5 copy-paste prompts written for the day-to-day work of it supports. Each names a recommended tool and the shape of output to expect, so you can adapt it and get a usable first draft in one go.
Refactor suggestion with rationale
Recommended tool · Cursor · Intermediate
You are assisting a it support. Look at the code below and propose a refactor. Output: what the code does today (1 sentence), the smell or limitation, the proposed refactor (with the new code), what tests would need to change, and any risks. Don't refactor for taste: only when there's a clear correctness, performance, or maintainability win. Code:
[paste code here]
Expected output shape
A refactor proposal with new code, test changes, and risks.
Plain-language summary of a stack trace or error
Recommended tool · Claude · Beginner
As a it support, summarize the error below for someone non-technical: what failed, the most-likely root cause (with confidence), what would fix it, and how to know we fixed it. End with what I should ask the engineer if I want to dig deeper. Keep under 200 words. Don't paste the trace back at me. Trace:
[paste here]
Expected output shape
A plain-language explanation of the error and proposed fix.
Generate API docs from code
Recommended tool · GitHub Copilot · Intermediate
Generate API documentation for the code below as a it support would write it. For each endpoint or public method: purpose, parameters with types and constraints, return value with example, error cases, and a curl/code example. Match the style of [existing docs / OpenAPI / Markdown]. Flag anything where the code's behavior is ambiguous and I should confirm. Code:
[paste here]
Expected output shape
API docs ready to merge into the docs site, with ambiguities flagged.
Incident summary for non-technical stakeholders
Recommended tool · Claude · Intermediate
Draft an incident summary a it support would send to non-technical stakeholders. Cover: what happened in one sentence, who was affected, when (timeline), what we did to mitigate, what we're doing to prevent recurrence, and what stakeholders should communicate to their teams. Tone: factual, no blame, no defensive hedging. Under 300 words. Source notes:
[paste here]
Expected output shape
A clear, blameless incident summary ready to send.
Code-review checklist for a PR
Any general LLM · Intermediate
Create a code-review checklist a it support would run on a PR for [feature type: auth, payments, data migration, etc.]. Cover: correctness checks specific to this domain, error and edge cases that often slip, security and privacy checks, test coverage gaps, and performance concerns. Mark each item with [must / should / nice]. Plain numbered list.
Expected output shape
A domain-specific code-review checklist ready to use as a PR template.
Getting better results
Replace every bracketed placeholder with specific details before sending.
Tell the tool who the output is for and what format you need.
Ask for assumptions and open questions, then answer them in a follow-up.
Treat the result as a first draft. Verify facts, numbers and citations yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use these prompts as a it support?
Copy a prompt, replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details, and paste it into the recommended tool. Read the output critically, edit it, and never send it on without checking facts, figures and names.
Which AI tool works best with these prompts?
Each prompt names a recommended tool. Across this set we suggest Cursor, Claude and GitHub Copilot, but the prompts are written to work with any capable assistant.
Is it safe to paste work information into these tools?
Only if your organization has approved the tool and its data-handling terms. Remove names, identifiers and confidential details from any prompt before using a consumer chat app.
Independent prompt library by the AI by Career editorial team. Last reviewed September 2026. No paid placement or affiliate influence; see our editorial policy.
