The Ultimate Guide to Coding Prompts for Developers

AI has transformed how developers write code. But the quality of AI assistance depends entirely on how you prompt it. This guide covers everything you need to know about writing effective coding prompts—from basic patterns to advanced techniques used by senior engineers.

Why Coding Prompts Matter

The difference between a junior developer using AI and a senior developer using AI isn't just experience—it's how they communicate with the AI.

Weak prompt:

Fix this bug

Strong prompt:

You are a senior Python developer. This function should return a sorted list of unique user IDs, but it's returning duplicates. Debug the issue and explain what's wrong.

Python version: 3.11
Framework: FastAPI
Error behavior: No error thrown, but output contains duplicates

[code block]

The strong prompt provides:

• Context (language, framework, version)
• Expected behavior
• Actual behavior
• The role the AI should assume

Let's dive into the prompt patterns that will transform your development workflow.

Essential Coding Prompt Patterns

Pattern 1: The Debugging Prompt

Template:

You are a senior [language] developer specializing in [framework/area].

I'm encountering a [bug type] in my code.

Expected behavior: [what should happen]
Actual behavior: [what's happening]
Error message (if any): [error]

Environment:
- [Language] version: [version]
- Framework: [framework and version]
- OS: [operating system]

Here's the relevant code:
[code block]

Please:
1. Identify the root cause
2. Explain why this is happening
3. Provide a fixed version of the code
4. Suggest how to prevent similar issues

Example in use:

You are a senior JavaScript developer specializing in React.

I'm encountering an infinite re-render loop in my component.

Expected behavior: Component renders once and updates only when props change
Actual behavior: Component re-renders continuously, freezing the browser

Environment:
- React version: 18.2
- Next.js: 14.0
- Browser: Chrome 120

[code block]

Please identify the root cause, explain why this is happening, provide a fixed version, and suggest how to prevent similar issues.

Browse more debugging prompts in our library.

Pattern 2: The Code Review Prompt

Template:

You are a senior [language] developer conducting a code review.

Review this [type of code] for:
- Bugs and potential issues
- Performance concerns
- Security vulnerabilities
- Code style and best practices
- Readability and maintainability

Provide feedback in this format:
🔴 Critical: [issues that must be fixed]
🟡 Suggestions: [improvements to consider]
🟢 Good practices: [what's done well]

[code block]

Pro tip: Specify your team's coding standards or link to a style guide for more relevant reviews. For a complete walkthrough, see our AI code review workflow guide.

Pattern 3: The Refactoring Prompt

Template:

Refactor this [language] code to improve [specific aspect].

Current issues:
- [Issue 1]
- [Issue 2]

Requirements:
- Maintain the same functionality
- [Any constraints]

Please provide:
1. The refactored code
2. Explanation of changes made
3. Before/after comparison of [metric] if applicable

[code block]

Common refactoring focuses:

• Readability
• Performance
• Testability
• Reducing complexity
• Following SOLID principles

Pattern 4: The Documentation Prompt

Template:

Generate documentation for this [language] code:

Documentation requirements:
- [JSDoc/docstrings/etc.] format
- Include parameter descriptions
- Include return value descriptions  
- Include usage examples
- Note any edge cases or important behaviors

Target audience: [junior developers / API consumers / etc.]

[code block]

Pattern 5: The Test Writing Prompt

Template:

You are a senior QA engineer specializing in [language] testing.

Write comprehensive unit tests for this function/class:

Testing framework: [Jest/pytest/etc.]
Coverage requirements: 
- Happy path cases
- Edge cases
- Error handling
- Boundary conditions

Include:
- Test file structure
- Mock setup if needed
- Clear test names that describe behavior

[code block]

Advanced Coding Prompt Techniques

Technique 1: Iterative Development Prompts

Instead of asking for complete solutions, break complex tasks into steps:

Step 1:

I'm building a rate limiter for my API. First, explain the sliding window algorithm I should use, including the data structures needed.

Step 2:

Now implement the sliding window rate limiter in Python. Use Redis for storage. Include type hints.

Step 3:

Add comprehensive error handling to this rate limiter. Consider: Redis connection failures, invalid inputs, and edge cases.

Step 4:

Write integration tests for this rate limiter using pytest and fakeredis.

Technique 2: Architecture Discussion Prompts

I'm designing a [system type]. Let's discuss the architecture.

Requirements:
- [Requirement 1]
- [Requirement 2]
- [Scalability needs]

Constraints:
- [Budget/tech stack/team constraints]

Please recommend:
1. High-level architecture
2. Key components and their responsibilities
3. Technology choices with rationale
4. Potential pitfalls to avoid
5. A rough implementation roadmap

Technique 3: Learning-Focused Prompts

I want to understand [concept] better by implementing it from scratch.

My current understanding: [what you know]
Goal: Implement a basic [concept] in [language]

Please:
1. Explain the core concepts I need to understand
2. Walk me through the implementation step by step
3. Explain each decision and why it matters
4. Point out common mistakes beginners make
5. Suggest next steps for deeper learning

Prompts for Specific Development Tasks

API Development

Design a RESTful API for a [domain] system.

Entities:
- [Entity 1]: [attributes]
- [Entity 2]: [attributes]

Provide:
- Endpoint specifications (URL, method, params)
- Request/response schemas (JSON)
- Error response formats
- Authentication approach
- Rate limiting recommendations

Follow REST best practices and use consistent naming.

Database Queries

You are a database expert specializing in [PostgreSQL/MySQL/etc.].

Write an optimized query to:
[Describe what data you need]

Schema:
[Relevant tables and columns]

Requirements:
- Query must be efficient for [X million] rows
- Include indexes if needed
- Explain your optimization choices

Explore our data prompts for more database templates.

Frontend Components

Create a [React/Vue/etc.] component for [purpose].

Requirements:
- [Functionality requirements]
- [Accessibility requirements]
- [Styling approach]

Include:
- TypeScript types/interfaces
- Props documentation
- Usage example
- Unit test suggestions

Use [preferred patterns/libraries].

Working with AI Coding Assistants

Cursor

Cursor uses .cursorrules files for project context. Create rules that help with prompts:

# .cursorrules
You are an expert in TypeScript, React, and Next.js 14.
Use functional components and hooks.
Prefer Server Components unless client interactivity is needed.
Use Tailwind for styling.
Always include error boundaries for async operations.

Check our Cursor rules library for more examples, or read our guide on how to write Cursor rules to create your own.

Windsurf

Windsurf uses .windsurfrules with similar patterns. See our Windsurf rules.

Claude Code

Claude Code uses CLAUDE.md files. Browse Claude rules for templates.

Common Mistakes in Coding Prompts

Mistake 1: No Language/Version Specification

❌ "Write a function to parse JSON" ✅ "Write a Python 3.11 function to parse JSON with error handling"

Mistake 2: No Error Context

❌ "My code doesn't work" ✅ "My code throws 'TypeError: Cannot read property X of undefined' on line 45"

Mistake 3: Pasting Too Much Code

❌ [Entire 500-line file] ✅ [Relevant 20-30 lines with context about where this sits]

Mistake 4: Not Specifying Constraints

❌ "Optimize this function" ✅ "Optimize this function for memory usage; time complexity can increase moderately"

Mistake 5: Forgetting to Mention Dependencies

❌ "Write a date formatter" ✅ "Write a date formatter using date-fns (already installed) that outputs ISO 8601"

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I include my whole codebase in prompts?

No. Include only the relevant code plus any context about how it connects to other parts. AI handles focused context better than massive code dumps.

How do I get AI to match my team's coding style?

Include style requirements in your prompt, or better yet, use rules files (.cursorrules, .windsurfrules) that apply to all prompts in your project.

Is AI-generated code safe to use in production?

Always review AI-generated code thoroughly. AI can produce code with subtle bugs, security issues, or inefficiencies. Treat it like a junior developer's code—helpful but requiring review.

Which AI is best for coding?

Claude excels at following instructions precisely and handling large contexts. ChatGPT is more creative but may need more guidance. For IDE integration, Cursor and Windsurf are excellent choices.

How do I improve at writing coding prompts?

Practice with our coding prompt templates and iterate based on results. Notice what details make outputs better and incorporate them into your standard patterns.

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Ready to level up your AI-assisted coding? Browse our complete coding prompts library with 200+ tested templates, or start with our 50 ChatGPT prompts for developers.