Prompt Chaining
Break complex tasks into sequential steps where each prompt builds on the previous output
What is Prompt Chaining?
Prompt chaining (also called prompt chaining) involves breaking a complex task into a series of smaller, interconnected prompts. Each step uses the output from the previous step as input, creating a chain of reasoning or processing.
This technique mimics how humans approach complex problems - by breaking them into manageable steps and building toward a final solution.
When to Use It
Best For:
- • Multi-stage workflows
- • Content pipelines
- • Data processing tasks
- • Complex analysis
Not Ideal For:
- • Simple, single-step tasks
- • Quick answers
- • When order doesn't matter
- • Limited context windows
Examples
Chain of 3 prompts:
Chain of 3 prompts:
Best Practices
- 01 Design clear output formats
Each step should output structured data the next step can use
- 02 Include all necessary context
Pass forward relevant information from previous steps
- 03 Handle errors at each step
Add validation to catch issues before they propagate
- 04 Test the full chain
Problems often appear at step boundaries, not in individual prompts
Chaining vs Single Prompt
While a single complex prompt can sometimes work, chaining provides better control, easier debugging, and often higher quality results. Each step can be optimized independently, and you can inspect intermediate outputs.