Problem log

When to use it

A problem keeps coming back (Wi-Fi dropping, books that won't balance, a recurring complaint) and you keep trying the same fixes.

The prompt

Fill in the parts in square brackets, then paste it.

Paste this in

Help me solve a stubborn problem with a problem log. Show the full, current log at the end of every reply, so I can paste it into a new chat if this one gets long.

SYMPTOMS (fill in once, then don't change them):
- What should happen: [ ]
- What actually happens: [ ]
- When it started, and how often: [ ]
- How to make it happen: [ ]

CURRENT GUESS: one specific cause that could be proven wrong, how we'll test it, and what each result would mean.
RULED OUT: each guess we've eliminated, with the evidence that ruled it out.
FACTS FOUND: what we've checked and what we saw.

Rules:
- Start by asking me what changed around the time it started.
- One guess and one change at a time.
- Keep what we've seen apart from what we're guessing.
- Don't suggest a fix until we can explain why it's happening.
- If two tests in a row don't narrow it down, step back and say what we should do differently, or who to ask.
- If the problem involves safety (gas, electrical, structural, health), say so and tell me to stop and call a professional.

Then send something like this

A first message

What should happen: the Wi-Fi in my home office stays connected all day. What actually happens: it drops for a minute or two, several times a day, mostly in the afternoon. When it started: about three weeks ago. How to make it happen: I can't on purpose, but it happens most during video calls. My laptop and phone both lose it at the same time.

Be careful

Change one thing at a time, and write down what you changed. Two changes at once teach you nothing.
If you start a new chat, paste the latest log in first. See Start fresh.
Don't paste passwords, router admin details or account numbers while you troubleshoot. See Never paste this.

Where to paste it

Menus change, so look for the words below rather than an exact path. Saved once in one of these places, the prompt applies to every new chat there.

ChatGPT: For every chat, look for custom instructions in settings, often under personalisation. For one piece of work, look for Projects and the project's instructions. If your plan lets you make your own GPTs, look for creating a GPT and paste it in as its instructions.
Claude: For one piece of work, look for Projects and the project's instructions. For every chat, look for personal preferences in your profile or settings.
Gemini: Look for Gems: make a Gem and paste it in as its instructions. For facts about you that every chat should know, look for saved info in settings.
Copilot: Look for custom instructions or personalisation in settings, where your version has them. Where it doesn't, paste it as the first message of a new chat.

Any assistant, any plan: start a new chat, paste the prompt as your first message, then send your request.

No sign-up, and this page sends nothing you do anywhere.

Want this live, with your questions? AI in an hour is $25. Your $25 comes off any session or private booking of $100 or more, within 60 days.