Introduction
AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude are incredibly powerful — yet many developers still get disappointing results.
The problem isn’t the model.
It’s the prompt.
Unclear, rushed, and poorly structured prompts force the AI to guess, which leads to vague or incorrect output. After running into this problem repeatedly in my own workflow, I built PromptLint.
The Real Problem: Bad Prompts
Most prompts look like this:
- There’s no context.
- No constraints.
- No clear expectations.
The AI has to fill in the gaps — and guessing is exactly why the output falls apart.
The Solution: PromptLint
PromptLint is a VS Code extension that refactors rough prompts into clear, structured, professional instructions.
It automatically introduces:
- Clear roles
- Explicit tasks
- Defined requirements
- Constraints and edge cases
- Expected output format
The result is dramatically better AI responses — without switching models or tools.
How It Works
PromptLint integrates directly into VS Code:
- Refactor selected text via right-click
- Use the interactive Prompt Editor panel
- Choose output options:
- Replace selection
- Open in a new tab
- Copy to clipboard
- Works with OpenAI, Claude, and other compatible APIs
No workflow disruption.
No extra tools to learn.
Example
Before
write code for login
After
A fully structured prompt with a defined role, clear requirements, constraints, and output expectations — producing significantly better results.
Same AI. Better input. Better output.
Who Should Use PromptLint
PromptLint is built for:
- Developers who use ChatGPT or Claude daily
- Engineers writing technical or system-level prompts
- Anyone tired of re-prompting AI to “fix” bad answers
If you use AI seriously, prompt quality is not optional.
Final Thoughts
AI isn’t replacing developers.
Developers who use AI effectively will replace those who don’t.
PromptLint exists to make that advantage automatic.
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