How to Write Prompts for Google Gemini

Why put the task first for Gemini?

Gemini reads the opening of a prompt as the main goal. When the task comes first ("Create a 5-day vegetarian meal plan…"), the bullets that follow refine it instead of competing with it. Long preambles before the actual request tend to produce answers that wander.

How should I format constraints?

Use short "- " bullets, one requirement each: budget, audience, length, must-include items, things to avoid. Bullets are easy for Gemini to check one by one and easy for you to edit later.

How do I control Gemini's output format?

Finish with one explicit line such as "Output: a table with columns Day, Meal, Cost" or "Output: 5 bullet points, under 100 words". Naming the columns or sections removes most of the formatting surprises.

Step by step

1. 1State the task first. One sentence with the goal.
2. 2Add context and constraints as bullets. Budget, audience, length, must-haves, things to avoid.
3. 3End with the output format. Name the table columns, sections or length.

Real example: before and after

Produced by SuperPrompts from the one-line request below.

You are a nutrition planner tasked with creating a 5-day healthy vegetarian meal plan on a budget.
- Focus on balanced nutrition with adequate protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Ensure all meals and snacks are vegetarian and cost-effective using common affordable ingredients.
- Include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and optional snacks for each day.
- Provide simple, easy-to-prepare recipes or meal ideas with estimated portion sizes.
- Avoid expensive specialty items or rare ingredients to maintain budget constraints.  
Output the meal plan in a clear daily format with meals listed and brief descriptions or ingredients for each.

FAQ