Prompt Token Efficiency

Prompt Token Efficiency

Use this skill to compress prompts while preserving intent and output quality.

Goals

• Minimize token count
• Maximize clarity
• Minimize ambiguity
• Optimize for LLM execution, not human prose style

Core Rules

• Keep only task-critical information.
• Remove pleasantries, repetition, and narrative framing.
• Prefer short, concrete instructions over descriptive paragraphs.
• Use explicit constraints and output format requirements.
• Use stable terminology (one term per concept).
• Replace vague words (appropriate, some, better) with measurable criteria.
• Put required context before optional context.
• Avoid conflicting instructions.

Prose Compression Pattern

Rewrite prose to be direct and compact:

• Start with the objective in one short sentence.
• Keep only facts needed to complete the task.
• Replace long qualifiers with concrete limits.
• Remove filler words that do not change behavior.
• End with explicit success criteria.

LLM-Optimized Writing Style

• Use imperative statements.
• Prefer bullets over long prose.
• Keep each instruction atomic.
• Avoid examples unless needed to prevent failure.
• If examples are required, include one minimal example.

Ambiguity Checks

Before finalizing a prompt, verify:

• Any undefined noun is resolved.
• Any pronoun has a clear antecedent.
• Scope limits are explicit (time range, file range, quantity limits).
• Success criteria are testable.
• Output format is unambiguous.

Prose Rewrite Checks

When rewriting, ensure the final prompt:

• Uses fewer words than the original.
• Preserves all required constraints.
• Uses concrete nouns instead of pronouns where possible.
• Avoids optional wording unless options are actually allowed.
• States required output and any length bound in plain language.