Prompt with context

What this pattern means

Supply bounded source material when the task should transform or analyze what you provide. Choose it because it is the least complex approach that satisfies the task—not because it uses the most capable model.

When it fits

• The necessary context is known and can be supplied safely.
• The output should stay anchored to a small, complete set of materials.
• The user can compare the result with the supplied context.

When it does not fit

• The required facts are changing or spread across a large corpus.
• The supplied material cannot be placed in the approved environment.

Required controls

• Minimize supplied data.
• Require the output to distinguish source facts from inference.

Autonomy limit

The maximum v1 autonomy is Recommend to a person. A task-specific rule may impose a stricter cap.

Minimum evaluation

Check fidelity, omissions, unsupported additions, and handling of conflicting source passages.

Example

Summarize meeting notes supplied by the user.

Reassess prompt with context whenever the purpose, evidence, data class, decision owner, or external-action boundary changes.