---
id: "action-write-precise-specs"
type: "action-item"
source_timestamps: ["00:05:46", "00:06:12"]
tags: ["prompt-engineering"]
related: ["concept-specification-precision"]
action: "Define exact parameters, measurable thresholds, and escalation rules in prompts instead of vague instructions."
outcome: "Agents execute tasks predictably without hallucinating missing parameters."
speakers: ["Nate B. Jones"]
sources: ["s42-job-market-split"]
sourceVaultSlug: "s42-job-market-split"
originDay: 42
---
# Write Precise Specifications

## Action

Stop using vague prompts like *'improve customer support'*. Instead, define exact parameters:

- Specify the **tier of tickets** the agent handles.
- List **exact handled scenarios** (password resets, returns, refund eligibility).
- Define **measurable sentiment thresholds** for human escalation.
- Require **reason codes** for all logged actions.

## Skill it operationalises

[[concept-specification-precision]] — the first skill in [[framework-7-ai-skills]].

## Expected outcome

Agents execute tasks predictably without hallucinating missing parameters. Reduces susceptibility to [[concept-specification-drift]] over long runs.