How to Prompt with CRAFT
Asking effective questions is key to unlocking the full power of Trunk Tools. That’s why we recommend using the CRAFT methodology — a simple but powerful framework for writing prompts that return more accurate, useful answers from your construction documentation.
Whether you're looking for a spec requirement, drafting an RFI response, or writing a field report, the CRAFT framework helps guide Trunk Tools to deliver the right information, in the right format, faster.
CRAFT Overview
CRAFT is an acronym that stands for:
Context – Where to look
Role – Who you are
Action – What to do
Format – How you want it
Tone – How it should sound
Each piece of the CRAFT framework strengthens your prompt. You can use just one, or all five, depending on the situation. Let’s review each component in detail below.
Context: Tell Trunk Tools where to look.
Adding context (ie., a spec section, drawing set, or document type) helps Trunk Tools narrow its search to the most relevant sources in your documentation.
Example Prompt:
“Per spec section 030000, what is the maximum concrete strength for the exterior slab on grade?”
PRO TIP:
Use filters in Trunk Tools to further focus the system on a specific source (e.g., submittals only) before entering your prompt.
Role: Clarify your perspective or job title.
Providing your role helps Trunk Tools write more accurate communications (emails, letters, agendas) with the right language and authority level.
Example Prompt:
“I’m a project manager. Draft an email to the design team listing all overdue RFIs.”
Trunk Tools will adjust the language and tone to match your role on the job.
Action: Define what the system should do.
Be explicit about the task — whether it's writing, locating, reviewing, summarizing, or generating something.
Examples:
“Draft an email…”
“Generate a table…”
“List all locations…”
“Summarize the response…”
PRO TIP:
Action is the most critical part of any prompt. If you skip this, Trunk Tools won’t know what outcome you want.
Format: Indicate how you want the result.
Trunk Tools supports multiple output formats. You just need to ask.
Example Prompt:
“List all open submittals in a table format.”
You can request:
Tables
Lists
Bullet points
Drafted communications
Full summaries
Tone: Specify the voice of the output.
This is particularly useful for written communication — whether you're drafting an email to a subcontractor or escalating an issue.
Example Prompt:
“Please use a tone of urgency.”
Tone options might include:
Brief
Urgent
Formal
Friendly
Informative
Prompt Examples Using CRAFT
Here’s an example that includes all five parts of CRAFT:
“I’m a project manager on this construction project. Using RFI 7, draft an email asking the design team to respond to all overdue RFIs. Please format it as a list and use a tone of urgency.”
Context: RFI 7
Role: Project Manager
Action: Draft an email
Format: List
Tone: Urgency
This kind of prompt works especially well for writing communication or pulling multi-part data from several documents.
PRO TIP:
Not every prompt needs all five elements — use only what’s helpful for your task.
More Examples
Prompt | Notes |
“What is the minimum compressive strength of the concrete at 28 days?” | ✅ Simple, but lacks context — could return broad results. |
“Per the specs, what is the minimum compressive strength of the exterior slab on grade at 28 days?” | 🔍 Better — provides context and narrows the question. |
“Draft a field report in a formal tone listing concrete delivery times for 8/3/2025.” | ✅ Uses action, format, and tone. |
Why Use CRAFT?
Speeds up your workflow
Improves precision
Reduces guesswork
Tailors output to your needs
Gets you better answers, faster
CRAFT works across the entire Trunk Tools platform — whether you’re using the web app, your mobile browser, or texting the Trunk Tools number.
Need Help?
If you're unsure how to structure your prompt or not getting the answer you expect, reach out to your Customer Success Manager. We're happy to help review your use of CRAFT and troubleshoot any issues.
You can also use the thumbs-down feedback icon after asking a question to signal a missed result — we actively review all flagged responses.
TIP: Feel free to download and print the poster below for your job site trailer as a reminder of prompting best practices
