# Four Level framework for prompt engineering
> Watch the breakdown here in a [Q4 2024 prompt engineering update video](https://youtu.be/ujnLJru2LIs)
>
> [LLM library](https://github.com/simonw/llm)
> 
> [Ollama](https://ollama.com/)

## Level 1: Ad hoc prompt
- Quick, natural language prompts for rapid prototyping
- Perfect for exploring model capabilities and behaviors
- Can be run across multiple models for comparison
- Great for one-off tasks and experimentation

## Level 2: Structured prompt
- Reusable prompts with clear purpose and instructions
- Uses XML/structured format for better model performance
- Contains static variables that can be modified
- Solves well-defined, repeatable problems

## Level 3: Structured prompt with example output
- Builds on Level 2 by adding example outputs
- Examples guide the model to produce specific formats
- Increases consistency and reliability of outputs
- Perfect for when output format matters

## Level 4: Structured prompt with dynamic content
- Production-ready prompts with dynamic variables
- Can be integrated into code and applications
- Infinitely scalable through programmatic updates
- Foundation for building AI-powered tools and agents