The CRAFT Framework
Context, Role, Action, Format, Tone
CRAFT is a balanced, general-purpose framework: enough structure to be reliable, not so much that it's heavy. You lead with Context, set the Role, give the Action, specify the Format, and pin the Tone. Many people treat CRAFT as their everyday default — it covers the five things that most often determine whether AI output lands.
Last updated · By the Prompt Orange team
Best for
A reliable general-purpose default for most everyday and professional prompts.
What each part means
CRAFT stands for Context, Role, Action, Format, Tone. Here's what to put in each slot.
Context
The situation and background the model needs before it can help.
Example: We're a small charity launching our first email newsletter.
Role
The persona and expertise the AI should adopt.
Example: Act as an experienced nonprofit communications lead.
Action
The concrete task to perform.
Example: Write the welcome email for new subscribers.
Format
The structure and length of the output.
Example: Around 150 words, with a short intro, three bullet points, and a sign-off.
Tone
The voice and emotional register the writing should carry.
Example: Warm, grateful, and plain-spoken — no corporate jargon.
The CRAFT template
Copy this, fill in the brackets, and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any AI tool.
Context: [Situation and background]. Role: Act as a [role/expertise]. Action: [The task to perform]. Format: [Structure and length]. Tone: [The voice the writing should carry].
Before & after: CRAFT in action
See how the framework turns a vague prompt into a strong one.
“Write a welcome email for our charity newsletter.”
Too vague—AI has to guess what you want
“Context: We're a small environmental charity launching our first newsletter; subscribers just signed up on our website. Role: Act as an experienced nonprofit communications lead. Action: Write the welcome email for new subscribers. Format: Around 150 words — a short intro, three bullets on what they'll receive, and a warm sign-off. Tone: Warm, grateful, and plain-spoken, with no corporate jargon.”
Specific, clear, ready to use
Why this works:
CRAFT covers the five levers that shape the result: the model knows the situation (Context), who's writing (Role), exactly what to produce (Action), how long and how structured (Format), and how it should feel (Tone). That's why the draft reads on-brand instead of like a generic template.
Tips for getting the most from CRAFT
CRAFT is a good default when you're not sure which framework fits — it covers most bases without being fussy.
Tone is the slot people forget; naming it ("warm", "authoritative", "playful") prevents flat, neutral output.
You can drop a slot if it genuinely doesn't apply — CRAFT is a checklist, not a straitjacket.
For tasks where audience and objective dominate (marketing, customer comms), CO-STAR may fit even better.