Prompt Chaining Guide | Advanced AI Techniques | AskSmarter.ai | Resources

When Single Prompts Are Not Enough

You have mastered the basics of prompting. You know how to provide context, set clear objectives, and specify output formats. But some tasks still defeat your best prompts.

Writing a comprehensive market analysis. Creating a full technical specification. Building a multi-part content strategy. These tasks have too many moving parts for a single prompt to handle well.

The solution is not longer prompts. It is prompt chaining: breaking complex tasks into a sequence of simpler prompts where each output feeds into the next. This is how professionals use AI for serious work.

Insight

Single prompts hit a practical limit around 500-800 words of output. Beyond that, quality degrades as the model loses track of earlier context. Chaining solves this by keeping each step focused.

Before

Write a complete product requirements document for a task management mobile app. Include market research, user personas, feature list with priorities, technical requirements, success metrics, and a development timeline with milestones.

After

I'm starting a project to create a PRD for a task management mobile app. Let's do this step by step.

STEP 1 - First, I need market research. Analyze the current task management app market: key players, market size, trends, and gaps. Format as bullet points.

[Get output, then...]

STEP 2 - Based on this market research, help me create 3 user personas for our target audience...

What is Prompt Chaining?

Prompt chaining is a technique where you run multiple AI prompts in sequence, with each prompt building on the outputs of previous ones. Instead of asking AI to do everything at once, you break the task into steps and guide the AI through each one.

Research

Outline

Draft

Critique

Final

Each step produces output that feeds into the next prompt

The key insight is that AI models are excellent at focused tasks but struggle with multi-faceted work. By decomposing complex tasks, you play to AI strengths while maintaining control over quality.

Focused attention: Each prompt has one clear objective, so AI can optimize for that specific goal
Quality checkpoints: You can review and adjust after each step before proceeding
Context management: Instead of one massive context, each step gets relevant context from previous outputs
Error isolation: If one step fails, you can retry just that step without losing other work
Iterative refinement: You can loop back to improve specific sections without regenerating everything

The CHAIN Framework

Use the CHAIN framework to design effective prompt sequences. Each letter represents a principle for building robust chains.

Chunk the Task

Break complex tasks into discrete, manageable steps. Each step should have a clear input and output that AI can handle in a single interaction.

Handoff Outputs

Design how outputs from one step become inputs for the next. Define the exact format and structure to ensure smooth transitions between prompts.

Aggregate Results

Combine outputs from multiple steps into a cohesive final result. Plan how intermediate outputs will be synthesized.

Iterate & Refine

Build in refinement loops where outputs can be evaluated and improved. Use critique prompts to identify gaps before moving forward.

Normalize Format

Ensure consistent formatting across the chain. Define schemas or templates that maintain structure throughout the workflow.

C - Chunk the Task

The first step is decomposition. Ask yourself: what are the distinct phases or components of this task? Each chunk should be something AI can complete well in a single interaction.

Good chunks are:

Self-contained: Complete on their own without needing forward information
Appropriately sized: Not too small (inefficient) or too large (lose focus)
Logically ordered: Each chunk depends only on previous chunks
Verifiable: You can tell if the output is correct before proceeding

Chunking Example: Competitor Analysis

Task: Create a comprehensive competitor analysis report

CHUNK 1: Identify competitors
"List the top 5 direct competitors and 3 indirect competitors for [product]. For each, provide: company name, primary product, target market, estimated market share."

CHUNK 2: Analyze each competitor
"For [Competitor Name], analyze: pricing model, key features, unique value proposition, known weaknesses, recent major changes (past 12 months)."

CHUNK 3: Create comparison matrix
"Using the competitor data I'll provide, create a feature comparison matrix with rows for: [features] and columns for each competitor plus our product."

CHUNK 4: Identify opportunities
"Based on this competitive analysis, identify: 3 market gaps we could fill, 2 features where we could differentiate, 1 positioning opportunity."

CHUNK 5: Write executive summary
"Synthesize all findings into a 300-word executive summary suitable for leadership team."

Pro Tip

When in doubt, chunk smaller. You can always combine outputs, but splitting a poorly-executed large chunk is harder to recover from.

H - Handoff Outputs

The handoff between prompts is critical. You need to explicitly tell the next prompt what to use from the previous step. Never assume AI will figure out what parts of previous outputs matter.

Effective handoff techniques:

Handoff Example: Explicit Context Transfer

PREVIOUS OUTPUT TO USE:
---
[Paste the specific output from the previous step here]
---

YOUR TASK:
Using the research findings above, create an outline for a blog post that addresses the three main pain points identified.

FOCUS ON:
- Pain point #1: [specific pain point from research]
- Pain point #2: [specific pain point from research]
- Pain point #3: [specific pain point from research]

IGNORE:
- The competitive analysis section (we'll use that later)
- Any demographic data (not relevant for this post)

Quote directly: Copy-paste relevant outputs rather than summarizing
Be explicit about what to use: Name specific sections, data points, or conclusions
State what to ignore: If including full output, clarify which parts are not relevant
Use clear delimiters: Separate previous output from new instructions with visual markers
Transform if needed: Sometimes you need an intermediate prompt to reformat output for the next step

A - Aggregate Results

After running multiple prompts, you often need to combine outputs into a cohesive final deliverable. This aggregation step is itself a prompt that synthesizes everything.

Aggregation Prompt Example

I have completed research on three topics. I need you to synthesize these into a single cohesive report.

SECTION 1 - MARKET ANALYSIS:
---
[Paste market analysis output]
---

SECTION 2 - COMPETITOR REVIEW:
---
[Paste competitor review output]
---

SECTION 3 - CUSTOMER INSIGHTS:
---
[Paste customer insights output]
---

SYNTHESIS INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Identify the 3 most important findings that appear across multiple sections
2. Note any contradictions between sections and explain how to resolve them
3. Create a unified narrative that connects market trends -> competitive landscape -> customer needs
4. Write a final recommendation section that draws from all three analyses

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Executive Summary (200 words)
- Key Cross-Cutting Findings (3-5 bullet points)
- Detailed Synthesis (organized by theme, not by source section)
- Recommendations (prioritized list)

I - Iterate and Refine

The most powerful chains include feedback loops. After generating a draft, you can use a critique prompt to identify weaknesses, then a revision prompt to fix them. This creates a quality improvement cycle.

Step 1: Critique Prompt

CRITIQUE PROMPT:

Review this draft critically. Identify:

1. GAPS: What important information is missing?
2. WEAK POINTS: Which arguments are weakest or need more support?
3. CLARITY: Which sections are confusing or could be clearer?
4. FLOW: Where does the structure break down?
5. ACCURACY: Any factual claims that seem questionable?

Be specific. For each issue, cite the exact sentence or paragraph.

DRAFT TO REVIEW:
---
[Paste draft here]
---

Step 2: Revision Prompt

REVISION PROMPT:

Revise the draft below to address these specific issues:

ISSUES TO FIX:
---
[Paste critique output here]
---

ORIGINAL DRAFT:
---
[Paste original draft here]
---

INSTRUCTIONS:
- Address each identified issue directly
- Maintain the original structure unless the critique specifically calls for restructuring
- Mark significant changes with [REVISED] so I can review them
- If you disagree with any critique point, explain why instead of changing it

Insight

You can run multiple critique-revise cycles. Two iterations usually catch 90% of issues. More than three cycles often produces diminishing returns.

N - Normalize Format

Consistency across your chain prevents confusion and makes aggregation easier. Define output formats upfront and enforce them at each step.

Format Normalization Template

OUTPUT FORMAT SPECIFICATION:

All research outputs in this chain must follow this structure:

## [Topic Name]

### Key Findings
- Finding 1: [One sentence summary]
- Finding 2: [One sentence summary]
- Finding 3: [One sentence summary]

### Supporting Data
| Metric | Value | Source |
|--------|-------|--------|
| [metric] | [value] | [source] |

### Implications
1. [Implication for our strategy]
2. [Implication for our strategy]

### Confidence Level
[High/Medium/Low] - [One sentence explanation]

---

Use this exact structure. Do not add additional sections. Do not change header names.

Use consistent headers: Same heading levels and names across all outputs
Specify data formats: Dates, numbers, currencies should use same format
Define list styles: Bullets vs numbers, nesting rules
Set length expectations: Word counts or paragraph limits per section
Create transformation prompts: If outputs vary, add a normalization step before aggregation

Common Chaining Patterns

Most complex tasks fit one of these proven patterns. Start with a pattern and customize for your specific needs.

Research-Then-Write

Gather information before creating content

1. Research the topic2. Organize findings3. Write draft4. Polish output

Best for: Blog posts, reports, documentation

Draft-Critique-Revise

Generate, evaluate, and improve iteratively

1. Create initial draft2. Critique draft3. Revise based on feedback4. Final polish

Best for: High-quality writing, proposals, presentations

Generate-Validate-Improve

Create, check for errors, then enhance

1. Generate output2. Validate accuracy3. Fix issues4. Enhance quality

Best for: Code generation, data processing, translations

Decompose-Solve-Synthesize

Break apart, solve pieces, combine

1. Break into sub-problems2. Solve each piece3. Combine solutions4. Verify coherence

Best for: Complex analysis, problem-solving, planning

Prompt Templates

Use these ready-to-adapt templates for common chaining scenarios. Each template shows the full sequence of prompts.

Step 1: Define Scope

PROMPT 1: Research Scope Definition

I need to research [TOPIC] for [PURPOSE].

Help me define the research scope:
1. What are the 5 most important questions to answer?
2. What types of sources would be most valuable?
3. What time frame should the research cover?
4. What are the key terms I should search for?

Output as a research brief I can reference.

Step 2: Gather (repeat per question)

PROMPT 2: Gather Information

Using this research brief:
---
[Paste research brief from Step 1]
---

For research question #[N]: "[specific question]"

Provide a comprehensive answer including:
- Direct answer to the question
- Supporting evidence or data
- Alternative viewpoints if relevant
- Gaps in available information

[Run this prompt for each major research question]

Step 3: Synthesize

PROMPT 3: Synthesize Findings

I have gathered research on these questions:

Q1: [question] - FINDINGS: [summary of step 2 output]
Q2: [question] - FINDINGS: [summary of step 2 output]
Q3: [question] - FINDINGS: [summary of step 2 output]

Synthesize into a research summary that:
1. Identifies overarching themes
2. Notes contradictions and how to resolve them
3. Highlights the most actionable insights
4. Flags areas needing more research

Format as an executive brief (500 words max).

Step 1: Audience Analysis

PROMPT 1: Audience & Angle Analysis

I'm creating [CONTENT TYPE] about [TOPIC] for [PUBLICATION/PLATFORM].

Analyze:
1. Who is the target audience? (demographics, expertise level, pain points)
2. What angle would be most compelling for this audience?
3. What do they already know vs. need to learn?
4. What's the key takeaway they should remember?

Provide a 1-paragraph content brief I can use for drafting.

Step 2: Create Outline

PROMPT 2: Structure & Outline

Based on this content brief:
---
[Paste content brief from Step 1]
---

Create a detailed outline for a [CONTENT TYPE] that:
- Opens with a hook that addresses the main pain point
- Follows a logical progression
- Includes specific examples or data points to include
- Ends with actionable takeaways

Format as a numbered outline with bullet points for key details under each section.

Step 3: Write Draft

PROMPT 3: Draft Content

Following this outline exactly:
---
[Paste outline from Step 2]
---

Write a full draft. Guidelines:
- Match the tone to [BRAND VOICE DESCRIPTION]
- Target length: [WORD COUNT]
- Include transitions between sections
- Mark places where I should add [specific example/data/quote] with [ADD: description]

Step 4: Edit & Polish

PROMPT 4: Edit & Polish

Review this draft:
---
[Paste draft from Step 3]
---

Perform these edits:
1. Tighten language - remove filler words and redundancy
2. Strengthen the opening - make first 2 sentences more compelling
3. Check flow - ensure smooth transitions
4. Verify consistency - tone, terminology, formatting
5. Polish ending - make call-to-action clear and compelling

Return the edited version with changes tracked via [EDIT: original -> new].

Step 1: Static Analysis

PROMPT 1: Static Analysis

Review this code for:
1. Syntax errors or bugs
2. Security vulnerabilities
3. Performance issues
4. Code style violations (assuming [STYLE GUIDE])

CODE:
```[language]
[paste code]
```

List issues in order of severity (Critical > High > Medium > Low).
Include line numbers and specific fix suggestions.

Step 2: Logic Review

PROMPT 2: Logic Review

Analyze the logic of this code:
```[language]
[paste code]
```

Check:
1. Does the code accomplish its stated purpose?
2. Are there edge cases not handled?
3. Is the algorithm appropriate for the use case?
4. Are there logical errors or incorrect assumptions?

Explain any issues found with examples of inputs that would cause problems.

Step 3: Refactoring

PROMPT 3: Refactoring Suggestions

Given this code and the issues identified:

CODE:
```[language]
[paste code]
```

ISSUES FOUND:
---
[Paste issues from Steps 1 and 2]
---

Suggest refactoring that:
1. Addresses all critical and high-severity issues
2. Improves readability and maintainability
3. Follows [LANGUAGE] best practices

Provide the refactored code with comments explaining major changes.

Step 1: Analyze Data

PROMPT 1: Data Analysis

Analyze this data:
---
[Paste data or describe data set]
---

Perform:
1. Summary statistics (mean, median, range, outliers)
2. Trend identification (is it increasing, decreasing, cyclical?)
3. Pattern recognition (any notable clusters or segments?)
4. Anomaly detection (what doesn't fit the pattern?)

Output as structured findings with confidence levels.

Step 2: Extract Insights

PROMPT 2: Insight Extraction

From these analysis findings:
---
[Paste analysis from Step 1]
---

Extract actionable insights:
1. What does this data tell us about [BUSINESS QUESTION]?
2. What decisions should this inform?
3. What predictions can we make?
4. What should we investigate further?

Rank insights by potential business impact.

Step 3: Structure Presentation

PROMPT 3: Presentation Structure

I need to present these insights to [AUDIENCE]:
---
[Paste insights from Step 2]
---

Create a presentation structure:
1. Opening: Hook + agenda (1 slide)
2. Context: Why this matters (1-2 slides)
3. Key Findings: Main insights with visuals (3-5 slides)
4. Implications: What this means for us (1-2 slides)
5. Recommendations: Next steps (1 slide)
6. Appendix: Supporting data

For each slide, specify:
- Headline (key message)
- Visual type (chart, diagram, text)
- Talking points (2-3 bullets)

Step 4: Executive Summary

PROMPT 4: Executive Summary

Based on this full analysis and presentation:
---
[Paste key points from Steps 1-3]
---

Write an executive summary (250 words max) that:
- Leads with the single most important finding
- Includes 2-3 supporting data points
- States the recommended action clearly
- Quantifies the opportunity or risk

This will go in an email to leadership, so be direct and business-focused.

Error Handling Between Steps

Chains can break. Outputs might be incomplete, off-topic, or formatted incorrectly. Build in checkpoints and recovery strategies.

Validation Checkpoints

After each step, verify the output before proceeding. Ask yourself: Does this contain what the next step needs? Is the format correct? Is the quality acceptable?

Output Validation Prompt

VALIDATION PROMPT:

Check this output for completeness:

OUTPUT TO VALIDATE:
---
[Paste output from previous step]
---

REQUIRED ELEMENTS:
1. [Element 1 that must be present]
2. [Element 2 that must be present]
3. [Element 3 that must be present]

For each element:
- Is it present? [YES/NO]
- Is it complete? [YES/PARTIAL/NO]
- Quality rating: [HIGH/MEDIUM/LOW]

If any element is missing or incomplete, specify exactly what's needed.

Problem: Output is too generic

Fix: Add a prompt step that requests specific examples, data points, or concrete details. Ask “Make this more specific by adding...”

Problem: Format does not match spec

Fix: Add a format transformation prompt: “Convert this output to match exactly this structure: [structure]”

Problem: Hallucinated information

Fix: Add a fact-checking step: “Review these claims and mark any that cannot be verified with [UNVERIFIED]”

Problem: Lost context between steps

Fix: Include a context summary in each prompt: “We are doing [overall goal]. So far we have completed [previous steps]. Now we need to...”

Problem: Quality degradation over time

Fix: Start a fresh conversation for later steps if using same chat thread. Alternatively, add quality check prompts every 2-3 steps.

When NOT to Use Chaining

Chaining adds complexity. Sometimes a single well-crafted prompt is better. Do not chain when:

The task is genuinely simple: If a single prompt consistently produces good results, do not add steps
Speed matters more than quality: Chaining takes 3-5x longer than single prompts
The task is highly creative: Over-structuring can kill creative outputs; sometimes stream-of-consciousness is better
You cannot verify intermediate outputs: If you cannot tell if a step succeeded, you cannot build on it
The steps are too interdependent: If every step needs info from every other step, chaining adds complexity without benefit

Warning

A common mistake is chaining everything. Start with a single prompt. Only add steps when you hit consistent quality issues that decomposition would solve.

Tools and Automation

For recurring chains, automation saves time and ensures consistency. Here are options from simple to advanced.

Approach	Complexity	Best For
Manual copy-paste	Low	Occasional use, chains under 4 steps
Saved prompt templates	Low	Recurring chains with consistent structure
Custom GPTs / Claude Projects	Medium	Domain-specific chains with persistent context
No-code tools (Zapier, Make)	Medium	Chains triggered by external events
API scripting (Python, etc.)	High	High-volume, complex conditional logic
AI orchestration frameworks	High	Production systems, parallel chains, complex routing

Pro Tip

Start with manual execution until you have refined your chain. Automating a broken chain just produces broken outputs faster.

Next Steps

You now understand prompt chaining: when to use it, how to structure chains, and how to handle errors. The next step is practice.

Start with one of these exercises:

Take a task you currently do with one long prompt. Decompose it into 3-4 steps and run it as a chain. Compare results.
Add a critique-revise loop to your next content creation task. See how much the quality improves.
Create a template chain for something you do repeatedly. Save the prompts for reuse.

Build chains faster with AskSmarter

AskSmarter.ai helps you design and run prompt chains without the manual copy-paste. Our prompt builder guides you through creating effective prompts for each step, and you can chain them together seamlessly.

Start building prompt chains

Related Resource

The COSTAR Method

Master the framework for structuring individual prompts within your chains