/iliaal/whetstone)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-iliaal-whetstone-refine-prompt
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/iliaal
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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Listed on AgentStack — the marketplace for AI agent skills and MCP servers. Every listing is security-reviewed. Creators keep 70%.