Appendix A: Context Engineering Checklist
Use this checklist when writing prompts for AI coding tools.
Before You Prompt
- Am I starting a fresh chat for this task?
- Have I identified which files are relevant?
- Do I know what output I want?
The 10-Rule Checklist
//1. Task Context
- Did I tell the AI its role? ("You are a senior Python developer...")
- Did I specify the goal? ("...helping debug a Django API")
//2. Tone and Boundaries
- Did I specify how to behave? (concise, technical, ask if unsure)
- Did I set any constraints? (don't modify X, stay within Y)
//3. Background Knowledge
- Did I include tech stack info if relevant?
- Did I mention any patterns or conventions to follow?
//4. Task Steps
- Did I spell out the procedure if it's complex?
- Is it clear what order to do things in?
//5. Examples
- Would an example output help? Include one.
- Are there patterns the AI should imitate?
//6. Relevant History
- Did I include prior decisions if relevant?
- Did I EXCLUDE unrelated history?
//7. Current Request at End
- Is my actual question/request stated clearly at the END?
- After all context, is it obvious what I want?
//8. Step-by-Step Thinking
- For complex tasks, did I ask the AI to reason through it?
//9. Output Format
- Did I specify the format I need? (JSON, bullet points, etc.)
- Will I be able to use the output without reformatting?
//10. Prefill (Optional)
- Would starting the response for the AI help?
Quick Reference: Intent vs State
| Intent Context (What You Want) | State Context (What Exists) |
|---|---|
| "Explain why..." | The code in question |
| "Refactor to..." | Current implementation |
| "Fix the bug where..." | Error messages |
| "Create a function that..." | Related existing code |
| "Optimize for..." | Performance metrics |
You need BOTH for good results.
Common Context Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| No error message included | Always paste the full error |
| Whole codebase dumped | Include only relevant files |
| Intent unclear | State what you want explicitly |
| Old conversation dragged in | Start fresh chat |
| Assuming AI knows your stack | Include tech stack in rules |
Copy-Paste Prompt Structure
[ROLE] You are a [expertise level] [technology] developer.
[GOAL] Your goal is to [specific objective].
[CONTEXT] Here's the relevant code:
@file path/to/relevant/file.ts
[CONSTRAINTS]
- Follow existing patterns in the codebase
- Don't modify [specific files/functions]
- [Any other constraints]
[TASK]
[Your specific request here]
[OUTPUT FORMAT]
Please provide:
1. [First thing you want]
2. [Second thing you want]