Prompt Chaining
Definition
Breaking a big task into a series of smaller prompts, where each one builds on the answer before it. Rather than asking an AI to do everything in a single instruction, you walk it through step by step: first summarise this, then draft from the summary, then refine the draft. The output of one step becomes the input to the next. It often produces far better results than trying to ask for everything at once.
Why It Matters
It's one of the simplest ways to get more out of an AI tool on a complicated job. No technical skill required, just a bit of patience and sequence.
What does that look like in practice?
First 'summarise this report,' then 'draft an email from that summary,' then 'make it warmer.' Each step feeds the next. That's prompt chaining.
What people actually mean when they say this
When someone says they 'walked the AI through it,' they usually mean prompt chaining: small steps in sequence instead of one giant request.
Last reviewed: June 2026
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See also
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