The TCREI Framework is a five-step prompting system—Task, Context, Rules, Example, and Iteration—designed to get consistent, high-quality results from a Large Language Model (LLM).
The TCREI Framework is a repeatable workflow developed by the Canadian AI Guy to structure prompts effectively. It moves beyond simple, single-shot questions and transforms your interaction with AI into a strategic process. By systematically providing the AI with all the necessary components for success, you minimize the chance of getting generic or irrelevant outputs. Each element of the framework builds upon the last, creating a comprehensive and clear set of instructions that the AI can execute with precision.
This structured approach ensures that you, the user, have thought through the critical aspects of your request before you even start writing the prompt. It’s a method for clarifying your own objective while simultaneously giving the AI a detailed blueprint to follow, dramatically increasing the reliability and quality of its responses.
A Simple Analogy
Think of it this way: hiring a contractor to build a deck. If you just say “build me a deck,” you’re rolling the dice, eh? You might get something completely different from what you pictured. But if you give them a proper plan—the Task (build a 10×12 deck), the Context (it’s for entertaining, so it needs built-in seating), the Rules (use cedar and comply with local bylaws), and an Example (a photo of a deck you like)—you’re going to get exactly what you want. The Iteration is just checking in to make sure the work is on track and making small adjustments. TCREI is that project plan for your AI.
Why It Matters for Your Business
As a small business owner, you can’t afford to waste time on rework. The TCREI Framework is your insurance policy against useless AI outputs. It provides a simple checklist that turns prompting from a frustrating guessing game into a predictable, time-saving system.
Whether you’re drafting a marketing email, creating a social media calendar, or developing a new customer service policy, using this framework forces a level of clarity that guarantees a better first draft from the AI. It allows you to delegate tasks to your AI assistant with the confidence that the job will be done right, reflecting your specific business context and brand voice. This means less time editing and more time focusing on growing your business.
Example: Using the TCREI Framework
Let’s use TCREI to create a response to a negative customer review.
- Task: “Draft a professional and empathetic response to a negative customer review.”
- Context: “A customer, John, left a 1-star review on Google. He was upset because his order was delayed by three days. He’s a long-time customer. Our business prides itself on excellent service, and this delay was due to a shipping carrier issue.”
- Rules: “Do not make excuses or blame the shipper directly. Acknowledge the frustration. Apologize sincerely. Offer a 15% discount on his next purchase as a gesture of goodwill. The tone should be helpful and professional, not defensive. Keep the response under 150 words.”
- Example: “Here’s a response I liked from another situation: ‘Hi [Customer Name], thank you for your feedback. We’re so sorry to hear about your experience and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention…'”
- Iteration: After the AI generates a draft, you might ask: “That’s good, but can you make the opening line a little more personal and less formal?”
Key Takeaways
- A Five-Step System: TCREI stands for Task, Context, Rules, Example, and Iteration.
- Clarity is Key: The framework forces you to clarify your objective before you prompt.
- Reduces Generic Outputs: Providing deep context and clear rules prevents the AI from guessing.
- Creates Consistency: It’s a repeatable process for getting reliable results every time.
- Saves You Time: Better prompts mean better first drafts, which means less editing.
Go Deeper
- Start with the Basics: Understand the foundation of TCREI with our simple guide on what is a prompt.
- Make it Persistent: Learn how to save your “Rules” and “Context” so you don’t have to repeat yourself with Custom Instructions.
- Build Your Own Assistant: See how you can use frameworks like TCREI to create a specialized GPT for your business.