Anatomy of a Claude agent prompt: an 11-block template

1. Task Start with why, NOT what. Claude connects the dots. "I'm working on [goal] for [who it's for]. They need [what the output enables]. With that in mind: [task]." 2. Context Files Upload your expertise. Stop explaining in prompts. "Read these files completely before responding: [filename .md] - [what it contains]." The file is the brain. This part never changes. 3. Reference Show Claude what good looks like. "Reference for what I want to achieve: [paste]." One example beats ten instructions. 4. Effort "This is a [routine / hard / hardest-unsolved] problem. Scope it like it's at the top of your range." 5. Act "When you have enough information to act, act. Don't re-litigate my decisions. While weighing a choice, give a recommendation." 6. Scope "Do the simplest thing that works well. No extra features, refactors, or abstractions. If I'm describing a problem, the deliverable is your assessment." 7. Delegate "Split independent subtasks across subagents and keep working while they run. Verify with a fresh-context subagent." 8. Evidence "Before reporting progress, audit every claim against a tool result. If it's unverified, say so. Tests failed? Show the output." 9. Memory "Record learnings in [notes .md] - one per file. Update, no duplicate. Delete what turns out wrong." 10. Checkpoint "Pause only for: destructive actions, scope changes, or input only I can provide. Never end your turn on a promise." 11. Report "Open with the outcome - the TLDR I'd ask for. Complete sentences. Clear beats short."