ChatGPTPromptsProductivityGuide8 min read29 Sep 2026
100 ChatGPT prompt shortcuts
From Adam
Hey, it's Adam. These are one-word shortcuts that change how ChatGPT answers. Type /tldr and you get the short version. Type /steelman and it argues the side you disagree with. Type /quizme and it turns into a tutor. There are 100 here, in ten groups, plus the trick that makes them work without explaining them every time.
how they work
How they work 🧠
These aren't hidden features. Typing a slash doesn't unlock anything. ChatGPT reads language, and a short code with a clear meaning is a fast way to tell it what you want.
That gives you two ways to use them:
1. Paste the code with its meaning. That always works:
Always works
/steelman — build the strongest version of the opposing argument.My view: [your position]
2. Teach it the codes once, then use the code on its own. Go to Settings → Personalization → Custom instructions, or a Project's instructions, and paste the 20 to 30 you use most, one per line, like this:
Custom instructions setup
When I start a message with one of these codes, follow it:/tldr = the shortest useful summary, 3 lines max/steelman = the strongest version of the opposing argument/quizme = quiz me one question at a time and wait for my answer
After that, /tldr followed by your text is all you need to type. Custom instructions allow up to 5,000 characters, so the full 100 won't fit — but your favourites will. To use all 100, put them in a Project's instructions.
the 100 shortcuts
The 100 shortcuts 🗂
Type the code, add your text or topic, and send. Codes stack: two or three in one message combine.
✍️ Writing & tone
01/humanRewrite so it sounds like a person, not a robot.
02/rewriteSay it differently, same meaning.
03/tightenCut every word that isn't earning its place.
04/expandAdd detail, depth and supporting points.
05/plainPlain language a 12-year-old could follow.
06/formalProfessional, polished tone.
07/casualRelaxed, conversational tone.
08/punchyShort sentences, strong verbs, more energy.
09/warmFriendlier and more human, without getting soft.
10/proofreadFix grammar, spelling and clarity. Keep my voice.
💡 Explain it to me
11/eli5Explain it like I'm 5.
12/eli12Simple, but with a bit more depth.
13/expertExplain it the way an expert would to a peer.
14/analogyExplain it by comparing it to something familiar.
15/whyFocus on the reason behind it, not just the what.
16/firstprinciplesBreak it down to the basic truths and rebuild.
17/deeperGo one level deeper than your last answer.
18/examplesAdd 3 concrete examples.
19/jargonDefine every technical term you used.
20/mentalmodelGive me one simple model to think about this with.
📋 Format it
21/tldrThe shortest useful summary, 3 lines max.
22/bulletsTurn it into bullet points.
23/tablePut it in a table so I can compare.
24/checklistTurn it into a checklist I can tick off.
25/stepsNumber it as a step-by-step process.
26/outlineA structured outline with headings.
27/keypointsOnly the most important takeaways.
28/onepagerA one-page summary someone busy could read.
29/faqRewrite it as questions and answers.
30/timelinePut it in chronological order.
🎓 Learn & study
31/quizmeQuiz me one question at a time; wait for my answer.
32/flashcardsTurn this into flashcard Q&A pairs.
33/feynmanExplain it as simply as possible, then find the gaps.
34/socraticTeach me by asking questions, not telling.
35/teachmeTurn this into a short lesson with a recap.
36/misconceptionsThe common misunderstandings about this.
37/studyplanA day-by-day study plan to learn this.
38/explainbackI'll explain it to you; grade me and fix my mistakes.
39/mockexamA practice exam with an answer key at the end.
40/recall5 recall questions to check I remember it tomorrow.
🚀 Ideas
41/ideas1010 ideas on this topic.
42/alt33 genuinely different alternatives.
43/hooks1010 opening hooks for this content.
44/scamperUse the SCAMPER method to generate ideas.
45/remixCombine two ideas into a new one.
46/wildThe unconventional options I wouldn't think of.
47/angles5 different angles to approach this from.
48/names10 name ideas, with a reason for each.
49/titles10 title options, from safe to bold.
50/worstideaThe worst ideas first, then flip them into good ones.
54/decideA simple decision framework, then your pick.
55/paretoThe 20% of actions that drive 80% of the result.
56/risksThe biggest risks, ranked by likelihood and impact.
57/secondorderWhat happens after the first effect wears off.
58/premortemImagine it failed. Why did it fail?
59/regretWhich option will I regret not taking in 5 years?
60/nextstepThe one most useful thing to do next, and how to start.
🥊 Challenge me
61/assumptionsThe assumptions I'm making without noticing.
62/counterThe strongest counterargument.
63/steelmanThe strongest version of the side I disagree with.
64/devilsadvocateArgue against my idea as hard as you can.
65/redteamAttack this plan like a competitor would.
66/blindspotsWhat I'm not seeing.
67/factcheckCheck the claims; search current sources; flag gaps.
68/sourcesShow where each claim comes from.
69/confidenceRate how confident you are in each part, and why.
70/whatsmissingWhat a good answer to this would include that mine doesn't.
📱 Content & social
71/scriptWrite it as a short video script.
72/threadTurn it into a social media thread.
73/captionAn Instagram caption with a hook and a CTA.
74/carouselSlide-by-slide text for a carousel.
75/hookrewriteMake this hook sharper. Give me 5 versions.
76/cta5 calls-to-action that don't sound salesy.
77/repurposeTurn this into a post, a thread and an email.
78/newsletterRewrite it as a newsletter section.
79/linkedinA LinkedIn post that doesn't sound like LinkedIn.
80/storymodeTell it as a story instead of a list.
💼 Work & business
81/emailDraft an email for this. Short, clear, one ask.
82/replyDraft a reply to this message.
83/meetingnotesDecisions, owners and deadlines from these notes.
84/agendaA meeting agenda with timings.
85/proposalA simple one-page proposal.
86/pitchA 30-second pitch for this.
87/personaDescribe the ideal customer for this.
88/pricing3 pricing options with the reasoning for each.
89/okrTurn this goal into objectives and key results.
90/sopA step-by-step process someone else could follow.
🛠 Utility & code
91/translateTranslate it. Keep the tone, not just the words.
92/convertConvert it to another format.
93/compressShrink it, keep the meaning.
94/reframePresent the same idea from a different angle.
95/coachAnswer like a coach: questions first, then advice.
96/critiqueReview this and tell me what needs fixing.
97/betterpromptRewrite my rough request as a better prompt.
98/debugFind the likely bugs in this code.
99/explaincodeExplain what this code does in plain English.
100/optimizeMake this code faster or cleaner.
three combos to try first
Three combos to try first 🔑
Making a decision
/assumptions then /premortem then /nextstepHere's my situation: [describe the decision]
Making your writing better
/human then /tighten. Keep my meaning and personality:[paste your text]
Actually learning something
/quizme on [topic]. One question at a time — wait for myanswer, tell me what I got right or wrong, then ask the next.
make the code work harder
Make the code work harder 💪
A code gets you started. The context makes the answer good. Add three things:
Who it's for: "for a busy client", "for a beginner", "for my team".
What a good result looks like: length, format, the decision you need to make.
Your material: paste the text, the notes or the data. Don't make it guess.
For /factcheck, ask it to search the web. For anything predictive, give it your assumptions and ask for several possible outcomes, not one.
honest bit
The honest bit ⚠️
These aren't "secret codes." There's no hidden feature and nothing to unlock. They're shorthand, and they work because ChatGPT reads language. The meaning is what does the work, which is why the "teach it once" trick above matters.
They're interpreted, not fixed. The same code twice gives you similar answers, not identical ones. If an answer misses, add a line of context rather than switching codes.
They work in other AIs too. Claude, Gemini and anything else that reads instructions.