# Talk to AI like you’d talk to a friend

Say what you need, add a detail or two, and keep the conversation going. There’s no special wording to learn.

Evidence: source-verified | Updated: 2026-10-24 | Edition: codex

## Start with what’s on your mind

“I need a birthday message for my sister.”

“What can I cook with these ingredients?”

“Can you explain this word?”

A prompt is just the message you send. Start with the thing you want help with.

## Add the detail you’d tell a friend

If you asked a friend for dinner ideas, you’d probably mention that you only have half an hour. Tell the AI that too.

Instead of “Write a birthday message,” try: “Help me write a birthday message for my sister. We tease each other a lot, so make it funny but affectionate. Just a few lines.”

You can add that detail in your next message if you forgot it.

## Say when it doesn’t sound right

The first answer is something to work with. Reply the way you would in a conversation:

- “Make it more casual.”
- “Give me three different ideas.”
- “I still don’t get it. Can you use an example?”
- “Keep the first sentence, but change the ending.”

You can point to the bit you like and ask it to work on the rest.

## You can ask it where to start

Have a messy idea? Try: “I want to plan a birthday dinner, but I don’t know where to start. Ask me a few questions.”

Or say: “I’m new to this. Walk me through it one step at a time.”

You don’t need a template for every conversation. Explain what’s happening, see what comes back, and take it from there.

If you haven’t picked an app yet, [here are a few places to start](/codex/en/choose-your-first-ai/).

## References

- [ChatGPT: talking naturally and following up](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/use-chatgpt)
- [Claude: getting started](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/8114491-get-started-with-claude)