There’s a difference between asking ChatGPT for “help” and directing it like a pro. Hidden in plain sight are compact prompt “commands” that act like keyboard shortcuts for everyday work—faster briefs, cleaner drafts, crisper plans. Below are five little-known but wildly useful commands, plus practical templates and chaining tips so you can use them every single day without turning your chats into a wall of instructions.
/clarify-first — turn ambiguity into a tight brief Most weak outputs start with fuzzy inputs. Lead with a command that forces requirements gathering before any writing begins. Try: /clarify-first → Ask me 8–10 high-leverage questions whose answers would materially change the result. Then restate my answers as acceptance criteria (checkbox list). Wait for my "go". You’ll save yourself a revision cycle and get a mini-contract that keeps style, length, audience, and non-goals locked in.
/rephrase+range — generate controlled stylistic variety When you need options that still sound like you, pair rephrasing with explicit spread controls. Prompt: /rephrase+range → Produce 5 alternatives that keep the meaning intact. Vary tone along this ladder: [neutral → friendly → punchy → witty → formal]. Cap each at 18 words; preserve key nouns and verbs. This yields A/B-ready lines for subject lines, hooks, and CTAs without drifting off-brand.
/critique-mode — get a ruthless edit before you publish Ask the model to change hats from writer to editor and attack the draft methodically. Use: /critique-mode → Act as a surgical editor. Score clarity, evidence, structure, and tone (1–5). List weaknesses as bullet points with fixes. Rewrite the piece applying every fix. Append a 3-sentence change log. The self-critique pass is the single fastest way to upgrade logic and readability.
/schedule-pack — auto-plan the week from messy tasks Don’t just make a list—turn it into a plan that respects energy and constraints. Prompt: /schedule-pack → From these tasks, output: (1) priority matrix (impact × effort), (2) a 5-day schedule that batches similar work, protects two 90-min deep-work blocks daily, and parks admin in low-energy windows, (3) a risk list with mitigation. You’ll move from “what first?” to “when and how” in one pass.
/explain-like-I’m-5…then /teen…then /pro — tiered learning on tap Master any concept by stacking explanations from simple to expert without switching threads. Try: /explain-like-I’m-5 → [topic]. Follow with: /teen-version → Add real-world examples and one misconception. Finish with: /pro-version → Formal definition, edge cases, quick test to check mastery. The tiered ladder cements understanding and gives you instant teaching material.
Daily chaining that compounds the value A powerful routine is: /clarify-first → draft → /critique-mode → /rephrase+range → /schedule-pack. Start by nailing requirements, produce a draft, harden it with critique, harvest top lines for headlines or CTAs, then schedule the work to ship. The whole loop fits in one chat and turns ideas into commitments.
Precision tips so these commands never go generic Anchor every command to a concrete audience and use case (“busy managers in fintech,” “Gen-Z fitness creators”), add format constraints (“≤120 words,” “Markdown table,” “3 bullets max”), and specify must-include / must-avoid terms to keep brand voice tight. When accuracy matters, paste snippets as a mini-corpus and say: “Use ONLY the material in <docs>…</docs>.”
Micro-templates you can paste right now Inbox triage: /clarify-first → Before proposing replies, ask what counts as urgent today, tone preference, and hard deadlines. Then create a table: [Sender | Purpose | Urgency | Suggested reply (≤60 words) | Next action]. Meeting alchemy: /critique-mode → From this transcript, extract decisions, owners, due dates, risks; draft a 120-word follow-up email. Hook factory: /rephrase+range → 6 hooks for this post; keep the promise identical; escalate curiosity; 12-word cap.
Common pitfalls and quick fixes If outputs feel bland, your command is missing either a role (“act as a…”) or a reader (“for whom”). If tone drifts, feed one gold sample line and say “mirror this rhythm.” If results are long, add hard caps and ask for reason-why” bullets instead of prose. If facts wobble, ground the response with a sources block and require confidence notes.
Make them yours Rename and save these commands as text snippets in your notes tool so they’re always one paste away—cf. “/cf” for /clarify-first, “/cm” for /critique-mode. Over time, tune the constraints (length, tone ladder, schedule shape) to match your workstyle, and you’ll have a lightweight operating system for daily effectiveness.
Conclusion: Small Commands, Big Leverage
The gap between “pretty good” and “consistently excellent” with ChatGPT isn’t talent—it’s technique. By front-loading clarity, forcing a ruthless edit, generating controlled variety, scheduling with intention, and learning in tiers, you turn short commands into a durable workflow. Save these five, tweak them to your voice, and watch your everyday tasks get faster, cleaner, and easier to ship.
