Improving your prompts automatically

Write better prompts with less effort. Storytell can help improve your prompts before they’re sent, just toggle the setting and choose the mode that works for you.

Written By Patrick Intervalo

Last updated About 23 hours ago

Overview

When prompt improvement is active, Storytell rewrites your original prompt to improve clarity and specificity before it's submitted. You can choose to review and edit the improved version, send it as-is, or let Storytell submit it for you automatically.

From a simple prompt to something more focused and high-impact:

This feature is helpful if you're:

  • Still learning how to write good prompts

  • Working quickly and want more consistent output

  • Refining long or detailed requests

Prompt Improvement Modes

You’ll find Prompt Improvement in the three-dot menu on the prompt bar. Click it, then select Improve Prompts to access the different modes. It has three modes:

On

Storytell rewrites your prompt and opens a modal so you can review it.
You can:

  • Edit: Moves the improved version into the chat bar so you can make changes

  • Submit this instead: Sends the improved version immediately

  • Dismiss: Cancels the improvement and keeps your original

You can choose from five improved prompt options. Use the left and right toggles to review each version and select the one you prefer before submitting.

Auto

Storytell automatically rewrites your prompt and replaces your original input in the chat bar.

  • While the prompt is improving, a loading message will appears in the prompt modal

  • Once the improved version is ready, it fills the chat bar automatically

  • You can also choose from five improved prompt options by toggling left or right in the modal. When you find the version you want, click Submit this instead to enter it into the chat.

  • You can choose to Undo and restore your original prompt before submitting

You can switch modes at any time in the chat interface.

If you don’t want your original prompt to be overwritten, choose On instead of Auto

How to undo an auto-improved prompt

On the chat bar, click the “Undo” button to return the original prompt you’ve written

Off

No improvements are applied. Your original prompt is sent as-is.

You can switch modes at any time in the chat interface.

How to Use It

  1. Enter your prompt
    Type your question or task in the prompt bar as usual.

  2. Toggle prompt improvement
    Use the switch at the bottom of the chat bar to choose a mode: On, Auto, or Off.

  3. Review the improved prompt

    • In On mode, a modal appears with the suggested improvement

    • In Auto mode, the chat bar shows a loading state until the improved version appears

  4. Edit or accept the suggestion

    • In On mode, click Edit to revise or Submit this instead to send it

    • In Auto mode, click Undo if you want to restore your original prompt

  5. Click Send
    Once you're happy with the prompt, click Send to run it.

The mode you select is saved in your browser preferences, so it will persist across sessions until you change it.

How Improve Prompts works

Context-aware improvements

Improve Prompts is context-aware. When you use @ mentions in your prompt to reference assets, concepts, labels, or views, the feature automatically:

  1. Extracts the mentioned entities from your prompt

  2. Samples relevant content from those entities

  3. Uses that content as reference data when generating improvements

  4. Creates improvements that are tailored to your specific knowledge base

This means if you mention a specific file or concept, the improved prompts will be more relevant to that content.

Improvement principles

The AI follows several key principles when improving your prompts:

Task structure optimization:

  • Transforms general inquiries into specific, actionable requests

  • Structures complex prompts to follow logical progression

  • Breaks down multi-part requests into clear, sequential steps

  • Adds specific parameters or constraints to focus responses

Precision and clarity improvement:

  • Replaces vague terms with specific, concrete language

  • Includes explicit parameters (scope, format, length, style)

  • Specifies expected output format and level of detail

  • Eliminates ambiguity while preserving your voice and intent

Contextual adaptation:

  • Adapts prompts to the appropriate domain context

  • Uses terminology and concepts that match your reference material

  • Frames questions in ways that align with your data's purpose

  • Incorporates relevant contextual elements without overspecifying

Reference data usage

When you have assets, concepts, or collections in scope (either through @ mentions or prompt boundary settings), Improve Prompts:

  1. Samples relevant chunks from your referenced content

  2. Includes these samples as context in the improvement process

  3. Generates improvements that are informed by your actual data

  4. Ensures improved prompts work well with your specific knowledge base

This makes the improvements much more useful than generic prompt templates, as they're tailored to your specific content and use cases.

Tips for Better Use

  • Start with On mode to see how Storytell rewrites your prompts. It’s a great way to learn better prompting techniques over time.

  • Use Edit when the improved version is close but not quite right, this saves time over rewriting from scratch.

  • Turn on Auto for repeat tasks like summarizing, rewriting, or extracting insights—especially when you're working quickly.

Why It Helps

  • Helps you get better results, especially for complex or vague tasks

  • Speeds up your workflow by improving prompts instantly

  • Builds confidence and consistency in how you use AI

Once you get familiar with how prompt improvement works, it becomes a powerful part of your workflow. You’ll spend less time rewording and more time getting to the insights, summaries, or ideas you need with more speed and confidence.