Most people type a simple question into ChatGPT, get a simple answer, and miss out on most of what the tool can actually do. This is rarely the AI's fault; it's almost always the prompt. With the right commands and shortcuts, you can control the tone, format, and depth of the response. In this guide, you'll find a list of the most important ChatGPT commands, along with structured prompts and advanced techniques to take you from an occasional user to a power user. This is how you get more accurate, creative, and detailed answers for every task.
What are ChatGPT commands and secret codes?
ChatGPT commands, often called "secret codes," are specific words, phrases, or shortcuts that influence the AI's response style, tone, and format. They aren't official cheats. They are shortcuts and prompt patterns discovered by the community that work reliably. Essentially, you're using them to assign the AI a role or give it a clear instruction.
Instead of asking vaguely, you provide context and requirements. Instead of "Explain black holes to me," you might write "ELI5: Black holes" (Explain Like I'm 5) and get a highly simplified explanation. This level of control is especially important if you want to integrate AI into your workflows. Formulating your requests clearly and with focus from the start also helps you avoid common pitfalls in AI projects.
The list of the most important ChatGPT commands and shortcuts
There is no official list of secret commands. However, the AI community has developed a whole range of effective prompts. Here is a practical list of ChatGPT codes that you can use in your daily life.
Commands for tone and style
Use these shortcuts to give your response the right tone.
- ELI5 (Explain Like I'm 5): Explains complex topics simply enough for a five-year-old to understand.
- ELI10 (Explain Like I'm 10): A bit more sophisticated than ELI5. The ELI10 code in ChatGPT is great for clear, simple explanations without being too basic.
- Humanize: Makes ChatGPT write more naturally, casually, and less like a robot.
- No Buzzwords: No marketing jargon or trendy buzzwords.
- Casual / Formal / Friendly / Professional: Controls the tone, from factual and serious to approachable and friendly.
- Jargonize: The opposite of ELI5. Using technical terms and a formal style makes the content sound more expert.
- Act as [Persona]: Assign a specific role, such as "Act as a historian" or "Act as a travel guide." This is one of the most powerful commands you can use.
Commands for structure and format
These codes determine how deeply ChatGPT dives into a topic. This way, you won't get a three-page essay for a simple question, or just two sentences for a complex topic.
- TL;DR: Summarizes a long text briefly.
- List as bullet points: Presents the output in a clear, bulleted list.
- Exec Summary: Short for "Executive Summary." Provides a decision-making aid for managers (results plus recommended actions).
- Overview: Handy for quickly getting an overview of a new topic.
- Output in table format: Organizes data clearly into rows and columns.
- Use Markdown: Formats the text with headings, bold, italics, and lists to make it easier to read.
These ChatGPT commands and prompt codes are free and will noticeably improve your results. You can find more ideas for structuring complex information in prompt engineering forums like the one on Reddit.
Tip: You can save commands you use all the time, like those for tone or format, in your custom instructions. That way, you don't have to type them into every prompt.
Commands for mindset
This is how you define how ChatGPT approaches a task. It usually makes the answers more structured and easier to follow.
- Step by Step: Get the answer as a step-by-step guide. You don't really need this command for current reasoning models like GPT-6, as they think things through on their own anyway.
- Ask me questions first: ChatGPT doesn't start right away, but asks for any missing information first.
- Critique your answer: Often leads to much better results because the AI double-checks its own answer.
- Challenge my assumptions: ChatGPT critically examines your assumptions and points out potential flaws in logic or risks.
- Think from multiple perspectives: Examines a topic from different angles, providing more balanced and well-founded answers.
"You shouldn't treat these models like a simple search engine where you ask a question and get an answer. Instead, view them as a capable, ultra-fast junior colleague with whom you refine tasks step by step through an ongoing dialogue."
Advanced techniques: more than just simple commands
Want to dive deeper? Advanced prompt engineering combines several techniques to solve even complex tasks. It requires a bit more thought, but delivers significantly better results.
The multi-perspective approach
Why stick to one point of view when you can have several? Ask ChatGPT to analyze a topic from different perspectives. The result is more balanced and insightful.
Example prompt:
"Analyze the impact of remote work from the perspective of (1) a CEO focused on productivity, (2) an employee who values work-life balance, and (3) an urban economist studying city centers. Then, synthesize these viewpoints into a balanced summary."
This technique forces the AI to go beyond superficial answers and explore the nuances of a topic. It works well for research, decision-making, and content creation.
The myth of the "3-word rule in ChatGPT"
You might have come across a "3-word rule in ChatGPT" before. That's mostly a misconception, as there is no official rule limiting prompts to three words. The idea likely stems from the principle of clarity and conciseness: a precise, well-formulated prompt works better than a long, rambling one. It’s about accuracy, not a fixed word count.
Prompts for images and graphics
Many people ask for ChatGPT codes for images. ChatGPT generates images directly in the chat, currently using the ChatGPT Images 2.5 model. The former DALL-E has since been replaced. To get an image, simply describe what you want to see. Our overview on creating images with AI for free shows you what alternatives are available.
Example prompt:
"Create a photorealistic image of an astronaut drinking coffee on Mars. Earth is visible in the sky. The style should look cinematic and impressive."
There is no secret ChatGPT command for logos. However, you can describe the desired logo in detail to generate concepts. Be sure to specify colors, shapes, the style (e.g., minimalist, vintage, or modern), and any text that should appear in the logo.
Step-by-step to the perfect prompt
A structured approach helps you get the most out of ChatGPT. After all, using AI effectively isn't just about the tool, it's about having a solid plan.
- Define your goal: What do you want to achieve? A blog post, code, a summary, or a business plan? Without a clear goal, you won't get a clear answer.
- Assign a role: Give ChatGPT a persona. What kind of expert do you need?
- Provide context: Share all the necessary background information. Who is the target audience, and what is it about?
- Formulate clear instructions: Use action-oriented verbs like "list," "summarize," or "write." Specify the format, length, and tone.
- Refine and iterate: The first answer is rarely perfect. Use follow-up prompts like "Make it shorter," "Add more examples," or "Rewrite this from a different perspective" to refine the result.
This step-by-step approach is one of the most effective prompt tricks out there.
Now that you know the best prompt codes, it’s worth taking a look at how to permanently save these instructions in your profile. Read our guide to custom instructions in ChatGPT.
Conclusion
The real secret to using ChatGPT isn't some hidden list of commands. What matters is writing with intent and precision. By combining personas, clear instructions, and structured formats, you can guide the AI to produce exceptionally good results. This guide to ChatGPT commands and shortcuts provides the foundation; you'll learn the rest through practice. Start experimenting today, and you'll find yourself working more productively and creatively. Don't treat the AI like a search engine, treat it like a versatile, knowledgeable partner. You can find more on structured thinking in the BBC's guide to computational thinking, or feel free to get in touch with us directly.
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FAQ
What are ChatGPT commands and secret codes?
They aren't official codes, but rather prompt techniques developed by the community. These include specific abbreviations, roles, and formats that help you guide ChatGPT toward more precise and useful answers. This is how you get exactly the content you need.
What ChatGPT shortcuts are there?
The most well-known ChatGPT shortcuts are ELI5 and ELI10 for simple explanations, TL;DR for short summaries, and Exec Summary for decision-making templates. You can find the complete list of all commands earlier in this article.
What is the ELI10 code in ChatGPT?
"ELI10" stands for "Explain Like I'm 10." This command prompts ChatGPT to explain a concept in simple terms that a ten-year-old would understand. It's perfect for breaking down complex topics without oversimplifying them too much.
How do I get a secret ChatGPT key?
A "secret key" usually refers to an API key, not a code for the chat interface. You get one by creating an account on the OpenAI platform. Developers use it to integrate ChatGPT into their own applications.
Are there ChatGPT commands for images?
There aren't any secret codes for this; you just need to describe the image accurately. ChatGPT will then generate it using its built-in image model, DALL-E. For the best results, describe the subject, style, colors, and composition as specifically as possible.
Is there a list of free ChatGPT commands?
You can use all these prompt techniques and codes in ChatGPT for free. The important thing is to structure your requests well. The list in this guide contains the most important commands and strategies that you can start using right away.
Posted by:
Jens is the co-founder of bakedwith, a boutique consultancy firm specialising in smart automation and AI. He helps medium-sized companies and corporations to optimise processes, reduce manual work and achieve growth through efficient workflows. Previously, he was Growth Lead at OMR and worked as a freelancer, helping numerous companies optimise their CRM and automation systems. Jens is passionate about combining growth and efficiency to enable teams to focus on what matters most.
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