🚧 Set Constraints — Define the Boundaries

What Is It?

Setting Constraints means telling AI what NOT to do, or putting limits on its response. Without constraints, AI tends to be verbose, generic, and unfocused.

Think of it like a garden fence. Without boundaries, a garden grows wild and messy. With the right constraints, you get a beautiful, focused space. Constraints don’t limit creativity — they channel it.

💡 Constraints are liberating. Paradoxically, the more constraints you give, the more focused and useful the output. “Write about cloud computing” is overwhelming. “Write 3 benefits of cloud computing for small businesses, in plain English, under 150 words” is specific and actionable.

When to Use It

• ✅ When AI responses are too long or verbose
• ✅ When you need output for a specific audience
• ✅ When you want to avoid certain content (jargon, code, opinions)
• ✅ When you need a specific word count or scope

Before & After

❌ Before (No Constraints)

Write about cloud computing

✅ After (With Constraints)

Write 3 key benefits of migrating to cloud computing for small businesses with under 50 employees. Maximum 150 words. Use plain English — no technical jargon. Don’t mention specific vendors. Focus on cost savings, flexibility, and security.

What’s better: The AI will deliver exactly what you need — concise, jargon-free, and focused on what matters to the audience. No wasted words.

Platform Tips

Microsoft 365 Copilot

• In Word, “Keep it under 300 words” and “Use simple language” are particularly effective
• In Outlook, “Reply in 3 sentences or fewer” keeps emails concise
• In PowerPoint, “Maximum 5 bullet points per slide, no more than 8 words each”

ChatGPT

• ChatGPT respects word limits fairly well but may go slightly over — use “strictly under X words”
• Negative constraints work well: “Do NOT include code examples” or “Avoid marketing language”

Claude

• Claude follows constraints precisely — it’s excellent at “exactly 3 paragraphs” or “no more than 5 items”
• Use explicit boundaries: “Only discuss X, Y, and Z. Nothing else.”

Gemini

• Be very explicit with constraints — “IMPORTANT: Keep under 100 words”
• Gemini sometimes ignores soft constraints, so use firm language

Real Examples from the Prompt Library

1. Email — Word count constraints for concise emails
2. Summarising — Scope constraints for focused summaries
3. Writing — Tone and audience constraints

Related Techniques

• 📐 Define the Format — Format + constraints = precise output
• 🗣️ Specify Audience & Tone — Audience is a type of constraint
• 📋 Add Context — Context tells AI the situation; constraints set the rules