ChatGPT Quick-Start Cheat Sheet
20 copy-paste prompts for ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini — organised by category. Works for emails, research, recipes, planning, learning, and more. Print and keep handy.
By ECTD Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02
The hardest part of using ChatGPT (or Claude or Gemini) is starting. You open the chat, see the blank box, and your mind goes blank. This cheat sheet solves that. Below are 20 tested prompts organised by category — copy any of them, replace the bracketed bits with your details, paste into the AI chat. Results in seconds.
How to use these prompts
<strong>Copy the prompt text.</strong> Open ChatGPT (<code>chatgpt.com</code>), Claude (<code>claude.ai</code>), or Gemini (<code>gemini.google.com</code>). Paste the prompt into the chat box. Replace the bits in <strong>[SQUARE BRACKETS]</strong> with your own details. Press Enter. Read the result.
If the first answer isn't quite right, just say so: "Make it shorter." "More formal." "Add a sentence about X." The AI revises happily. These prompts are starting points — feel free to customise.
Writing & communication
Polite complaint letter:
Write a polite but firm complaint letter to [COMPANY] about [SITUATION]. Outcome I want: [REFUND / REPLACEMENT / EXPLANATION]. Keep it under 200 words.
Difficult email I'm dreading:
I need to write an email to [PERSON] about [TOPIC]. The relationship is [PROFESSIONAL / PERSONAL]. I want the tone to be [FRIENDLY / FORMAL / APOLOGETIC]. Draft something I can edit, around 150 words.
Postcard / letter to grandchild:
Help me write a chatty letter to my [AGE] year old [GRANDCHILD / NIECE / NEPHEW] named [NAME]. They're interested in [INTERESTS]. Cover what I've been up to: [BRIEF UPDATE]. Tone: warm, easy to read, age-appropriate. About 200 words.
Reference / recommendation:
Write a reference letter for [NAME] who has worked for me as a [ROLE] for [DURATION]. Their strengths: [STRENGTHS]. They're applying for [NEW ROLE]. Professional tone, around 250 words.
Resignation letter:
Help me write a professional, brief resignation letter. I've worked at [COMPANY] as a [ROLE] for [TIME]. Reason: [GENERAL REASON]. Last day: [DATE]. Keep it positive, under 150 words.
Understanding things
Explain jargon in plain English:
Explain the following in plain English, like I'm 12 years old: [PASTE THE CONFUSING PARAGRAPH]
Summarise a long article:
Summarise the following article in 5 bullet points covering the key claims: [PASTE OR DESCRIBE ARTICLE]
Explain a topic from scratch:
I want to understand [TOPIC]. Explain it from scratch in plain English. Assume I know nothing about it. Cover: what it is, why it matters, the main things I should know. Around 400 words.
Prepare for a doctor's appointment:
I've been diagnosed with / am being investigated for [CONDITION]. What questions should I ask my GP at the next appointment? Include questions about treatment options, side effects, and what to expect. (For information only — not medical advice.)
Planning & ideas
Weekly meal plan + shopping list:
Plan 7 dinners for [NUMBER] people. Mostly [HEALTHY / BUDGET / VEGETARIAN]. Include [SPECIFIC MEALS YOU WANT, IF ANY]. At the end, give me a single combined shopping list grouped by section (produce, dairy, etc.).
Holiday itinerary:
[NUMBER] of us are spending [NUMBER] days in [DESTINATION] in [MONTH]. We like [INTERESTS], we don't like [DISLIKES]. We're based in [TOWN/SUBURB]. Suggest a day-by-day itinerary with breakfast, main activity, lunch suggestion, afternoon activity, dinner ideas.
Gift ideas brainstorm:
Give me 20 gift ideas for [PERSON DESCRIPTION] — interests: [INTERESTS]. Occasion: [BIRTHDAY / CHRISTMAS / OTHER]. Budget: $[AMOUNT]. Mix price points and types (experiences, items, consumables).
Birthday party / event planning:
Help me plan a [TYPE OF EVENT] for [WHO] on [DATE]. Guest count: [NUMBER]. Budget: $[AMOUNT]. Venue: [HOME / VENUE / OTHER]. Theme: [THEME OR "OPEN"]. Give me a timeline, food suggestions, activity ideas, and a checklist.
Help with computers and apps
How do I do X on Y?:
How do I [WHAT YOU WANT TO DO] in [APP / DEVICE]? I'm using [VERSION / iPhone / Windows / etc.]. Give me step-by-step instructions in plain English.
Fix an error message:
I'm getting this error when I try to [WHAT YOU'RE DOING]: [PASTE EXACT ERROR MESSAGE]. What does it mean and how do I fix it? I'm using [DEVICE / SOFTWARE].
Excel / Google Sheets formula:
I need a formula that [WHAT YOU WANT IT TO DO]. My data is in [DESCRIBE LAYOUT]. Walk me through the formula in plain English and tell me where to put it.
Translation & language
Translate to English:
Translate the following to English. Maintain the tone and meaning, not a literal word-by-word translation: [PASTE TEXT]
Polite English version:
Rewrite the following message to sound more polite and professional, without changing the meaning: [PASTE YOUR DRAFT]
Decisions & thinking
Pros and cons:
I'm trying to decide between [OPTION A] and [OPTION B]. Context: [BACKGROUND]. List the realistic pros and cons of each, including ones I might not have thought of.
Get a second opinion on a decision:
I'm about to [DECISION]. Here's my thinking: [YOUR REASONING]. What am I missing? What could go wrong? Be honest — push back on weak points in my reasoning.
Things to remember
AI can be wrong: AI sometimes invents facts confidently — names, dates, quotes. For anything where accuracy matters (medical, legal, financial, factual claims you'll repeat), verify with a trusted source before acting. Treat AI output as a useful first draft, not a final authority.
Privacy — never paste: Don't paste Tax File Numbers, bank account details, passwords, Medicare numbers, passport numbers, or detailed medical records into AI chats. If you need help with a document containing private info, redact it first (replace with [TFN], [ACCOUNT NUMBER], etc).
The skill is iteration: The first answer is rarely the best answer. Say "shorter", "less formal", "more specific", "add a section about X". The AI revises happily. Two or three follow-ups usually produces something genuinely useful.
One last tip
These 20 prompts are a starting library. Once you've used a few, you'll start adapting them to your own situations and inventing new ones. After a month of regular use, you'll have a personal toolkit of phrasings that work well for the things you actually need help with.
The best way to get good at AI is the same as anything else: use it on real tasks, often, and iterate. The prompts above just remove the "what do I even type?" blocker so you can get started today.
Print this cheat sheet as a PDF: Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose "Save as PDF". Keep it handy next to your computer or share with family who are getting started with AI.
General information only — not personal financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Consider your own situation and consult a licensed professional before acting.