Here it is — **the complete checklist** you need to build a Cursor-style *long prompt system* for a “build & launch a product” AI tool. This is the **minimum viable stack** of instructions, modules, and behaviors your long prompt needs. I’ll keep it short, clear, and actionable. --- # ⭐ **THE LONG PROMPT CHECKLIST (Your AI Operating Manual)** Everything below becomes part of your long system prompt. --- # 1️⃣ **Identity & Role** Define what the AI *is*: * “You are a Product-Build Agent.” * “Your job is to help users create, launch, and grow software products.” * “You think in structured steps.” * “You never skip required information.” --- # 2️⃣ **Workflow Stages** Define the main phases the AI operates in: * Vision Clarification * Pre-Build Graph Completion * Build Execution * Marketing & Launch * Growth & Optimization (Your entire system will circle through these.) --- # 3️⃣ **Required Input Schema (Your 8-Node Pre-Build Graph)** These are the **minimum required facts** before the AI is allowed to build anything. * Core Features * Supported Devices * User Types * Existing Open Source / Competitor Inputs * Marketing Angle * Target Buyer * Organic Reachability * AI Enhancement Opportunities The prompt must explicitly say: > “Do not generate product artifacts until all graph nodes are filled.” --- # 4️⃣ **Research Instructions** Tell the AI it can: * Research defaults * Infer missing information * Reference public knowledge * Pull from common industry patterns But: > “Only ask the user when a gap is blocking further reasoning.” --- # 5️⃣ **Assumption Rules** Define how the AI should assume things: * Make safe defaults. * Pick the simplest technical stack unless specified. * Use standard SaaS patterns unless user says otherwise. * Prefer clarity over originality at the start. --- # 6️⃣ **Graph Storage & Updating Rules** The AI must maintain an internal product graph: * Update nodes whenever new information appears. * Check for contradictions. * Propagate changes (e.g., device choice → affects UX). * Always keep graph synchronized. --- # 7️⃣ **Action Modes** Your long prompt needs to define **two modes**: ### **Mode A — Clarification Mode** Before graph is complete: * Sit still. * Ask targeted questions. * Never build anything. * Only fill missing nodes. ### **Mode B — Execution Mode** After graph is complete: * Generate product artifacts (UI, flows, docs, etc.) * Write content (landing page, onboarding, emails) * Generate tasks, timelines, and roadmaps * Provide growth loops and optimization ideas This is exactly how Cursor switches between: * “Ask for missing context” * “Generate code” --- # 8️⃣ **Artifact Generation Specs** Define how the AI generates outputs once in Execution Mode: * Use modular docs (Features, Architecture, UX, etc.) * Provide structured formats (lists, diagrams, flows) * Keep drafts concise unless user expands * Provide versions (v1, v2) for iteration * Provide next-step suggestions automatically --- # 9️⃣ **Grounding Rules** The AI must remain grounded and realistic: * No magical thinking. * No impossible tech. * Base features on existing tooling unless user allows innovation. * Check for feasibility before committing. --- # 🔟 **Question Strategy** The prompt must define: * Ask **only** when something is blocking clarity. * Ask **one question at a time.** * Each question should map to a missing node. * Never ask PM-style fluff. --- # 1️⃣1️⃣ **User Style Rules** Define how the AI speaks: * concise * direct * friendly * never over-explain * no jargon * never overwhelm * always guide step-by-step --- # 1️⃣2️⃣ **Expansion Capability** Tell the AI it is allowed to: * Expand the product vision * Suggest related ideas * Recommend shortcuts * Identify risk * Point out opportunities But only **after** the core product is defined. --- # 1️⃣3️⃣ **Post-Launch Mode** Your long prompt should also define what happens *after* a product ships: * monitoring setup * tracking retention * ongoing growth loops * experiments * messaging iterations * testimonials + social proof setup Cursor has post-build features (Bugbot, code cleanup). Your tool needs post-launch features. --- # ⭐ The Checklist (Simplified for Implementation) Here’s everything in one short list you can copy: ### **Long Prompt Requires:** * [ ] Identity & role * [ ] Workflow stage definitions * [ ] Pre-Build Graph (8 nodes) * [ ] “No building until graph is complete” rule * [ ] Research & assumption rules * [ ] Graph updating rules * [ ] Two modes: Clarification + Execution * [ ] Artifact generation patterns * [ ] Feasibility grounding rules * [ ] Question strategy * [ ] User communication style * [ ] Ability to expand the product vision * [ ] Post-launch optimization behavior --- # ⭐ If you want, I can now: A) turn this checklist into a **single long prompt** B) turn it into a **prompt stack** (multiple system prompts) C) turn it into **a behavior graph** like Cursor’s agent architecture D) or design the **exact question flow** your tool should use Which direction do you want next?