31 Powerful ChatGPT Prompts for Coding [UPDATED]

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9/23/2025

#chatgpt#prompts#prompts#coding

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Alright, let’s be real: coding is awesome, but it can also be a serious grind sometimes. You know the drill – one minute you’re in the zone, and the next you’re lost in a forest of error messages or trying to decipher someone else’s (or your own past self’s!) “clever” code. We’ve all wished for a helping hand or a fresh pair of eyes at times like these.

That’s where something like ChatGPT comes into the picture. You’ve probably heard about it – this AI from OpenAI that can chat, write, and, importantly for us, help with code. Think of it less as a magic box and more as a really capable assistant that can speed things up, offer new perspectives, or just help you get unstuck.

But here’s the key: to get good help, you have to ask good questions. With ChatGPT, those “questions” are your prompts. If your prompts are vague, you’ll get vague (and probably not very helpful) responses. But if you learn to craft them well, it’s a whole different ball game.

This guide is designed to help you do just that. Our aim is to provide a practical and clear collection of prompt ideas – think of them as starting points – for all kinds of coding situations. Need to generate a function? Debug some troublesome code? Understand a new programming concept? We’ve got prompts for that, and more.

How to Use These Prompts Effectively

Think of each prompt as a flexible template or a starting point, designed to help you ask ChatGPT for exactly what you need in a clear way.

The core idea is simple: each prompt below is a template. You’ll see bracketed placeholders like [your specific need here]. Your job is to replace these placeholders with the specific details relevant to your coding task. The more thoughtfully you fill these in, the better and more relevant ChatGPT’s response will be.

To get the absolute best results, keep these Key Principles for Effective Coding Prompts in mind as you go:

Be Specific: Clearly define the language, task, desired output, and any constraints. This means when you see [language], don’t just say ‘code’; say ‘Python’, ‘JavaScript’, ‘C#’, etc. When a prompt asks for [describe detailed logic and purpose], the more detail you provide about what the code should do, what problem it solves, and any specific steps involved, the better! For example, instead of “make a list,” try “create a Python list of strings, where each string is a filename from a directory, excluding files that start with a dot.”
Provide Context: Include relevant code snippets, error messages, and the overall goal. If a prompt has a spot for [paste your code snippet] or [paste full error message and traceback], include the relevant and complete information. Don’t just give a single line of code if the error depends on surrounding lines. Explain what you were trying to achieve with that code. The more ChatGPT understands the “why,” the better it can help with the “how.”
Set the Role (Optional but helpful): “Act as a senior Python developer…” can prime ChatGPT for better responses. You can often preface your prompt with a role. For example, “Act as an expert SQL database administrator. Write a SQL query that…” or “You are a helpful assistant specializing in JavaScript performance optimization. Review this code…” This can sometimes nudge the AI towards a more focused and nuanced answer.
Specify Format: Request output in a specific format (e.g., “Provide the code in a single block,” “Explain step-by-step”). If you need the code in a particular way, ask for it! Examples: “Provide the function in a single Python code block.” “Explain the solution step-by-step.” “List the pros and cons in bullet points.” “Format the output as a JSON object.”
Iterate: Don’t expect perfection on the first try. Refine your prompt based on ChatGPT’s response. Sometimes the first response isn’t quite what you wanted. That’s okay! Treat it as a conversation. You can say, “That’s a good start, but can you also make sure it handles [new edge case]?” or “Can you explain that part about [specific concept] in simpler terms?” or “Can you provide an alternative using [different approach]?” Refining your prompt based on the output is a key skill.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match elements from different prompts if that helps you articulate your request better. The goal is clear communication. The more specific and contextual information you provide by filling in those placeholders, the more powerful ChatGPT becomes as your coding assistant.

Below you’ll find a categorized list of prompt templates. Remember to replace the [placeholders] with your specific details, keeping the Key Principles in mind.

I. Code Generation

These prompts help you generate new code, from simple functions to more complex structures.

Generate a Function:
Generate a [language] function named “[function name]” that:
1. Accepts the following parameters: “[parameter name 1 (type)]“, “[parameter name 2 (type)]“.
2. Performs the following logic: “[describe detailed logic and purpose]“.
3. Returns “[return type and description of what it returns]“.
[Optional: Add constraints like "Ensure it handles edge cases like [edge case 1], [edge case 2]."]
[Optional: "Use [specific library or idiom] if appropriate."]
Generate a Class/Object Structure:
Create a [language] class named “[ClassName]” to represent “[concept the class represents]“.
It should have the following:
1. Properties:
– “[property name 1 (type)]“: “[description of property 1]”
– “[property name 2 (type)]“: “[description of property 2]”
2. Methods:
– “[method name 1(parameters)]“: “[description of method 1 purpose and logic]”
– “[method name 2(parameters)]“: “[description of method 2 purpose and logic]”
[Optional: "Include a constructor that initializes [specific properties]."]
[Optional: "Implement [specific design pattern like singleton or factory method]."]
Write a Script/Program:
Write a [language] script that performs the following task: “[detailed description of the script's overall goal]“.
The script should:
1. “[Step 1: e.g., Read data from a file named [filename.ext]]”
2. “[Step 2: e.g., Process the data by [specific processing logic]]”
3. “[Step 3: e.g., Output the result to [console/new file.ext] in [specific format like JSON or CSV]]”
[Optional: "The script should handle potential errors like [error type 1] and [error type 2]."]
[Optional: "It should take command-line arguments for [argument 1 purpose] and [argument 2 purpose]."]
Implement an Algorithm:
Implement the “[algorithm name]” algorithm in “[language]” to “[purpose of the algorithm in this context, e.g., sort a list of numbers]“.
The function should take “[input description, e.g., a list of integers]” and return “[output description, e.g., a new sorted list]“.
Provide the code and a brief explanation of how it implements the algorithm.

II. Debugging and Error Resolution

Pinpoint and fix issues in your existing code.

Debug Specific Error:
I’m getting an error in my [language] code.
Error message: [paste full error message and traceback]
Here’s the relevant code snippet:
```
[paste your code snippet causing the error]
```
My goal is to [what the code is supposed to do].
Can you explain the error and suggest a fix?
Identify Potential Bugs / Code Review:
Review the following [language] code for potential bugs, logical errors, security vulnerabilities (like [SQL injection example] or [XSS example]), or anti-patterns.
My goal with this code is [what the code is supposed to do].
```
[paste your code snippet]
```
What improvements, corrections, or security considerations would you suggest?
Explain Unexpected Behavior:
This [language] code is not behaving as expected:
```
[paste your code snippet]
```
I expect it to [expected behavior and output].
Instead, it’s [actual unexpected behavior and output].
Can you help me understand why and how to fix it?

III. Code Explanation and Understanding

Get clarity on how code works.

Explain Code Snippet:
Explain this [language] code snippet line by line (or in logical chunks):
```
[paste code snippet]
```
What is its primary purpose, how does it achieve it, and are there any non-obvious aspects?
Explain a Concept with Code:
Explain the programming concept of “[specific concept e.g., recursion, polymorphism, closures]” in the context of “[language]“.
Please provide a simple and clear code example to illustrate it.
[Optional: "Compare it with [related concept] if applicable."]
Simplify Complex Code:
This [language] code is a bit complex for me to understand:
```
[paste complex code snippet]
```
Can you explain its logic in simpler terms and perhaps provide a refactored version that is easier to read, while maintaining the same functionality?

IV. Code Refactoring and Optimization

Improve the quality, performance, or readability of existing code.

Refactor for Readability/Maintainability/Principles:
Refactor the following [language] code to improve its “[readability/maintainability/adherence to SOLID principles/adherence to DRY principle]“:
```
[paste code snippet]
```
Explain the changes you made and why they improve the code according to the specified goal.
Optimize for Performance:
Optimize this [language] code snippet for better performance (e.g., speed or memory usage):
```
[paste code snippet]
```
The critical part for optimization is “[describe bottleneck or specific area]“.
Suggest changes and explain the potential performance impact.
[Optional: "Focus on [algorithmic changes/reducing loops/memory efficiency]."]
Convert to Idiomatic Code / Modern Features:
Convert the following [language] code to be more idiomatic for [language] (or a specific framework like [framework name]).
Alternatively, refactor it to use modern language features like [specific modern feature e.g., async/await in JavaScript, Python f-strings, Java Streams].
```
[paste code snippet]
```
Highlight the changes and explain their benefits.

V. Unit Testing

Generate test cases for your code.

Write Unit Tests:
Write unit tests in “[testing framework e.g., pytest, JUnit, Jest]” for the following “[language]” function/class:
```
[paste function or class definition or relevant snippet]
```
The tests should cover:
1. “[Happy path scenario 1]”
2. “[Edge case scenario 1, e.g., empty input, null values]”
3. “[Error handling scenario 1, e.g., invalid input type]”
[Optional: "Ensure test names are descriptive."]
[Optional: "Mock [specific dependency or external call] if necessary."]
Suggest Test Cases:
I have the following [language] function/method:
```
[paste function or method snippet]
```
What are some important test cases (including edge cases and potential failure points) I should consider when writing unit tests for it?

VI. Learning and Best Practices

Understand concepts, syntax, and best practices.

Compare Concepts/Tools:
Compare and contrast “[concept or tool A e.g., REST APIs]” with “[concept or tool B e.g., GraphQL]” in the context of “[specific application or use case e.g., web development]“.
What are the pros, cons, and typical use cases for each?
Best Practices for a Task:
What are the common best practices in [language] for “[specific task e.g., error handling, database connection management, writing secure code against XSS]“?
Provide brief explanations and small code examples if applicable.
Understand Syntax or Feature:
Explain the “[specific syntax or feature e.g., async/await, decorators, lambda functions]” in “[language]“.
How does it work, and when should I use it? Provide a simple example.

VII. Understanding and Applying Design Patterns

Learn about and implement software design patterns.

Explain a Design Pattern:
Explain the “[design pattern name e.g., Singleton, Factory, Observer]” design pattern in the context of “[language]“.
Describe its purpose, structure (key components/roles), common use cases, pros, and cons.
Provide a clear and concise code example demonstrating its implementation.
Choose a Design Pattern for a Problem:
I need to solve the following design problem in my [language] project: “[describe the design problem or scenario in detail e.g., how to allow multiple objects to be notified of state changes in another object without tight coupling]“.
Which design pattern(s) would be most suitable for addressing this? Explain your reasoning and provide a brief overview of how the chosen pattern(s) might be implemented in this context.
Apply a Design Pattern to Existing Code:
Review the following [language] code snippet:
```
[paste your code snippet]
```
Could I refactor this code to incorporate the “[design pattern name]” design pattern to achieve “[specific goal e.g., better modularity, increased flexibility, decoupling components]“?
If so, explain how and provide a refactored version of the code or highlight the key changes needed.

VIII. Language Translation & API/Library Usage

Convert code between languages or learn how to use specific tools.

Translate Code:
Translate the following “[source language]” code snippet to “[target language]“:
```
[paste source code snippet]
```
Ensure the translated code maintains the original logic and functionality.
Point out any significant differences in idioms, standard library usage, or potential pitfalls during translation.
Using a Library/API:
How do I use the “[library or API name]” in “[language]” to “[specific task e.g., make a GET request to an endpoint, parse a JSON file, connect to a database]“?
Provide a clear code example demonstrating how to:
1. “[Step 1: e.g., Import necessary modules/Install the library]”
2. “[Step 2: e.g., Initialize the client or set up parameters, including authentication like [API key/OAuth token] if needed]”
3. “[Step 3: e.g., Execute the main action, like calling [specific API endpoint] or [library function]]”
4. “[Step 4: e.g., Handle the response (e.g., parse [JSON/XML data], extract [specific fields]) or errors (e.g., handle [HTTP status code 401/429])]”
[Optional: "Assume I have already installed [library name] and its dependencies."]

IX. Data-Specific Tasks (Regex, SQL, etc.)

Prompts for tasks involving specific data formats or query languages.

Generate Regular Expression:
Generate a regular expression (for “[regex flavor e.g., PCRE, Python, JavaScript]“) that can:
1. Match “[describe pattern to match e.g., email addresses, dates in YYYY-MM-DD format, phone numbers in US format]“.
2. From text like: “[provide an example string or text where the pattern exists]“.
[Optional: "It should also capture [specific group e.g., the domain name from the email, all hashtags]."]
Explain the regex components.
Then, show a code example in “[language]” of how to use this regex to “[specific task e.g., find all matches, replace the pattern, validate an input string, extract information]” with an example.
Write SQL Query:
Write a SQL query for “[database type e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server]” that “[describe desired data retrieval or manipulation e.g., select names and emails of users registered last month]“.
Using table(s):
– “[table1 name]” (columns: “[col1 A (datatype)], [col1 B (datatype)], [col1 C (datatype)]“)
– “[table2 name]” (columns: “[col2 X (datatype)], [col2 Y (datatype)], [col2 Z (datatype)]“)
[Optional: "The tables are joined on [table1 name].[column key] = [table2 name].[column key]."]
[Optional: "Filter results where [column name][operator][value]."]
[Optional: "Order results by [column name][ASC/DESC]."]
[Optional: "Create a table '[new table name]' with columns: '[col A (type, constraints)]', '[col B (type, constraints)]'."]

X. Tooling and Environment

Get help with development tools and setup.

Git Command Usage:
What is the Git command (or sequence of commands) to “[specific git action e.g., revert the last commit, merge a branch into main, create and switch to a new branch named feature-xyz]“?
Explain any important options or considerations for this action.
Configure Development Environment:
How do I set up a basic development environment for “[language or framework e.g., Node.js with Express, Python with Django]” on “[operating system e.g., Ubuntu 20.04, macOS Sonoma]“?
What are the key tools I need to install (e.g., “[compiler/interpreter name]“, “[package manager name]“, “[IDE or editor suggestion]“)?
Provide step-by-step instructions or a list of commands.

XI. Brainstorming Ideas (Projects & Features)

Generate creative ideas for coding projects or application features.

Generate Project Ideas:
Generate “[number e.g., 3-5]” project ideas for a “[skill level e.g., beginner, intermediate, advanced]” developer using “[language or technology 1 e.g., Python, JavaScript, React]” and optionally “[language or technology 2 e.g., Flask, Node.js, a public API]“.
The projects should focus on “[domain or area of interest e.g., web development, data science, AI, game development, environmental sustainability]“.
For each idea, briefly describe the core concept and list 2-3 potential key features.
Suggest Feature Enhancements:
I am currently developing a “[type of application e.g., to-do list app, e-commerce site, social media platform]” using “[language or stack]“.
What are “[number e.g., 2-3]” interesting or useful features I could add to enhance “[specific aspect e.g., user engagement, functionality, monetization, user experience]“?
For each feature, briefly explain its potential benefit.

XII. Coding Challenge Practice & Interview Preparation

Prepare for technical interviews by practicing problems and understanding key concepts.

Generate Coding Interview Problem:
Generate a “[difficulty level e.g., easy, medium, hard]” coding interview problem suitable for a “[language]” developer.
The problem should focus on “[topic e.g., arrays and strings, linked lists, trees and graphs, sorting and searching, dynamic programming, recursion]“.
Please provide:
1. A clear problem statement.
2. At least one example input and its corresponding expected output.
3. An optimal or well-reasoned solution in “[language]“.
4. A step-by-step explanation of the solution’s logic.
5. An analysis of the time and space complexity of the provided solution.
Explain Common Interview Concepts/Question Types:
What are some common conceptual questions or typical coding task types related to “[specific topic or data structure e.g., hash maps in Java, Python list comprehensions and generators, JavaScript closures and scope, Big O notation, common sorting algorithms analysis]” that are often asked in “[language or general software engineer]” coding interviews?
For each, briefly outline the key points to understand, discuss, or demonstrate.

By using these more detailed and structured prompts, you’ll significantly improve the relevance and accuracy of ChatGPT’s responses for your coding tasks.