The same model can behave very differently depending on the job.
This is why a single generic agent workflow usually underperforms:
- debugging fails when the agent locks onto the first explanation
- research fails when the agent repeats plausible but weak claims
- decision support fails when the agent has no criteria for what "best" means
The fix is not only a better prompt. It is a better task setup.
Use this when the agent needs to figure out what is wrong before it changes anything.
- a concrete bug report
- logs or traces
- at least one reproducible path
- known constraints or recent changes
- three plausible hypotheses
- evidence for and against each one
- the smallest check that would rule each hypothesis in or out
- a final recommendation only after the checks complete
Without this structure, the agent often turns the first plausible guess into a fix. That creates noisy diffs, weak reasoning, and longer loops.
See examples/debug-hypotheses.md.
Use this when the agent needs to determine what is true, current, or well-supported.
- the exact question
- source-quality expectations
- recency requirements
- any domains or sources to prioritize or avoid
- multiple sources
- a short comparison of where they agree
- a note on where they disagree or remain uncertain
- a clear separation between observed facts and inference
Without source comparison, the agent can produce confident summaries that flatten disagreements or repeat a single weak source.
See examples/research-source-compare.md.
Use this when the agent needs to compare options rather than retrieve facts.
- the decision to make
- the available options
- the criteria that matter
- any non-negotiable constraints
- a rubric
- tradeoffs by option
- a recommendation tied to the rubric
- the biggest risk of the recommended option
Without explicit criteria, the agent tends to optimize for whatever sounds impressive instead of what matches the actual business goal.
See examples/decision-rubric.md.
If you remember one thing, use this:
- debugging needs hypotheses
- research needs sources
- decisions need criteria
That is the setup change, not just the prompt change.