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AI Prompts for Developers: Code, Debug, and Document Faster (2026)

40+ AI prompts designed specifically for software developers. Write better code, debug faster, generate documentation, and automate tedious development tasks with these ready-to-use templates.

Ralphable Team
18 min read
ai promptsdeveloperscodingdebuggingdocumentationprogrammingsoftware engineering

# AI Prompts for Developers: Code, Debug, and Document Faster (2026)

Every developer knows the frustration: you are stuck on a bug that should take 10 minutes but has consumed 2 hours. Or you need to write documentation for code that is perfectly clear to you but apparently incomprehensible to everyone else. Or you are implementing the same boilerplate patterns for the hundredth time.

AI assistants can help with all of this, but only if you know how to ask correctly.

Generic prompts like "help me fix this bug" produce generic, often useless responses. Specific, well-structured prompts produce code you can actually use.

This guide gives you 40+ battle-tested prompts specifically designed for software development. These are not theoretical examples. They are templates refined through real development work, designed to produce immediately useful outputs.

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How Developers Should Use AI

Before diving into prompts, understand the optimal way to integrate AI into your development workflow.

AI as Pair Programmer, Not Replacement

The best developers use AI to:

  • Accelerate routine coding (boilerplate, CRUD operations, standard patterns)
  • Debug faster by getting fresh perspectives on problems
  • Learn new technologies with explained examples
  • Generate documentation that they then refine
  • Explore approaches before committing to implementation
They do NOT use AI to:
  • Write code they do not understand
  • Skip code review on AI-generated output
  • Replace learning foundational concepts
  • Generate production code without testing

The Developer AI Workflow

  • Prompt: Clearly describe what you need with context
  • Review: Read and understand the generated code
  • Verify: Test that it works correctly
  • Refine: Ask for improvements or modifications
  • Integrate: Adapt to your codebase's patterns

    • Never commit AI-generated code you do not understand or have not tested.

    ---

    Code Generation Prompts (12 Templates)

    These prompts help you write code faster while maintaining quality.

    Prompt 1: Function Implementation

    `` Write a [LANGUAGE] function that [SPECIFIC TASK].

    Requirements:

    • Input: [DESCRIBE INPUT PARAMETERS AND TYPES]
    • Output: [DESCRIBE RETURN VALUE AND TYPE]
    • Edge cases to handle: [LIST EDGE CASES]
    • Performance considerations: [ANY CONSTRAINTS]
    Code style:
    • [YOUR CODING CONVENTIONS - e.g., camelCase, snake_case]
    • [ERROR HANDLING APPROACH]
    • [COMMENT STYLE IF NEEDED]
    Context: This function will be used in [WHERE/HOW IT'S USED].

    Provide:

  • The implementation
  • Brief explanation of approach
  • Example usage
  • Unit test cases
    • `

    Prompt 2: Class/Module Implementation

    ` Create a [LANGUAGE] class/module for [PURPOSE].

    Class responsibilities:

    • [RESPONSIBILITY 1]
    • [RESPONSIBILITY 2]
    • [RESPONSIBILITY 3]
    Required methods:
    • [METHOD 1]: [DESCRIPTION]
    • [METHOD 2]: [DESCRIPTION]
    Properties/attributes:
    • [PROPERTY 1]: [TYPE AND PURPOSE]
    • [PROPERTY 2]: [TYPE AND PURPOSE]
    Design considerations:
    • Inheritance: [EXTENDS/IMPLEMENTS IF ANY]
    • Pattern: [SINGLETON/FACTORY/ETC. IF RELEVANT]
    • Dependencies: [WHAT IT DEPENDS ON]
    Include:
    • Complete implementation
    • Constructor documentation
    • Method documentation
    • Example instantiation and usage
    `

    Prompt 3: API Endpoint Implementation

    ` Write a [FRAMEWORK] API endpoint for [PURPOSE].

    Endpoint: [METHOD] [PATH]

    Request:

    • Headers: [REQUIRED HEADERS]
    • Body: [REQUEST BODY SCHEMA]
    • Query params: [QUERY PARAMETERS]
    Response:
    • Success (200): [SUCCESS RESPONSE SCHEMA]
    • Error cases: [LIST ERROR RESPONSES WITH STATUS CODES]
    Business logic:
    • [STEP 1]
    • [STEP 2]
    • Validation: [WHAT TO VALIDATE]
    Security:
    • Authentication: [AUTH METHOD]
    • Authorization: [PERMISSIONS REQUIRED]
    Include:
    • Route handler implementation
    • Input validation
    • Error handling
    • Database operations if needed: [ORM/DRIVER]
    • Response formatting
    `

    Prompt 4: Database Query

    ` Write a [DATABASE/ORM] query for [WHAT YOU NEED].

    Tables/collections involved:

    • [TABLE 1]: [RELEVANT COLUMNS]
    • [TABLE 2]: [RELEVANT COLUMNS]
    Requirements:
    • Filter by: [CONDITIONS]
    • Sort by: [ORDERING]
    • Limit: [PAGINATION IF NEEDED]
    • Include related data: [JOINS/RELATIONS]
    Expected output format: [DESCRIBE WHAT THE RESULT SHOULD LOOK LIKE]

    Optimization considerations:

    • Expected data volume: [APPROXIMATE ROWS]
    • Indexes available: [RELEVANT INDEXES]
    Provide:
  • The query
  • Explanation of approach
  • Index recommendations if performance matters
    • `

    Prompt 5: React Component

    ` Create a React component for [COMPONENT PURPOSE].

    Component: [NAME]

    Props:

    • [PROP 1]: [TYPE] - [DESCRIPTION]
    • [PROP 2]: [TYPE] - [DESCRIPTION]
    State (if any):
    • [STATE 1]: [PURPOSE]
    Behavior:
    • [BEHAVIOR 1]
    • [BEHAVIOR 2]
    Styling approach: [CSS MODULES/STYLED-COMPONENTS/TAILWIND/ETC.]

    Requirements:

    • TypeScript: [YES/NO]
    • Tests: [INCLUDE TESTS?]
    • Accessibility: [A11Y REQUIREMENTS]
    Design reference: [DESCRIBE VISUALS IF HELPFUL]

    Include:

    • Complete component implementation
    • Type definitions (if TypeScript)
    • Example usage with props
    • Basic styling
    `

    Prompt 6: Data Transformation

    ` Write a function to transform [INPUT DATA TYPE] to [OUTPUT DATA TYPE].

    Input format: `json [EXAMPLE INPUT] `

    Desired output format: `json [EXAMPLE OUTPUT] `

    Transformation rules:

    • [RULE 1]
    • [RULE 2]
    • [RULE 3]
    Handle these cases:
    • Missing fields: [HOW TO HANDLE]
    • Invalid data: [HOW TO HANDLE]
    • Empty input: [HOW TO HANDLE]
    Language: [YOUR LANGUAGE]     `

    Prompt 7: Algorithm Implementation

    ` Implement [ALGORITHM NAME] in [LANGUAGE].

    Problem description: [DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM THIS SOLVES]

    Input: [INPUT FORMAT] Output: [OUTPUT FORMAT]

    Constraints:

    • Time complexity target: [O(?)]
    • Space complexity target: [O(?)]
    • Input size: [EXPECTED RANGE]
    Include:
  • Implementation with comments explaining each step
  • Time/space complexity analysis
  • Example with walkthrough
  • Edge cases handled
  • Alternative approaches (if relevant)
    • `

    Prompt 8: Regex Pattern

    ` Write a regex pattern to [WHAT IT SHOULD MATCH].

    Should match:

    • [EXAMPLE 1]
    • [EXAMPLE 2]
    • [EXAMPLE 3]
    Should NOT match:
    • [COUNTER-EXAMPLE 1]
    • [COUNTER-EXAMPLE 2]
    Language/flavor: [JAVASCRIPT/PYTHON/PCRE/ETC.]

    Include:

  • The pattern
  • Explanation of each part
  • Test cases
  • Common gotchas for this pattern type
    • `

    Prompt 9: Shell Script

    ` Write a bash/shell script to [PURPOSE].

    The script should:

  • [STEP 1]
  • [STEP 2]
  • [STEP 3]

    • Inputs:

    • Arguments: [EXPECTED ARGUMENTS]
    • Environment variables: [REQUIRED ENV VARS]
    Error handling:
    • [WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN IF X FAILS]
    Output:
    • [WHAT THE SCRIPT SHOULD OUTPUT/LOG]
    Environment: [OS/SHELL]

    Include:

    • Shebang and header comment
    • Argument parsing and validation
    • Error handling
    • Progress output
    • Usage instructions
    `

    Prompt 10: Test Suite

    ` Write tests for [FUNCTION/CLASS/MODULE].

    Code to test: `[language] [PASTE THE CODE] `

    Testing framework: [JEST/PYTEST/MOCHA/ETC.]

    Test cases needed:

  • Happy path: [DESCRIPTION]
  • Edge cases:
    • - [EDGE CASE 1] - [EDGE CASE 2]
  • Error cases:
    • - [ERROR CASE 1] - [ERROR CASE 2]

    Include:

    • Setup/teardown if needed
    • Mocks/stubs required: [WHAT TO MOCK]
    • Descriptive test names
    • Assertions with clear expectations
    `

    Prompt 11: Migration Script

    ` Write a database migration for [PURPOSE].

    Migration type: [CREATE TABLE/ALTER/DATA MIGRATION]

    Changes:

    • [CHANGE 1]
    • [CHANGE 2]
    Schema details:
    • Table: [TABLE NAME]
    • Columns: [COLUMN DEFINITIONS]
    • Indexes: [INDEX REQUIREMENTS]
    • Constraints: [FOREIGN KEYS, UNIQUE, ETC.]
    Framework: [KNEX/PRISMA/ALEMBIC/RAW SQL/ETC.]

    Include:

    • Up migration
    • Down migration (rollback)
    • Data handling if existing data affected
    • Deployment considerations
    `

    Prompt 12: Configuration/Setup

    ` Write configuration for [TOOL/SERVICE].

    Tool: [WEBPACK/DOCKER/NGINX/ETC.]

    Requirements:

    • [REQUIREMENT 1]
    • [REQUIREMENT 2]
    • [REQUIREMENT 3]
    Environment: [DEV/PROD/BOTH]

    Integrations:

    • [INTEGRATION 1]
    • [INTEGRATION 2]
    Include:
    • Complete config file
    • Comments explaining non-obvious settings
    • Environment-specific variations if needed
    • Common troubleshooting notes
    `

    ---

    Debugging Prompts (8 Templates)

    These prompts help you find and fix bugs faster.

    Prompt 13: Bug Analysis

    ` Debug this code that is [DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM].

    Code: `[language] [PASTE YOUR CODE] `

    Expected behavior: [WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN] Actual behavior: [WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS]

    Error message (if any): ` [PASTE ERROR MESSAGE] `

    What I have tried:

    • [ATTEMPTED FIX 1]
    • [ATTEMPTED FIX 2]
    Context:
    • Environment: [NODE VERSION, PYTHON VERSION, ETC.]
    • Dependencies: [RELEVANT PACKAGES]
    • When it happens: [CONDITIONS THAT TRIGGER BUG]
    Please:
  • Identify the bug
  • Explain why it happens
  • Provide the fix
  • Explain how to prevent similar bugs
    • `

    Prompt 14: Error Message Explanation

    ` Explain this error and how to fix it: ` [PASTE FULL ERROR MESSAGE AND STACK TRACE] `

    Code that caused it: `[language] [PASTE RELEVANT CODE] `

    Context:

    • What I was trying to do: [DESCRIPTION]
    • Environment: [RELEVANT ENVIRONMENT DETAILS]
    Please provide:
  • What this error means in plain English
  • The most likely cause in my code
  • How to fix it
  • How to prevent it in the future
    • `

    Prompt 15: Code Review for Bugs

    ` Review this code for potential bugs, issues, and improvements. `[language] [PASTE YOUR CODE] `

    Code purpose: [WHAT THIS CODE DOES]

    Specifically check for:

    • Logic errors
    • Edge cases not handled
    • Performance issues
    • Security vulnerabilities
    • Memory leaks (if applicable)
    • Race conditions (if applicable)
    Provide:
  • List of issues found with severity (critical/medium/low)
  • Explanation of each issue
  • Suggested fixes
  • Best practice recommendations
    • `

    Prompt 16: Performance Investigation

    ` This code is slow. Help me identify performance issues. `[language] [PASTE YOUR CODE] `

    Performance symptoms:

    • [DESCRIBE HOW IT'S SLOW]
    • Data size: [INPUT SIZE WHEN SLOW]
    • Current time: [HOW LONG IT TAKES]
    • Target time: [ACCEPTABLE TIME]
    Environment:
    • [RELEVANT INFRASTRUCTURE]
    • [DATABASE/CACHE SETUP]
    Analyze:
  • Big-O complexity of current approach
  • Bottleneck identification
  • Optimization suggestions
  • Alternative approaches if needed
    • `

    Prompt 17: Memory Leak Investigation

    ` Help me find a potential memory leak.

    Symptoms:

    • [DESCRIBE MEMORY BEHAVIOR]
    • When it occurs: [TRIGGER CONDITIONS]
    • Memory growth pattern: [LINEAR/EXPONENTIAL/ETC.]
    Code that might be responsible:     `[language] [PASTE SUSPECT CODE] `

    Technology: [LANGUAGE/FRAMEWORK]

    Check for:

    • Unclosed resources
    • Event listener accumulation
    • Circular references
    • Cache unbounded growth
    • [OTHER SPECIFIC CONCERNS]
    Provide:
  • Likely causes
  • How to confirm each
  • Fixes for each issue
  • Memory profiling recommendations
    • `

    Prompt 18: Race Condition Analysis

    ` I suspect a race condition in this code. `[language] [PASTE YOUR CODE] `

    Symptoms:

    • [INTERMITTENT BEHAVIOR DESCRIPTION]
    • Frequency: [HOW OFTEN IT OCCURS]
    • Conditions: [WHEN IT'S MORE LIKELY]
    Concurrent access points:
    • [WHAT ACCESSES THIS CODE CONCURRENTLY]
    Analyze:
  • Potential race conditions
  • Shared state issues
  • Ordering assumptions that might break
  • Recommended synchronization approach
  • Code fix with proper locking/synchronization
    • `

    Prompt 19: Dependency/Import Issues

    ` I'm getting import/dependency errors.

    Error: ` [PASTE ERROR] `

    My imports: `[language] [PASTE IMPORT STATEMENTS] `

    Package.json/requirements.txt/etc.: ` [PASTE DEPENDENCY FILE] `

    Project structure: [DESCRIBE RELEVANT FILE STRUCTURE]

    Help me:

  • Understand what's wrong
  • Fix the import issue
  • Set up dependencies correctly
    • `

    Prompt 20: API/Integration Debugging

    ` My API integration is not working correctly.

    Code making the request: `[language] [PASTE YOUR CODE] `

    Expected response: `json [EXPECTED FORMAT] `

    Actual response: `json [ACTUAL RESPONSE OR ERROR] `

    API documentation reference: [LINK OR DESCRIPTION]

    Check:

  • Request format issues
  • Authentication problems
  • Header issues
  • Error handling gaps
  • Provide working implementation
    • `

    ---

    Documentation Prompts (8 Templates)

    These prompts help you write clear, useful documentation faster.

    Prompt 21: Function/Method Documentation

    ` Write documentation for this function: `[language] [PASTE YOUR FUNCTION] `

    Documentation style: [JSDOC/DOCSTRING/JAVADOC/ETC.]

    Include:

    • Brief description
    • Parameter descriptions with types
    • Return value description
    • Exceptions/errors thrown
    • Example usage
    • Edge cases/notes
    Make it clear enough for someone unfamiliar with the codebase.     `

    Prompt 22: API Documentation

    ` Write API documentation for this endpoint:

    Endpoint: [METHOD] [PATH]

    Implementation: `[language] [PASTE ROUTE HANDLER] `

    Document using: [OPENAPI/MARKDOWN/ETC.]

    Include:

    • Endpoint description
    • Authentication requirements
    • Request parameters (path, query, body)
    • Request body schema with examples
    • Response schemas for all status codes
    • Example request/response pairs
    • Error codes and meanings
    `

    Prompt 23: README Generator

    ` Write a README.md for this project:

    Project name: [NAME] Purpose: [WHAT IT DOES] Technology: [TECH STACK]

    Features:

    • [FEATURE 1]
    • [FEATURE 2]
    • [FEATURE 3]
    Setup requirements:
    • [REQUIREMENT 1]
    • [REQUIREMENT 2]
    Include sections:
  • Project title and description
  • Features
  • Prerequisites
  • Installation instructions
  • Configuration (environment variables)
  • Usage examples
  • API reference (if applicable)
  • Contributing guidelines
  • License

    • Make it welcoming to new contributors. `

    Prompt 24: Code Comments

    ` Add clear comments to this code: `[language] [PASTE YOUR CODE] `

    Comment style guidelines:

    • [YOUR TEAM'S COMMENT STYLE]
    Add comments that explain:
    • Why non-obvious decisions were made
    • Complex algorithm steps
    • Business logic reasoning
    • Potential gotchas
    Do NOT add comments that just restate what the code does.     `

    Prompt 25: Architecture Documentation

    ` Write architecture documentation for this system.

    Components:

    • [COMPONENT 1]: [PURPOSE]
    • [COMPONENT 2]: [PURPOSE]
    • [COMPONENT 3]: [PURPOSE]
    Data flow:
  • [STEP 1]
  • [STEP 2]
  • [STEP 3]

    • Technologies:

    • [TECH 1]: Used for [PURPOSE]
    • [TECH 2]: Used for [PURPOSE]
    Include:
    • System overview
    • Component descriptions
    • Data flow diagrams (as text/mermaid)
    • Key design decisions and rationale
    • Scaling considerations
    • Security considerations
    `

    Prompt 26: Changelog Entry

    ` Write a changelog entry for this change:

    What changed:

    • [CHANGE 1]
    • [CHANGE 2]
    Code diff summary: [DESCRIBE KEY CHANGES]

    Breaking changes: [YES/NO - DESCRIBE IF YES] Migration needed: [YES/NO - DESCRIBE IF YES]

    Format: [KEEP A CHANGELOG/CONVENTIONAL/CUSTOM] Version: [VERSION NUMBER]

    Include:

    • User-facing description of changes
    • Migration instructions if needed
    • Deprecation notices if applicable
    `

    Prompt 27: Troubleshooting Guide

    ` Create a troubleshooting guide for [FEATURE/COMPONENT].

    Common issues users face:

  • [ISSUE 1]
  • [ISSUE 2]
  • [ISSUE 3]

    • For each issue, document:

    • Symptom (what they see)
    • Likely causes
    • Diagnostic steps
    • Solution
    • Prevention
    Also include:
    • How to collect logs/diagnostics
    • When to escalate
    • Support contact info
    `

    Prompt 28: Onboarding Documentation

    ` Write developer onboarding documentation for this project.

    Project: [NAME] Complexity level: [SIMPLE/MODERATE/COMPLEX]

    New developers need to understand:

    • [CONCEPT 1]
    • [CONCEPT 2]
    • [CONCEPT 3]
    Include:
  • Project overview and purpose
  • Architecture high-level
  • Development environment setup
  • Codebase tour (key directories and files)
  • Common workflows (how to add X, modify Y)
  • Testing approach
  • Deployment process
  • Who to ask for help

    • Make this digestible in 30-60 minutes. `

    ---

    Code Review & Refactoring Prompts (6 Templates)

    These prompts help you improve existing code.

    Prompt 29: Code Review

    ` Review this code as a senior developer would. `[language] [PASTE YOUR CODE] `

    Focus areas:

    • Code quality and readability
    • SOLID principles adherence
    • Error handling
    • Performance
    • Security
    • Test coverage needs
    Provide feedback as:
  • Critical issues (must fix)
  • Suggestions (should consider)
  • Nitpicks (style/minor)

    • Include specific line references and improvement suggestions. `

    Prompt 30: Refactoring Suggestions

    ` Suggest refactoring for this code: `[language] [PASTE YOUR CODE] `

    Current problems:

    • [PROBLEM 1]
    • [PROBLEM 2]
    Goals:
    • [GOAL 1: e.g., improve testability]
    • [GOAL 2: e.g., reduce complexity]
    Constraints:
    • [CONSTRAINT 1: e.g., maintain backward compatibility]
    • [CONSTRAINT 2: e.g., minimal changes]
    Provide:
  • Refactoring approach
  • Step-by-step plan
  • Refactored code
  • Before/after comparison
    • `

    Prompt 31: Design Pattern Application

    ` Refactor this code to use [DESIGN PATTERN] pattern.

    Current code: `[language] [PASTE YOUR CODE] `

    Why this pattern:

    • [REASON 1]
    • [REASON 2]
    Provide:
  • Explanation of the pattern
  • How it applies here
  • Refactored implementation
  • Benefits gained
  • Potential drawbacks to consider
    • `

    Prompt 32: Legacy Code Modernization

    ` Modernize this legacy code: `[language] [PASTE LEGACY CODE] `

    Current issues:

    • [OUTDATED PATTERN 1]
    • [OUTDATED PATTERN 2]
    Target:
    • Language version: [TARGET VERSION]
    • Framework version: [IF APPLICABLE]
    • Modern practices to apply: [LIST SPECIFIC UPDATES]
    Constraints:
    • Behavior must remain identical
    • [OTHER CONSTRAINTS]
    Provide:
  • Modernized code
  • List of changes made
  • Risks/considerations for migration
    • `

    Prompt 33: DRY Refactoring

    ` Remove duplication from this code: `[language] [PASTE CODE WITH DUPLICATION] `

    Duplicated elements:

    • [DESCRIBE WHAT'S DUPLICATED]
    Refactor to:
    • Extract common functionality
    • Create reusable abstractions
    • Maintain readability
    Provide:
  • Identified duplication points
  • Abstraction strategy
  • Refactored code
  • Usage examples of new abstractions
    • `

    Prompt 34: Performance Optimization

    ` Optimize this code for performance: `[language] [PASTE YOUR CODE] `

    Current performance:

    • [CURRENT METRICS]
    Target performance:
    • [TARGET METRICS]
    Constraints:
    • [CANNOT CHANGE X]
    • [MUST MAINTAIN Y]
    Provide:
  • Performance analysis
  • Optimization opportunities
  • Optimized implementation
  • Expected improvement
  • Trade-offs made
    • `

    ---

    Learning & Exploration Prompts (6 Templates)

    These prompts help you learn new technologies and concepts.

    Prompt 35: Technology Comparison

    ` Compare [TECHNOLOGY A] vs [TECHNOLOGY B] for [USE CASE].

    I need to choose for: [PROJECT DESCRIPTION]

    Requirements:

    • [REQUIREMENT 1]
    • [REQUIREMENT 2]
    • [REQUIREMENT 3]
    Team context:
    • Experience: [CURRENT SKILLS]
    • Timeline: [PROJECT TIMELINE]
    Compare:
  • Learning curve
  • Performance characteristics
  • Ecosystem and community
  • Long-term maintenance
  • Specific fit for my use case

    • Recommend one with clear reasoning. `

    Prompt 36: Concept Explanation

    ` Explain [CONCEPT] for a developer who knows [PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE].

    I understand:

    • [WHAT I ALREADY KNOW]
    I'm confused about:
    • [SPECIFIC CONFUSION]
    Explain:
  • Core concept in simple terms
  • Why it matters/when to use it
  • How it works technically
  • Practical example with code
  • Common mistakes to avoid
  • Resources for deeper learning
    • `

    Prompt 37: Code Example Request

    ` Show me how to [SPECIFIC TASK] in [TECHNOLOGY].

    Context:

    • My current setup: [DESCRIBE SETUP]
    • What I'm trying to achieve: [GOAL]
    • What I've tried: [PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS]
    Provide:
  • Complete working example
  • Step-by-step explanation
  • How to integrate with my setup
  • Common variations/alternatives
  • Best practices for this pattern
    • `

    Prompt 38: Best Practices Guide

    ` What are the best practices for [TOPIC] in [TECHNOLOGY/LANGUAGE]?

    My context:

    • Project type: [DESCRIPTION]
    • Team size: [SIZE]
    • Scale: [EXPECTED LOAD/SIZE]
    Cover:
  • Essential practices (must do)
  • Recommended practices (should do)
  • Advanced practices (nice to have)
  • Anti-patterns to avoid
  • How to enforce these practices
    • `

    Prompt 39: Architecture Decision

    ` Help me make an architecture decision.

    Decision: [WHAT I'M DECIDING]

    Options I'm considering:

  • [OPTION 1]: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION]
  • [OPTION 2]: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION]
  • [OPTION 3]: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION]

    • Context:

    • Project: [DESCRIPTION]
    • Scale: [EXPECTED SCALE]
    • Team: [TEAM CAPABILITIES]
    • Timeline: [CONSTRAINTS]
    For each option analyze:
  • Pros and cons
  • Implementation complexity
  • Scalability implications
  • Maintenance burden
  • When to choose this option

    • Recommend the best option with reasoning. `

    Prompt 40: Interview Preparation

    ` Help me prepare for technical interviews on [TOPIC].

    My level: [JUNIOR/MID/SENIOR] Target companies: [FAANG/STARTUP/ETC.]

    Cover:

  • Key concepts I must know
  • Common interview questions
  • Coding challenges to practice
  • System design considerations (if senior)
  • How to explain my thought process
  • Red flags to avoid

    • Include example questions with ideal answer approaches. ``

    ---

    Getting Better Results

    Include Error Messages Verbatim

    Always paste full error messages and stack traces. Do not paraphrase. The exact text often contains crucial information.

    Show Your Code

    Always include the relevant code. AI cannot help debug code it cannot see. Include enough context for the code to make sense.

    Specify Your Stack

    Mention your language version, framework version, and relevant dependencies. Solutions differ significantly across versions.

    Be Specific About Constraints

    If you cannot change certain things (legacy API, existing database schema, team coding standards), say so upfront.

    Iterate

    First response might not be perfect. Ask for modifications, alternatives, or explanations.

    ---

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Should I use AI-generated code in production?

    Yes, but always review and test it first. Treat AI code like code from a new team member: potentially good, but needs verification.

    Which AI is best for coding?

    Claude excels at producing clean, well-structured code. ChatGPT is good for quick scripts and explanations. Both work well with these prompts.

    How do I maintain code quality with AI?

    Apply the same standards to AI code as human code: code review, testing, linting, and documentation requirements.

    Will AI make me a worse programmer?

    Only if you stop thinking. Use AI to accelerate learning, not bypass it. Understanding why code works matters.

    How do I write better prompts for coding?

    Be specific about inputs, outputs, constraints, and context. Include examples of what you want. Specify language and frameworks explicitly.

    ---

    Conclusion

    AI can dramatically accelerate your development workflow when you know how to prompt effectively. These 40+ prompts cover:

    • Code generation for faster implementation
    • Debugging for quicker problem resolution
    • Documentation for better maintainability
    • Code review for higher quality
    • Learning for continuous improvement
    The key is treating AI as a capable pair programmer: give clear context, review outputs carefully, and iterate toward the best solution. Ready to level up your development workflow? [Ralphable](/) provides iterative prompts optimized for development tasks. Start free and experience prompts that keep improving until they produce exactly what you need.

    ---

    Last updated: January 2026

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