GPT 4.1 Prompting Guide

Introduction

• Overview of the key differences between GPT 4.1 and previous models.
• Importance of adjusting prompting techniques due to these differences.
• Highlights key takeaways and recommendations for using GPT 4.1.

Key Features of GPT 4.1

• Improved Instruction Following: Better at following detailed and specific instructions.
• Agentic Workflows: Closer to functioning as an AI agent with a "brain" and tool-calling capabilities.
• 1 Million Token Context Window: Ability to process large amounts of text (equivalent to 1500 pages).
• Needle in a Haystack: Efficient at finding specific tokens within a large body of text.

Prompting Techniques

• Persistence, Tool Calling, and Planning: These three techniques can improve the model's performance by 20%.
  • Persistence: Ensures the model completes all steps before yielding control.
  • Tool Calling: Encourages the use of tools to avoid hallucination or guessing.
  • Planning: Encourages reflection before and after each function call.

Building Effective Prompts

• Structure of Prompts:
  • Role and Objective: Define the AI's role and what it should achieve.
  • Instructions: Provide high-level guidance and specific actions.
  • Reasoning Steps: Include steps to encourage planning and reflection.
  • Example and Final Instructions: Use examples and repeat key instructions at the end.
• Optimal Context Size: Utilize the full 1 million token context effectively.

Tool Integration

• Tool Naming and Description: Name tools clearly and describe them in detail.
• System Prompt: Reference tool names and descriptions within the system instructions for accuracy.

Delimiters and Formatting

• Markdown and XML Tags: Use these to structure inputs and denote importance.
• Avoid JSON for Long Contexts: XML performs better in distinguishing sections within long prompts.

Recommended Workflow

• Start Simple: Begin with basic bullet points and gradually build complexity.
• Iterative Testing: Test and refine prompts section by section.
• Use of Delimiters: Structure prompts with markdown headers and XML tags for clarity.

Conclusion

• Emphasize the importance of adapting to the changes in GPT 4.1 to unlock its full potential.
• Encouragement to experiment and refine prompting techniques for better outcomes.

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