Hi, it's Ivo. Same question, five code words, five different answers. Here are the five I used, the exact prompt to copy for each, and when each one helps.
First, the honest part
- These are not hidden features. There's no secret menu in ChatGPT. A code word is an ordinary instruction at the start of your message. ChatGPT reads it like any other words. OpenAI's own prompting guide says it plainly: tell ChatGPT how you want the response to sound and look.
- ELI5 comes from Reddit. It means "explain like I'm five", from the r/explainlikeimfive community, around since 2011.
- Start a new chat for each one. In an old chat, ChatGPT remembers what it already said and the answers blend together.
- It can still be wrong. A simpler or shorter answer is not a more correct one. Check anything you're going to act on.
How to use them
- Open a new chat.
- Put one code word in front of your question, then a colon.
- Compare it with the plain answer to the same question.
Replace [your question] with your own question.
1. ELI5
When: a new topic and you have no background yet.
Copy this:
ELI5: [your question]
Want more control? Paste this instead:
Explain [topic] like I'm five. Use one everyday example and no jargon.
2. TL;DR
When: no time, you only need the gist.
Copy this:
TL;DR: [your question]
Want more control? Paste this instead:
Answer [your question] in 2 sentences at most.
3. 80/20
When: you're learning fast and want the few ideas that matter most.
Copy this:
80/20: [your question]
Want more control? Paste this instead:
What's the 20% of [topic] that gives me 80% of the understanding? Give me 3 points.
4. QUIZ ME
When: you've read about something and want to check it stuck.
Copy this:
QUIZ ME: [your question]
Want more control? Paste this instead:
Quiz me on [topic]. Ask one question at a time, wait for my answer, then tell me what I got wrong.
5. DEVIL'S ADVOCATE
When: before you decide, trust or buy something.
Copy this:
DEVIL'S ADVOCATE: [your question]
Want more control? Paste this instead:
Play devil's advocate on [idea]. Give me the 3 strongest reasons it might be wrong for me.
When to use each one
| Code word | Use it when |
|---|---|
| ELI5 | a new topic, no background yet |
| TL;DR | no time, you only need the gist |
| 80/20 | learning fast, the few ideas that matter most |
| QUIZ ME | checking that it stuck |
| DEVIL'S ADVOCATE | before you decide, the case against it |
How to write your own code word
The five above aren't magic. Any short instruction works the same way. Say who it's for, what shape you want, and how long. A few I'd try:
Explain it like I'm new to this, in 5 bullet points.Give me a step-by-step for a complete beginner.Put it in a table: what it is, an example, the risk.
Pick one, try it on a question you actually have this week, and see which answer you'd keep.
Ivo