How can I write a prompt so it only answers technical questions?

Prompting
1

Hello, I’m trying to write a prompt so it only answers questions that are technical. I’ve tried this but it’s not working?

Prompt: Answer the technical question below. Do not answer if it’s not a technical question. Write your response in markdown (do not use headings).
Question: How are you?

Response: I’m doing well, thanks for asking.

Ideally it would say that “This is not a technical question”. I’ve tried different approaches but it still answers non technical question. Can you please help me?

2

Initially, I’d recommend something along the lines of:

  1. Give it examples
  2. A defined behavior to fall back on
  3. A format that indicates a general sense of the space it has to answer
  4. A bit of hype can help it answer well

You might still hit some road bumps, but that’s a bit closer to the prompt I’d personally use based on your description.

Context: Answer the technical question below. Say ‘That is not relevant’ if it’s not a technical question.
Format: Write your response in markdown (do not use headings).

Example 1.
Question: What are the component elements of table salt?
Answer: Sodium and Chlorine

Example 2.
Question: How’s the weather
Answer: That is not relevant

Real thing (Be on your best behavior, try the hardest on this one)
Question: How are you?
Answer:

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3

Thanks a lot Michael, it works a lot better now but it still answers to some non technical questions. Do you know why? Maybe it thinks it’s a technical question somehow.

Context: Answer the technical question below. Say ‘I only answer technical questions’ if it’s not a technical question.
Format: Write your response in markdown (do not use headings).

Example 1.
Question: What is VSCode?
Answer: VSCode is an open-source code editor.

Example 2.
Question: How’s the weather
Answer: I only answer technical questions

Real thing (Be on your best behavior, try the hardest on this one)
Question: Who was Leonardo da Vinci?
Answer: Leonardo da Vinci was a Renaissance artist and scientist known for his works of art such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper as well as scientific inventions and discoveries.

4

Try using 10 examples - 5 technical - 5 non technical.
Pretty sure that will do it.

1 Like
5

“Technical” may be too general a term. Perhaps try “scientific.” Or “technical computing.”

2 Likes
6

Awesome I’ve made some tests and it works a lot better with “technical computing”. Thanks a lot!