# Prompt

> The text, media, files, or structured messages sent to a model to guide its response.

- Category: Context & Memory
- Stage: Established
- Also called: User prompt, Model input
- Canonical: https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/prompt

## Plain English

It is what you ask or show the AI before it answers.

## Example

A prompt can include a question, a screenshot, a PDF excerpt, and instructions about the desired format.

## Why it matters

Good prompts make simple AI workflows clearer, but production systems also need context, tools, and evals.

## Related

- [Prompt Engineering](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/prompt-engineering)
- [Developer Message](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/developer-message)
- [Context Window](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/context-window)

## Mentioned in

- [Fable 5, Export Controls, and GLM 5.2](https://www.joelcsaji.com/blog/fable-5-export-controls-and-glm-5-2)
- [The AI-Powered Developer: Building Modern Web Apps in 2026](https://www.joelcsaji.com/blog/ai-powered-developer-2026)
- [The Rise of AI Agents: How Autonomous AI Transformed Work in 2025-2026](https://www.joelcsaji.com/blog/rise-of-ai-agents-2025-2026)
- [The Evolution of Agentic AI: From Origins to Future Horizons](https://www.joelcsaji.com/blog/evolution-of-agentic-ai)
- [Net Out of a Book: Tiny Habits](https://www.joelcsaji.com/blog/net-out-of-a-book-tiny-habits)

## Sources

- [Google Cloud Generative AI Glossary](https://docs.cloud.google.com/docs/generative-ai/glossary)
- [OpenAI: Text Generation](https://platform.openai.com/docs/guides/text-generation)