5 min read
Prompt Cheat Sheet
Copy-paste prompts for the most common situations. Replace the [bracketed text] with your specifics.
Starting Projects
New macOS app
I want to build a macOS menu bar app that [describe what it does].
It should [key behavior 1] and [key behavior 2].New iOS app
I want to build an iOS app that [describe what it does].
The main screen should show [describe main view].New web app
I want to build a web app that [describe what it does].
It should have [describe pages/sections].
Use [React/Svelte/vanilla JS] with a clean, modern design.New web tool
I want to build a simple web tool that [describe functionality].
Single page is fine. No login needed.New Windows desktop app
I want to build a Windows desktop app that [describe what it does].
Use Electron (or Tauri for a lightweight alternative).
It should [key behavior 1] and [key behavior 2].Adding Features
Add a button
Add a button that [describe action].
Put it [location].Add a form
Add a form that lets users [describe purpose].
Include fields for [field 1], [field 2], and [field 3].
Show a confirmation when submitted.Add a list
Add a list that shows [describe items].
Each item should display [item details].Add navigation
Add navigation between [page 1] and [page 2].
Use [tabs/sidebar/bottom bar] style.Add data persistence
Save [data] so it persists between sessions.
Use [localStorage/UserDefaults/CoreData] to store it.Add an API call
Fetch [data type] from [API or URL].
Display the results as [describe format].
Handle loading and error states.Styling
Adjust spacing
The spacing between [elements] feels [too tight/too loose].
Add [more/less] padding.Change colors
Change the [element] color to [color or hex].
Make sure it works in [light and dark mode/just light mode].Change typography
Make the [element] text [larger/smaller/bolder].
Use [font name] if available.Match a reference
Style this to look more like [reference product/website].
Focus on [specific aspect: spacing, colors, typography].Improve visual hierarchy
The hierarchy isn't clear. Make [primary element] more prominent
and [secondary element] more subtle.Add animation
Add a [fade/slide/bounce] animation when [trigger].
It should feel [snappy/smooth/subtle].Fixing Bugs
Something doesn’t work
When I [action], [expected behavior] should happen,
but instead [actual behavior] happens.Show an error
I'm getting this error: [paste error message]
It happens when I [describe what you were doing].Fix visual issue
[Element] looks wrong. It should [expected appearance]
but it's showing [actual appearance].Something is slow
[Feature] is slow. It takes [time] when I [action].
Can you make it faster?Understanding Code
Explain a file
What does this file do? Explain it simply.Explain how something works
How does [feature] work? Walk me through the flow.Find where something is
Where is the code that handles [feature/behavior]?Explain an error
What does this error mean? [paste error]
How do I fix it?Refactoring
Simplify code
This seems complicated. Can you simplify it while keeping
the same behavior?Clean up
Clean up this file. Remove unused code and improve organization.Extract component
Extract the [element] into its own reusable component.Rename things
Rename [current name] to [new name] everywhere it's used.Deploying
Deploy to Vercel (web)
Help me deploy this to Vercel. Walk me through the steps.Build for distribution (macOS)
Build this app for distribution. I want to share it
with others outside of Xcode.Build for TestFlight (iOS)
Help me get this app on TestFlight so I can test on my phone.Package for Windows
Help me package this app for distribution on Windows.
I want to create an installer or portable .exe.When Stuck
Start over on a feature
Let's start over on [feature]. The current approach isn't working.
Here's what I actually want: [describe it].Undo recent changes
The last few changes broke things. Can you undo back to
when [feature] was working?Try a different approach
This approach isn't working. What's another way to
accomplish [goal]?Ask for options
I want to [goal]. What are my options? Explain the
tradeoffs of each.Pro Tips
Be specific about location
Bad: “Add a button”
Good: “Add a button in the top right corner of the header”
Reference what you know
“Make it feel like Apple’s spring animations” “Layout like Notion’s sidebar” “Transitions like Linear”
One thing at a time
Instead of asking for 5 features at once, add them one by one. Review each before moving to the next.
Describe what’s wrong, not how to fix it
Bad: “Change the padding from 8 to 16”
Good: “The spacing feels too tight between items”
Let Claude figure out the fix. You focus on the problem.