# Best Practices > Source: https://parallelworks.com/docs/ai/best-practices # Best Practices This page covers recommended practices for getting the most out of AI Chat on the ACTIVATE platform. ## Writing Effective Prompts The quality of AI responses depends heavily on how you frame your requests. ### Be Specific Vague prompts produce vague answers. Include relevant details, constraints, and the desired format in your prompt. | Instead of | Try | |---|---| | "Explain Kubernetes" | "Explain how Kubernetes pod scheduling works, including the role of the scheduler and node affinity rules, in about 200 words." | | "Write a script" | "Write a Bash script that finds all CSV files in a directory and combines them into a single file with one header row." | ### Provide Context Give the model the background it needs to produce a useful response: - Describe the environment or system you are working with. - Mention relevant constraints (language, framework, version). - Reference earlier parts of the conversation if building on previous responses. ### Use System Messages If your provider supports system messages, use them to set the model's behavior for the entire conversation. For example, you can instruct the model to respond as a domain expert, use a particular coding style, or avoid certain topics. ### Iterate and Refine If the first response is not quite right, refine your prompt rather than starting from scratch. Add clarifications, ask for a different format, or request that the model focus on a specific aspect. ## Choosing the Right Model Different models have different strengths. Selecting the right model for your task improves both response quality and efficiency. ### Standard Models Standard models (such as GPT-4o, GPT-4o-mini) are best for: - General-purpose questions and conversation - Text summarization and generation - Code generation for straightforward tasks - Tasks where speed matters more than deep analysis ### Reasoning Models Reasoning models (such as o1, o3) are best for: - Complex math, logic, and multi-step problem-solving - Detailed code review and debugging - Architectural decisions that require evaluating tradeoffs - Tasks where accuracy is more important than speed See [Using Reasoning Models](/docs/ai/ai-chat/using-reasoning-models) for details on reasoning effort configuration. ### Cost Considerations Larger and more capable models consume more tokens and may have higher usage costs. When working on routine tasks, consider using a smaller or faster model to conserve resources. Reserve more powerful models for tasks that genuinely benefit from their capabilities. ## Working with File Attachments File attachments allow you to provide the model with additional context beyond what fits in a text prompt. ### Keep Documents Focused Rather than uploading a large document and asking a broad question, extract the relevant section or upload a smaller, targeted file. This helps the model focus on the content that matters and reduces token usage. ### Use the Right File Type - **Code files** -- Attach source code files directly for code review, debugging, or analysis tasks. - **Text and Markdown** -- Use plain text or Markdown for structured information, notes, or specifications. - **PDFs and documents** -- Upload reports, papers, or documentation that the model can reference when answering your questions. ### Be Aware of Size Limits Regular files have a maximum size of 25 MB, and documents have a maximum size of 100 MB. If a file exceeds these limits, split it into smaller parts or extract the relevant sections. See [Attaching Files](/docs/ai/ai-chat/attaching-files) for supported formats and detailed usage instructions. ## Collaboration Tips AI Chat's sharing and branching features support team workflows. ### Share with Appropriate Permissions - Use **View** permission for stakeholders who need to review the conversation without modifying it. - Use **Collaborate** permission for team members who need to actively contribute messages. - Share at the group level rather than managing individual access, so permissions stay current as team membership changes. See [Sharing Conversations](/docs/ai/ai-chat/sharing-conversations) for detailed instructions. ### Use Branching for Exploration When evaluating different approaches, create branches from the same message rather than cluttering a single thread. Each branch maintains its own context, allowing you to compare model responses to different prompts or explore alternative solutions side by side. See [Branching Conversations](/docs/ai/ai-chat/branching-conversations) for details. ### Document Decisions Use the conversation itself as a record of your analysis. When you reach a conclusion, summarize the decision in a follow-up message so that anyone reviewing the shared conversation can quickly understand the outcome. ## Security Considerations ### Sensitive Data Be mindful of the data you include in prompts and file attachments. Messages are sent to the configured AI provider endpoint, which may be hosted externally. - For sensitive or proprietary data, use a **session tunnel** provider that routes requests to a model running on your own compute infrastructure. See [Session Tunnels](/docs/ai/ai-chat-providers/session-tunnels). - Avoid including credentials, API keys, or personally identifiable information in prompts. ### API Key Management If you manage AI Chat providers, follow these practices for API key security: - **Rotate keys regularly** -- Update API keys in the provider configuration on a regular schedule. - **Use the minimum required permissions** -- Configure provider API keys with only the permissions needed for chat completions. - **Monitor usage** -- Review token usage and access patterns through your provider's dashboard to detect unexpected activity. ### Provider Permissions Limit provider access to the groups and users who need it. Review and audit provider permissions periodically to ensure that only authorized teams have access. See [Managing Provider Permissions](/docs/ai/ai-chat-providers/managing-permissions) for details. ## Related Documentation - [AI Chat Overview](/docs/ai/ai-chat) - Feature summary and capabilities - [Getting Started with AI Chat](/docs/ai/ai-chat/getting-started) - First-time setup walkthrough - [AI Chat Providers](/docs/ai/ai-chat-providers) - Provider configuration and management - [Troubleshooting](/docs/ai/ai-chat/troubleshooting) - Common issues and solutions