Official guide · Anthropic
Separate instructions, context, and examples so they do not compete
Use clear sections for instructions, background, examples, and the requested output when a task contains long material or multiple constraints.
Original source
Prompting best practices: structure prompts with XML tags
Anthropic · Official guide · checked 2026-07-15
What the source is saying
Anthropic documents XML tags as a way to improve clarity and structure in complex prompts.
Try it in your work
Open the linked pattern for a reusable template, variables to change, and an example output shape.
Open the practical pattern →Keep in mind
Tags do not fix unclear instructions. The sections still need useful content and a concrete task.