Increase output consistency (JSON mode)

Here's how to make Claude's responses more consistent:

Specify the desired output format

Precisely define your desired output format using JSON, XML, or custom templates so that Claude understands every output formatting element you require.

Prefill Claude's response

Prefill the Assistant turn with your desired format. This trick bypasses Claude's friendly preamble and enforces your structure.

Constrain with examples

Provide examples of your desired output. This trains Claude's understanding better than abstract instructions.

Use retrieval for contextual consistency

For tasks requiring consistent context (e.g., chatbots, knowledge bases), use retrieval to ground Claude's responses in a fixed information set.

Chain prompts for complex tasks

Break down complex tasks into smaller, consistent subtasks. Each subtask gets Claude's full attention, reducing inconsistency errors across scaled workflows.