Your first 10 messages with an agent
Toolkit 🧰
Type: Template 📂 · Theme: Modes 🎚️, Third Space 🌉
Purpose
A simple conversation script to use with any new agent so you don’t just type “write this email” and hope for the best.
You can use it verbatim, or adapt the tone.
How to use this template
Pick a real project (e.g. “launch newsletter”, “plan a workshop”, “write a case study”).
Start a fresh chat with your chosen model.
Use these 10 messages (or close variants) in order
The script – 10 messages
1) Introduce the collaboration
“Hi – I’d like you to act as my collaborator on a project, not just a one-off tool. I’ll share context, goals, and constraints, and I’d like you to help me think, structure, and draft. Is that clear?”
2) Context dump
“Here’s the context of the project: [who it’s for, what it’s about, why it matters, rough timeline].
For now, just acknowledge you’ve read this and ask me 3 clarifying questions.”
3) Clarifying Q&A
Answer the agent’s questions briefly but concretely.
*“Great questions. Here are quick answers:
…
…
… Anything else you need to know before we define success?”*
4) Define success
“Let’s define what ‘good’ looks like. For this project, success would be: [3–5 bullet points].
Please reflect that back to me in your own words, and say if you think anything is missing.”
5) Constraints
“Here are the constraints:
– Time: I have [X hours/days].
– Scope: we’re aiming for [e.g. one-page outline / short article / workshop plan].
– Tone & audience: [who is reading / watching and the tone we want].
Can you confirm you’ll keep these in mind?”
6) Decide first small step
“Given all that, what’s the most useful first step we can take together?
Suggest 2–3 options and tell me which you’d recommend and why.”
You then choose one of the options.
7) Co-create the first artefact
“Let’s do [chosen option].
Draft a first version, but keep it rough – I expect to give feedback and iterate.”
8) Feedback & iteration
After you see the draft:
“Here’s what works: [specific bits].
Here’s what doesn’t yet: [specific bits].
Please rewrite with these changes in mind, and explain briefly what you changed.”
9) Ask for checks / alternatives
“Offer one alternative version that takes a different angle or structure, and tell me when you’d use each version.”
10) Plan the next session
“Before we close, summarise:
– What we’ve done so far
– What’s left to do
– What you suggest we tackle next time.
I’ll be coming back to this thread, so keep this as our project workspace.”
Optional: Pin or bookmark this chat as your “Project Space” and keep using it rather than starting new threads for the same work.