Prompt Engineering Techniques
Master 7 proven techniques to create production-ready applications with AI assistance
Why Prompt Engineering Matters
The difference between a vague prompt and a well-engineered one can be 10x in output quality. These techniques power the 777-1 Context Engineering methodology and are demonstrated in each case study.
Quality Improvement
Time Saved Per Project
First-Try Success Rate
Start Here
Essential techniques that form the foundation of effective prompt engineering.
Zero-Shot Prompting
Direct instruction without examples - the AI figures it out from the prompt alone.
When to Use:
- •When the task is straightforward and self-explanatory
- •For common tasks the AI has seen many times during training
Few-Shot Prompting
Provide 2-5 examples to show the AI exactly what you want - pattern matching at its finest.
When to Use:
- •When you need consistent formatting across outputs
- •For specialized or domain-specific tasks
Level Up
Advanced patterns for complex projects and sophisticated requirements.
Chain Prompting
Break complex tasks into sequential steps, using the output of one prompt as input for the next.
When to Use:
- •For multi-step processes that build on each other
- •When you need to verify or refine outputs before proceeding
Prompt Decomposition
Break down one large prompt into multiple focused prompts, each handling a specific aspect.
When to Use:
- •When a single prompt tries to do too much
- •For projects with distinct, independent components
Constraint-Based Prompting
Explicitly state what the AI cannot or must not do - boundaries create better outputs.
When to Use:
- •When working within specific technical limitations
- •To enforce coding standards or style guides
Master Level
Professional techniques for enterprise projects and specialized domains.
Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
Provide relevant context or documentation in your prompt to enhance the AI's knowledge base.
When to Use:
- •When working with proprietary or internal documentation
- •For domain-specific knowledge not in the AI's training
System Prompts
Set persistent instructions that apply to all subsequent prompts in a conversation.
When to Use:
- •When working on a project with consistent requirements across many prompts
- •To establish coding standards for an entire session
Ready to Master Prompt Engineering?
Start with beginner techniques and work your way up. Each technique includes real examples from the 777-1 case studies, best practices, and common pitfalls to avoid.