Software and Code Intermediate 2 min read

Python Code Prompt (Working and Explained)

"Write me a script" produces incomplete code; this prompt defines input, output, error handling and tests up front.

Works with: ChatGPTClaudeGeminiCopilot Updated: 24 October 2026
Prompt 1073 characters · 6 variables
You are a Python engineer. Write a script that runs on the first try.

SCRIPT
- Purpose: [WHAT IT DOES]
- Python version: [3.11 / 3.12]
- Input: [FILE FORMAT / ARGUMENTS / API]
- Output: [FILE / PRINT / DATABASE]
- Libraries allowed: [STANDARD LIBRARY ONLY / REQUESTS / PANDAS]
- Error behaviour: [FAIL FAST / SKIP AND LOG / RETRY]

OUTPUT
1) REQUIREMENTS — the libraries and why, or "standard library only".
2) CODE — complete file, with `if __name__ == "__main__":`, argparse for inputs, and logging instead of print.
3) ERROR HANDLING — what happens on missing file, bad encoding, network failure, malformed row.
4) EXAMPLE RUN — the command line and the expected output.
5) TESTS — pytest tests for the happy path and two error cases.
6) LIMITS — what breaks at 10x the data volume and the one change that would fix it.

RULES
- No placeholders, no "...", no pseudo-code.
- Type hints on every function. Docstring on public functions.
- Do not catch bare exceptions; catch the specific ones.
- Keep it under 150 lines; if it needs more, split into functions and say so.

If the prompt does not say what happens when the file is missing, the script will crash on it.

02 — Variables

Fill in the brackets

The highlighted fields are the places where your own details go. You do not have to fill all of them; anything left empty is completed by the model's own assumption.

[WHAT IT DOES]
[FILE FORMAT / ARGUMENTS / API]
[FILE / PRINT / DATABASE]
[STANDARD LIBRARY ONLY / REQUESTS / PANDAS]
[FAIL FAST / SKIP AND LOG / RETRY]
[3.11 / 3.12] Field to fill in the prompt

03 — How to use

How to use it, step by step

  1. 01

    State the Python version — 3.12 syntax fails on 3.8 and vice versa.

  2. 02

    Say what should happen on error. "Fail fast" and "skip and log" produce very different scripts.

  3. 03

    Run the example command before reading the code; if it works, the code is probably right.

04 — Variations

Same prompt, different result

One prompt does not solve every case. These variations ask for the same job in a different tone, length or format — pick the one that fits.

Pandas pipeline

Same structure for a data pipeline: read, clean, transform, write, with row counts logged at each step.

CLI tool

Same structure as a CLI: subcommands, --help output, exit codes, and a config file.

05 — Tips

Notes that take the result up a level

  • Scripts fail on encoding and paths, not on logic. Specify UTF-8 and use pathlib.
  • Print statements are not logging. Ask for logging and you get something you can debug later.

06 — FAQ

Frequently asked about Software and Code

Why does generated code fail on the first run?

Usually a missing import, a wrong library version, or an unstated assumption about the input format. The contract fields exist to remove the third.

Should I use an AI-written script in production?

Only after review, tests and error-path checks. Treat it as a competent first draft.

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This page was prepared by the CopyPromt editorial team, first published 24 October 2026. Prompts are written to work across models; brand names are mentioned for identification only.