Lesson 6: Boundaries
Prompt Engineering Basics · Lesson 6 of 10
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The Big Idea
Boundaries set the limits — length, format, scope, and what to avoid. Boundaries don’t make the result worse. They make it fit.
Common Boundaries
| Boundary | Example |
|---|---|
| Length | ”Under 400 words.” |
| Format | ”As a table with three columns.” |
| Scope | ”Only cover monthly expenses, not investing.” |
| Language | ”Plain language, no jargon.” |
| Sources | ”Use only the document I attached.” |
| Exclusions | ”No product recommendations.” |
Format Is a Boundary Too
A paragraph may be correct — but useless. Sometimes a table, checklist, step-by-step plan, or comparison is far more valuable. Asking for the right format is one of the fastest ways to get a usable result.
Try It
Add three boundaries to your budgeting prompt: one for length, one for format, and one exclusion.
Learn the principle. Then practice it.