Maximizing Productivity with ChatGPT Macros: Tips and Best Practices

Are you tired of constantly repeating yourself when interacting with ChatGPT?

Do you feel like your interactions with ChatGPT are bogged down by the need to repeat yourself constantly? If so, read on. While ChatGPT doesn't have built-in macros, you can use a "priming prompt" (covered in the last two posts here and here) to define custom repetitive commands for ChatGPT to execute.?

Why does this matter? You can save time by effortlessly re-using common prompts that work well, streamlining your interactions with the ChawtGPT so YOU can get more done faster!??

Creating ChatGPT Macros

Creating ChatGPT macros is a simple and straightforward process. All you need is a basic understanding of the ChatGPT interface and some creativity. To create a macro, you'll need to use a "priming prompt," which is a specific chunk of text you input at the very beginning of your session with ChatGPT. It will include sections of text that will define your macros. This priming prompt serves as the initial instruction set provided to ChatGPT, and the macros you defined are stored in the form of a short name and a series of command steps for ChatGPT to follow.

For example, consider the following ChatGPT macro:

Do your best to understand and be prepared to execute these Macros {

  Improvetext or 'IT: {
??????????? 1. Enter brief mode. 'You output only your recommendations

??????????? 2. Examine the text below
?????????? ?
??????????? 3. Discern specific and focused improvements
?????????? ?
??????????? 4. Formatted as a Markdown table output each improvement the columns are (0) Change Number (1) Original text (2) Recommended Change (3) (Change Category) Reason for change
??????????? 4a. If possible highlight which words have changed or stayed the same using Markdown formatting. Only include noted improvements, do not include instances where no change is recommended.
?????????? ?
??????????? 5. Briefly ask for further guidance, you can ask variants of "Which suggestion would you like me to make? Or is there something you want to change about a recommendation? Tell me all to make ALL of the recommended changes."
?????????? ?
??????????? 6. Implement the guidance as requested
?????????? ?
??????????? 7. Loop back to step 3, repeat until the user types 'E or 'Exit

??????? }
    }        

This macro would be triggered by typing ‘Twitterator at the ChatpGPT prompt after you have provided the text of your priming prompt, and it would execute the actions defined in the macro to create a thread of tweets. NOTE: wrap your macros inside a Macros { } clause to indicate to ChatGPT that you are providing it with macros, otherwise it will get confused.?

How do I define and build Macros?

There are a few key steps to creating an effective ChatGPT macro:

1. Determine the purpose of your macro. What do you want ChatGPT to do when the macro is triggered? Do you want it to provide information, perform a task, or both?
2. Name your macro something easy to remember and type.?
3. Imagine the actions ChatGPT should take when the macro is triggered. This might include providing information, executing a task, or both. Write these out in plain English.?
4. Rewrite the steps as you would want ChatGPT to execute them; imagine you were describing the steps to a person who was very smart but very literal in how they interpreted what you wanted them to do.?
5. Experiment and update the commands. Succinctly and clearly describe what you want to happen at each atomic step. Ask ChatGPT how to improve the steps so it can understand them better.?

With these steps in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating effective and efficient ChatGPT macros that streamline your interactions with the chatbot. Note that ChatGPT is being updated by OpenAI on a nearly daily basis, so your macros may need to be revised and their behavior may change over time.?

What are the benefits of using ChatGPT Macros?

One key benefit of using ChatGPT macros is that they allow you to automate repetitive tasks, freeing up your time and mental energy to focus on more important tasks.?

For example, you might create a macro that is triggered by the command “‘DW’ - this command could then expand to a set of steps to provide a detailed word definition, along with any other facts you may desire about the word, so that when you type this command into ChatGPT, it will execute the actions that you have defined in the macro, such as providing a definition and pronunciation of the inputted word. ‘DW might look like the following text in your priming prompt:

'DW : {
??????????? 1. Enter brief mode. 'You will only output a useful information about the word given
?????????? ?
??????????? 2. Ingest the word given after 'DW
?????????? ?
??????????? 3. Concisely define this word, provide examples of its use, its etymology, history, use by famous authors, or other interesting facts I might find useful as an author
?????????? ?
??????????? 4. Format your output using Markdown, use bold, italics, tables, lists, bullets, etc to ensure your output is readable and easy to understand
?????????? ?
??????????? 5. Before emitting your output review it for usability, readability, and helpfulness. Update it as needed, then give me the results

}        

Another benefit of ChatGPT macros is that they can help you to be more effective in your interactions with ChatGPT. By defining specific commands and actions for subsequent execution, you can eliminate the need for unnecessary back-and-forth interactions and get straight to the information or task that you need. For example, you might create a macro triggered by the command “ ‘Summarize this: <your text> ”. When you type this command into ChatGPT, it will execute the actions you have defined in the macro, such as generating a summary of a given article or written work. A key insight here is that you can customize the summary by asking for specific types of information you want to be highlighted. This is very powerful.?

It's important to note that ChatGPT is only capable of accessing information it has been trained on. What it can do is limited, but within these constraints, you can still do a heck of a lot.?

Here are some examples of macros you could build and may find useful to execute regularly:

1. Summarize: Allows users to ask the Assistant to summarize a long text or document into a shorter, more concise form.
2. Translate: Allows users to ask the Assistant to translate a piece of text or a document from one language to another.
3. Research: Allows users to ask the Assistant to research a specific topic or question and provide relevant and reliable information on the subject.
4. Check: Allows users to ask the Assistant to check a document or text for errors, such as spelling mistakes, grammar errors, or formatting issues.
5. Respond: Allows users to ask the Assistant to write a response to a specific prompt or question.

With these examples in mind, you can get a sense of the types of tasks that ChatGPT is well-suited for and the types of macros that you might find useful. For each Macro you will want to personalize it with steps and specific instructions so ChatGPT does what you want and how you want it.?

What would help you be more effective or streamline your work? Let me know in the comments :-)