RTF 🟢
Need: Absolute start — the simplest framework.
Explanation: Role → Task → Format. Three elements, zero complications.
“Act as [role]. Perform [task]. Return as [format].”
QA: “Act as a tester. Write 5 test cases for login. Return as a table with columns: ID, Description, Steps, Expected Result.”
CARE 🟢
Need: A specific task aimed at a measurable result.
Explanation: Context → Action → Result → Example.
“Context: [situation]. Action: [what to do]. Result: [goal]. Example: [template].”
QA: “Context: new sprint, 15 user stories. Action: generate a smoke test suite. Result: 1 test per story, max 3 steps. Example: US-101 → ‘Verify that the dashboard loads in <3s’.”
CREATE 🟡
Need: Advanced copywriting, highly personalized content.
Explanation: Character → Request → Explanation → Adjustment (tone) → Type of output → Extras.
“Take on the role of [character]. Task: [request]. Background: [context]. Tone: [which]. Type: [format]. Remember to: [extras].”
QA: “Take on the role of a QA manager. Write a sprint quality summary. Background: 3 critical bugs in production. Tone: factual, no panic. Type: email to stakeholders. Remember to: add action items.”
Zero-Shot 🟢
Need: Quick use without examples.
Explanation: Instruction without examples. The model performs the task based solely on its training.
“[Direct instruction]”
QA: “Write tests for the login API. Include both positive and negative scenarios.”
Role Prompting 🟢
Need: Control the style and expertise level of the response.
Explanation: Assigning the model an expert role — changes the “personality” and depth of the response.
“You are a [role with X years of experience]…”
QA: “You are a senior QA with 10 years of experience in fintech. Propose a testing strategy for the AML module.”
Skeleton-of-Thought 🟡
Need: You need a structured response — first a plan, then expansion.
Explanation: The model generates a skeleton (outline), then expands each point.
“First list the response plan (headings only). Then expand each point.”
QA: “Write a test plan. First list the sections (scope, approach, risks, schedule). Then expand each one.”
Full framework map
| Level | Frameworks |
|---|---|
| 🟢 Easy | RTF, CARE, Zero-Shot, Role Prompting, ARC, ICE, TDS, Few-Shot, CoT |
| 🟡 Medium | CRISPE, CO-STAR, SCQA, RISEN, CREATE, Self-Consistency, Meta Prompting, Least-to-Most, Skeleton-of-Thought |
| 🔴 Advanced | ReAct+, ToT, P2P2, Reflexion, PAL |
In the next post: AI Tools Review — ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Codex, Rovo, Devin, Gemini, and OpenClaw.