The Cheat Codes of ChatGPT – Here are 32 shortcuts to force better outputs instantly.

Here are 32 ultra-high-leverage ChatGPT shortcut commands you can copy/paste at the very beginning of any prompt to instantly change the output.

Each one acts like a modifier – speeding up your workflow, improving clarity, and unlocking higher-level reasoning with zero extra effort. Use these to write faster, research deeper, think clearer, and get more predictable results from ChatGPT.

If your prompts feel long, messy, or inconsistent, here’s the cheat code.

Why use these?

• Mode Switching: They instantly shift ChatGPT into the mode you need.
• Quality: You get cleaner, more predictable, higher-quality answers.
• Brevity: You reduce prompt length by 30–70%.
• Efficiency: You eliminate back-and-forth corrections.
• Speed: Your workflow becomes dramatically faster.

Here is the comprehensive list of 32 shortcuts, categorized by how they help you.

 Speed & Formatting (Get to the point)

Use these when you need specific output formats without the fluff.

• /ELI5: Explain Like I’m 5. Great for complex concepts (Quantum physics, Blockchain).
• /TLDL: "Too Long; Didn't Listen/Read". Summarizes long transcripts or texts into a few key lines.
• /BRIEFLY: Forces a ruthless constraint on length. Good for quick definitions.
• /EXEC SUMMARY: Generates a high-level summary suitable for a CEO or decision-maker.
• /CHECKLIST: Converts the response into a functional, actionable checkbox list.
• /FORMAT AS [Type]: Forces the output into a specific format (Table, JSON, Markdown, CSV).
  • Example: /FORMAT AS TABLE: Compare iPhone 15 vs 14 specs.

 Persona & Tone (Change the voice)

Stop the "AI voice" by forcing a specific perspective.

• /ACT AS [Role]: Sets a specific persona. (e.g., /ACT AS Michelin Chef).
• /TONE [Mood]: Modifies the emotional weight (Formal, Sarcastic, Urgent, Dramatic).
• /AUDIENCE [Target]: Adapts complexity for a specific group (Experts, Beginners, Stakeholders).
• /JARGON: Specifically asks the AI to use technical, industry-specific vocabulary (opposite of ELI5).
• /DEV MODE: Simulates a raw, technical developer perspective (code-heavy, concise).
• /PM MODE: Adopts a Project Manager persona (focus on timelines, resources, risks).

 Deep Logic & Reasoning (Think harder)

Use these to stop hallucinations and force better logic.

• /STEP-BY-STEP: Forces the AI to show its work. Proven to reduce math and logic errors.
• /CHAIN OF THOUGHT: Similar to step-by-step, but focuses on the connecting logic between ideas.
• /FIRST PRINCIPLES: Breaks a problem down to its fundamental truths and builds up from there.
• /DELIBERATE THINKING: Forces a "slow down" approach to reasoning (great for complex strategy).
• /NO AUTOPILOT: Explicit instruction to avoid generic, cliché, or lazy answers.
• /REFLECTIVE MODE: Asks the AI to reflect on its own answer after generating it to check for quality.
• /SYSTEMATIC BIAS CHECK: Explicitly asks the AI to scan its response for inherent biases.
• /EVAL-SELF: Forces a critical self-evaluation of the response at the end.

 Analysis & Strategy (Big picture thinking)

Turn the AI into a business consultant.

• /SWOT: Generates a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats analysis.
• /COMPARE: Puts two or more concepts side-by-side (best combined with /FORMAT AS TABLE).
• /MULTI-PERSPECTIVE: Explores a topic from 3-4 different viewpoints (e.g., Economic, Social, Ethical).
• /PARALLEL LENSES: Similar to multi-perspective, but examines a singular issue through specific theoretical lenses.
• /PITFALLS: Specifically focuses on what could go wrong or common mistakes in a plan.
• /METRICS MODE: Forces the answer to include measurable KPIs, numbers, or success indicators.
• /CONTEXT STACK: Instructs the AI to keep previous context layers active (useful for long chats).

 Advanced Control (The power user tools)

• /ROLE: TASK: FORMAT:: The "God Mode" of prompts. Defines everything in one line.
  • Example: /ROLE: Teacher /TASK: Explain Gravity /FORMAT: Analogy
• /SCHEMA: Generates a structured outline or data model for a project.
• /REWRITE AS [Style]: Takes existing text and transforms it (e.g., /REWRITE AS Seinfeld script).
• /BEGIN WITH / END WITH: Constraints the AI to start or end sentences in a specific way (great for coding or creative writing constraints).
• /GUARDRAIL: Sets strict negative constraints (e.g., "Do not use emojis", "Do not mention X").

3 Alternative Approaches

Use these depending on your goals:

1) Prompt Spine Method (my recommendation)
Define Role → Goal → Constraints → Output Format.

• Most control.
• Best for business, technical, and long-form tasks.

2) Modifier Stack Method Add 3–5 shortcuts on one line.

• Great for speed when you want a specific style.
• Example: /EXEC SUMMARY /CHECKLIST /FIRST PRINCIPLES: [Topic]

3) God Mode Single-Line Method Combine Role, Task, and Format into one command for rapid execution.

• Old Way: "Hi, can you act as a teacher and explain gravity using an analogy?"
• New Way: /ROLE: Teacher /TASK: Explain Gravity /FORMAT: Analogy

Hope this helps you speed up your workflow! Let me know if you have any other shortcuts you use.