OpenAI released GPT-6 Astra in early September 2026, rolling it out first to limited organizations and then more widely to paid ChatGPT plans and API users. Marketing language around “AGI era” is loud; for everyday use, the practical shift is simpler: the model handles longer, tool-using tasks better when you specify the outcome and the limits.
Below is a prompt style that works well with that kind of model — plus copy-paste examples.
What to change in your prompts
- State the end result — “Deliver a finished checklist / draft / plan,” not “help me think about…”
- Add constraints — length, tone, tools allowed, what not to invent
- Define success — how you will judge the answer
- Break big jobs — steps the model should complete in order
- Ask for verification — “list assumptions” or “flag uncertainty”
Core template for GPT-6
Goal: [what “done” looks like]
Context: [who you are / tools / files / constraints]
Steps:
1. …
2. …
3. …
Rules:
- Do not invent facts or sources
- If something is unknown, say so
- Output format: [bullets / table / doc structure]
Success criteria:
- [how I will know this is usable]
1. Multi-step work plan
Create a practical plan to [GOAL] in [TIMEFRAME].
Audience: [WHO]
Constraints: [budget / tools / skills]
Output:
1. Ordered steps
2. Time estimate per step
3. Risks and how to reduce them
4. First action I can take in the next 30 minutes
Keep it concrete. No motivational filler.
2. Document / report draft
Draft a [report / proposal / one-pager] about [TOPIC].
Must include:
- Clear title
- 3–5 sections with headings
- Bullet points where lists help
- A short “next steps” section
Tone: professional and direct
Length: about [N] words
Do not invent statistics. Use placeholders like [DATA] when numbers are needed.
3. Coding task with checks
Write [language] code that [does X].
Requirements:
- [requirement 1]
- [requirement 2]
Also provide:
1. Brief explanation of the approach
2. How to run it
3. Edge cases to test
If a requirement is ambiguous, ask one clarifying question first — otherwise proceed with explicit assumptions.
4. Computer-use style instruction
You can use the computer/browser to complete this task.
Task: [e.g. find official pricing page for X and summarize plans]
Rules:
- Prefer official sources
- Record each site you used
- If login or payment is required, stop and report what you found
- Final output: short summary + links + open questions
5. Compare options (decision brief)
Compare [Option A] vs [Option B] for [USE CASE].
Criteria (in order of importance):
1. [criterion]
2. [criterion]
3. [criterion]
Output a table, then a one-paragraph recommendation.
Mark any claim that depends on pricing or features that may change.
6. Rewrite for clarity
Rewrite the text below for a [audience].
Goals:
- Shorter sentences
- Same meaning and facts
- Remove hype and filler
Text:
[PASTE]
Quick tips
- Longer context helps only if you put the goal at the top.
- For agent-style tasks, say when to stop and what to hand back.
- Treat outputs as drafts — especially code, legal, medical, or financial content.
- Old good habits still win: role + task + constraints + format.
Note: Product names, availability, and limits change. Check ChatGPT model picker / OpenAI docs for what your account can access.