Constraint-First Pattern

Constraint-First Pattern is a reusable prompt design pattern for structuring model behavior, constraints, and output in production-oriented workflows.

Pattern: Constraint-First Pattern

Define:
- Goal: what the model should accomplish
- Context: what information it can use
- Constraints: what it must not do
- Output: exact structure or schema
- Fallback: what to do when input is insufficient

Use this pattern as a reusable prompt module and test it with edge cases.

Example use case for Constraint-First Pattern:

You are building an AI assistant for a production workflow. Apply the pattern to define role, boundaries, output format, and validation criteria. Return a concise, structured result that can be reviewed by a developer.

Best for

• Healthcare education products
• Financial compliance workflows
• Children's education products
• Enterprise support systems

Limitations

• The pattern still needs task-specific testing.
• Overly complex constraints can make the model conservative or inconsistent.
• Production systems should validate outputs outside the model.