A company is developing a customer service chatbot and wants the response to be limited...

This scenario describes the application ofConstraintswithin a prompt. Constraints are the specific boundaries, limitations, or "rules" that the AI must follow when generating a response. In this instance, the constraint is the character limit. Because the chatbot operates via text (likely SMS or a narrow chat window), long-form responses would be technically or practically problematic. By setting a character limit, the prompt engineer is forcing the AI to prioritize brevity and essential information.

Constraints are vital in professional AI applications to ensure that the output is "fit for purpose." They go beyond the general "Output format" (which might just specify "a list" or "an email") by providing hard logical or physical parameters. Other common constraints include "do not use jargon," "avoid mentioning competitors," or "write at a fifth-grade reading level." In the development of customer service bots, constraints help maintain a consistent user experience and ensure that the AI's behavior aligns with the technical requirements of the platform. Managing constraints effectively is one of the most important skills in prompt engineering, as it prevents the AI from becoming too wordy (verbosity) or wandering off-topic.