A good prompt tells ZeroTwo what you want, who it is for, and what a finished answer looks like. The same habits work across the models in the model picker, so you do not need a different style for each one.
Write a clear request
- Lead with the task. Start with the job, such as "Summarize", "Compare", or "Draft", rather than background.
- Add the context that matters. Say who the answer is for, what you already know or tried, and any limits on length, tone, or reading level.
- Describe the result. Name the format you want: a table, five bullet points, an email under 150 words, or code with comments.
- Include the material. Paste the text, or select the + button and choose Files and folders, instead of describing a document from memory.
- Ask for what you will need to check. For example, ask ZeroTwo to list its assumptions or to say which claims it is unsure about.
Compare "Write about our product" with "Write a 300-word announcement of our new scheduling feature for small-business owners. Keep it friendly and free of jargon, and end with a question." The second version gives ZeroTwo far less to guess.
Split large tasks
For a big job, ask for an outline first, agree on it, and then ask for one section at a time. Short, focused requests are easier to correct than one long one.
Treat the first answer as a draft
Reply with specific changes, such as "Make it shorter, drop the second section, and keep the table." If you would rather rewrite your own message, hover over a message you sent and select Edit message. That button is not shown on messages that have file attachments, and while ZeroTwo is still replying it tells you to wait or stop the reply first.
Use ZeroTwo's controls
- Current facts. In Chat, turn on Web Search from the + menu when your question depends on recent information.
- Harder problems. For models that show a thinking-level button in the message box (its accessible name is Thinking effort), try a higher level on difficult questions and a lower one on quick tasks.
- Standing preferences. Put lasting preferences, such as tone, format, or background about you, in Settings > Personalization > Companion under Custom instructions, then select Save. The switch there, "Include your profile and custom instructions in every conversation", turns them on or off.
- Long research. For a report that draws on many sources, use Deep Research.