These are prompt skeletons, not one-off examples. Each is tested structure with [BRACKET] placeholders you replace. Copy a template, swap the brackets for your specifics, delete the ones you do not need, and send. The wording around the brackets is the part that makes Mistral behave — keep it.
Every template follows the same backbone: [Role] + [Task] + [Context] + [Constraints] + [Output format], with the structured-output ones adding an exact schema and a fallback. For a shorter reference, pair this with the Mistral prompt cheat sheet, and see the full best Mistral prompts roundup for finished, non-template versions.
How to use these templates
Replace each [BRACKET] with a real value before sending — do not leave literal brackets, or Mistral will stop and ask what you meant. Three rules keep the results sharp:
- Fill or cut. If a bracket does not apply, delete the whole phrase, not just the bracket.
- Pick the mode. Turn on Work mode for multi-step tasks, web search for facts, and the code interpreter for real computation.
- Lock the output. The [OUTPUT FORMAT] bracket is the highest-leverage one. Be specific: "a markdown table," "300 words," "valid JSON only."
Work & email
Give Mistral the situation, the outcome, and a word cap. Connect Gmail or Calendar so it works from real context. More in the business pack.
1. Email drafter
Draft a [EMAIL / MESSAGE] from me ([MY ROLE]) to [RECIPIENT] about [PURPOSE]. Key points to land: [POINTS]. Desired outcome: [OUTCOME]. Tone: [TONE]. Keep it under [LENGTH] and end with one clear ask. Output: subject line plus body, ready to send, and one slightly [warmer / firmer] alternative.Swap: [EMAIL / MESSAGE], [MY ROLE], [RECIPIENT], [PURPOSE], [POINTS], [OUTCOME], [TONE], [LENGTH].
2. Meeting notes to actions
Turn this [TRANSCRIPT / NOTES] into structured meeting notes: [PASTE]. Output three sections: Decisions made, Action items (a table with Owner, Task, Due date), and Open questions. Do not invent details, flag anything unresolved, and add a two-line recap email I can send to attendees.Swap: [TRANSCRIPT / NOTES], [PASTE].
3. Decision brief
You are a [ROLE, e.g. strategy advisor] for a [COMPANY TYPE]. We are deciding whether to [DECISION]. Context: [KEY FACTS AND CONSTRAINTS]. Use Work mode to reason it through. Lay out the options, the main trade-offs, the biggest risk, and what you would do and why. Assume a [TIME/BUDGET] constraint. Output: a one-page brief — recommendation, rationale, risks, next step.Swap: [ROLE], [COMPANY TYPE], [DECISION], [KEY FACTS], [TIME/BUDGET].
Writing & content
Set the role, audience, and format so Mistral writes in the right register. Draft long pieces in Canvas to edit in place. See the writing pack.
4. Article or blog post
You are a [TYPE] writer for [AUDIENCE]. Write a [LENGTH]-word [FORMAT, e.g. how-to article] on [TOPIC]. Angle: [SPECIFIC TAKE]. Tone: [TONE]. Lead each section with the takeaway, use short paragraphs and one example per section, and avoid [BANNED WORDS/CLICHES]. Draft it in Canvas. Output: the finished piece with H2 subheadings, no preamble.Swap: [TYPE], [AUDIENCE], [LENGTH], [FORMAT], [TOPIC], [SPECIFIC TAKE], [TONE], banned words.
5. Social post or thread
Write [NUMBER] [PLATFORM] posts about [TOPIC] for [AUDIENCE]. Goal: [GOAL, e.g. drive signups / spark replies]. Voice: [VOICE]. Each post must stand alone, lead with a hook, and stay under [CHARACTER LIMIT]. No hashtag spam. Output: numbered posts, each ready to paste, with the strongest one marked.Swap: [NUMBER], [PLATFORM], [TOPIC], [AUDIENCE], [GOAL], [VOICE], [CHARACTER LIMIT].
6. Rewrite & tighten
Rewrite the text below to be [GOAL, e.g. clearer / shorter / more persuasive] for [AUDIENCE]. Keep every fact, cut filler, and match a [TONE] tone. Target [LENGTH]. Do not add new claims.
[PASTE TEXT]
Output: the rewrite, then one line on what you changed and why.Swap: [GOAL], [AUDIENCE], [TONE], [LENGTH], [PASTE TEXT].
Coding
Give Mistral the language, the goal, and the constraints, then demand runnable output. For finished dev prompts, see the coding pack.
7. Build a function or component
You are a senior [LANGUAGE] engineer. Write a [FUNCTION / COMPONENT] that [WHAT IT DOES]. Inputs: [INPUTS]. Output: [EXPECTED OUTPUT]. Constraints: [e.g. no external deps, handle empty input, O(n) time]. Include comments only where non-obvious and [NUMBER] unit tests covering edge cases. Output: one code block, then a two-line usage example.Swap: [LANGUAGE], [FUNCTION / COMPONENT], [WHAT IT DOES], [INPUTS], [EXPECTED OUTPUT], constraints, [NUMBER].
8. Debug & explain
Think step by step. Here is [LANGUAGE] code that should [INTENDED BEHAVIOR] but instead [ACTUAL BEHAVIOR / ERROR]:
[PASTE CODE]
Find the root cause, explain why it happens in plain terms, and give the corrected code. List any other bugs you spot. Output: root cause, fixed code block, then a bullet list of remaining risks.Swap: [LANGUAGE], [INTENDED BEHAVIOR], [ACTUAL BEHAVIOR / ERROR], [PASTE CODE].
9. Refactor to a standard
Refactor this [LANGUAGE] code to be [GOAL, e.g. more readable / faster / idiomatic] while keeping behavior identical. Follow [STYLE OR PATTERN, e.g. PEP 8, our naming convention]. Do not change the public interface or add dependencies. Explain each change in one line.
[PASTE CODE]
Output: the refactored code block, then a short changelog.Swap: [LANGUAGE], [GOAL], [STYLE OR PATTERN], [PASTE CODE].
Research & data
Turn on web search for facts and the code interpreter for numbers. Always keep the "cite every source" line.
10. Grounded question with sources
You are a [DOMAIN] research analyst. Search the web and answer: [QUESTION]. Pull from at least [NUMBER] independent, recent sources and cite every one with a link and date. Distinguish established facts from contested claims. Output: a direct answer first, then supporting evidence, then a "confidence and gaps" note.Swap: [DOMAIN], [QUESTION], [NUMBER].
11. Compare options
Search the web and compare [OPTION A] vs [OPTION B] vs [OPTION C] for [USE CASE / BUYER]. Evaluate on [CRITERIA, e.g. price, features, support, lock-in]. Cite current pricing and specs with links and dates. Recommend one and explain the trade-off. Output: a comparison table, then a one-paragraph recommendation for [BUDGET / CONSTRAINT].Swap: [OPTION A/B/C], [USE CASE / BUYER], [CRITERIA], [BUDGET / CONSTRAINT].
12. Analyze data
Using the code interpreter, analyze the attached [DATA / FILE] for [AUDIENCE]. Answer: [SPECIFIC QUESTIONS]. Pull out the [NUMBER] most important findings, quantify where possible, and flag any data-quality issue (missing values, outliers, duplicates). No speculation beyond the data. Output: headline finding, key numbers, then a short "so what" for [AUDIENCE].Swap: [DATA / FILE], [AUDIENCE], [SPECIFIC QUESTIONS], [NUMBER].
Multilingual
Mistral's edge. Tell it to localize, name the register, and ask for an English gloss to check the result. See the multilingual pack.
13. Localize (not translate)
Translate the text below from [SOURCE LANGUAGE] into [TARGET LANGUAGE] for a [AUDIENCE / REGION]. Localize idioms, units, currency, and tone so it reads natively — do not translate word-for-word. Keep names and product terms exact. Register: [formal / informal]. Output: the translation, then a short note on any choice you made. Text: [PASTE TEXT]Swap: [SOURCE LANGUAGE], [TARGET LANGUAGE], [AUDIENCE / REGION], register, [PASTE TEXT].
14. Native business email
Write a [formal business email] in [LANGUAGE] from [MY ROLE] to [RECIPIENT] about [PURPOSE]. Match the professional register and courtesy conventions native to [COUNTRY], not a translated English tone. Keep it under [LENGTH], end with one clear ask, and add an English gloss below so I can check it.Swap: [LANGUAGE], [MY ROLE], [RECIPIENT], [PURPOSE], [COUNTRY], [LENGTH].
15. Language tutor
Be my [LANGUAGE] tutor at a [LEVEL] level. Have a natural conversation about [TOPIC]. Keep your replies short, and after each of my messages, correct my mistakes in a separate line (what I wrote, the fix, a one-line reason). Stay in [LANGUAGE] but explain corrections in English. Start now.Swap: [LANGUAGE], [LEVEL], [TOPIC].
Structured output & agents
For anything a program will read. Keep the "JSON only" rule and the fallback. Full pattern in the structured output guide.
16. Extract to JSON
You are an extraction function. From the text, return valid JSON only — no prose, no fences — using exactly this schema: {[KEY1]: [TYPE], [KEY2]: [TYPE], [KEY3]: [TYPE]}. Use null for any missing field, do not invent values, and if the text is empty return {}. Text: [PASTE TEXT]Swap: [KEY1/KEY2/KEY3] and their [TYPE]s, [PASTE TEXT].
17. Classify items
You are a classifier. For each input, return valid JSON only matching: {"category": one of [LIST CATEGORIES], "priority": one of ["low","medium","high"], "summary": string (max 15 words)}. No prose, no fences. If an input is empty, return {"category":"other","priority":"low","summary":"empty input"}. Inputs: [PASTE ITEMS]Swap: [LIST CATEGORIES], [PASTE ITEMS].
18. Build a no-code agent
Help me build a reusable agent in Le Chat's Agent Builder that [WHAT IT DOES]. Write: the agent's system instructions, the inputs it expects, the tools it needs ([web search / code / connectors]), the output format, and [NUMBER] test inputs with expected output. Keep the instructions specific enough that it behaves the same every run.Swap: [WHAT IT DOES], tools, [NUMBER].
For more finished prompts and the reasoning behind each one, browse the best Mistral prompts roundup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Mistral prompt template?
A prompt template is a reusable skeleton with [BRACKET] placeholders. You keep the tested structure — role, task, context, constraints, and output format — and swap only the brackets for your specifics. It turns a one-off prompt into something you can run every day.
How do I use the [brackets] in these templates?
Copy the template, then replace each [BRACKET] with your real value. Delete brackets you do not need and keep the surrounding wording. Do not leave literal brackets in the final prompt, or Mistral will treat them as placeholders to ask about.
Which templates should I run in Work mode?
Use Work mode for the multi-step ones — research, long document drafting, decision briefs, and anything that benefits from planning before answering. It routes to Mistral Medium 3.5 with extended reasoning. Quick, single-shot templates run fine in the default mode.
How do I get reliable JSON from the structured templates?
Keep the "return valid JSON only — no prose, no fences" line and the fallback for empty input, and fill the schema with exact keys and types. In the API, also enable JSON mode. See the structured output guide for the full pattern.
Do these work on the free tier of Le Chat?
Most do. Le Chat offers web search, Canvas, the code interpreter, image generation, and the Agent Builder broadly, plus Work mode for multi-step tasks. Heavier usage and enterprise connectors sit on paid plans, but the template structure is identical on every tier.
What is the standard formula behind these templates?
[Role] + [Task] + [Context] + [Constraints] + [Output format]. Structured-output templates add an exact schema, an output rule that forbids prose, and a fallback for empty input. Keep the wording around the brackets — it is what makes Mistral behave.
Can I chain these templates together?
Yes. A common chain is a research template to gather sourced facts, then a writing template that references those findings, then a structured-output template to turn the result into JSON for a tool. Keep each step in the same conversation so Mistral holds the context.