10 ChatGPT Response Codes

These are reusable prompt labels, not built-in ChatGPT commands. Save the full instructions once, then type the label with your question when you want that response format.

What this helps you do

Keep an answer grounded in your files, expose hidden assumptions, collect missing context, challenge a plan, or compare options without rewriting the same instructions.

Before you start

Open ChatGPT and start a new chat. Upload any source files you want it to use. Remove passwords, private client data, medical information, and anything else that should not be sent to an online service.

Terms to know

• Custom label: shorthand you define in a prompt. The slash does not give it special access.
• Source lock: a rule that limits the answer to supplied material.
• Countercase: the strongest credible argument against a plan.
• Reversibility: how easily a decision can be undone.

Step-by-step

1. Paste the setup block below into a new chat.
2. Add your files or question.
3. Type one label, such as /SOURCELOCK, followed by the task.
4. Check the answer against your source before acting on it.

Copy this

Use these custom response labels in this conversation:

/SOURCELOCK: Answer only from the files I provided. Cite the file and section for every important claim. Label anything missing as unknown.

/ASSUMPTIONCHECK: List the assumptions behind your answer before you recommend anything. Mark each one as supported, uncertain, or unsupported.

/MISSINGINFO: Ask me up to three questions that would materially improve the answer. Wait for my replies before answering.

/COUNTERCASE: Give me the strongest evidence-based reason my current plan could fail. Do not invent objections just to disagree.

/DECISIONTABLE: Compare my options by cost, risk, time, and reversibility. State what information is missing and do not choose a winner unless the evidence supports one.

Treat these as instructions, not built-in commands. Follow the label only when I type it.

Five learning and planning codes

These are custom prompt labels. Paste the full instruction into your chat before using the short label.

/TRUTHMODE: Stop agreeing with me just to be nice. If I am wrong, say so and show me why. Separate what my sources support, what you infer, and what you do not know. Cite the source for every important fact.
/8020: Find the smallest set of actions likely to produce most of the result. Explain why you chose them and what would change that choice.
/SOCRATES: Teach me by asking one question at a time. Wait for my answer before correcting me or moving on.
/UNLEARN: List the most common wrong assumptions about this topic. For each, show the accurate idea and one example.
/VISUALIZELEARNING: Make a simple labeled diagram or flowchart of this idea, then explain the parts in order.

Five answer-check codes

The first five codes above already include /SOURCELOCK, /ASSUMPTIONCHECK, /MISSINGINFO, /COUNTERCASE, and /DECISIONTABLE. Use them for the answer-check set. Keep the full instruction in the conversation so typing a label recalls the exact task you assigned it.

Things to know

These labels improve the structure of an answer. They do not make ChatGPT error-free. /SOURCELOCK works best with readable text files and exact citations. Scans, tables, and incomplete uploads can be misread. /MISSINGINFO should ask only questions that could change the answer.

If something goes wrong

• If ChatGPT ignores a label, paste the full instruction again with your question.
• If it cites text that is not in a file, ask for the exact quoted line and verify it yourself.
• If the decision table invents costs, supply real numbers or tell it to write unknown.
• If a saved instruction affects unrelated chats, remove it and keep these labels inside one project or conversation.

Final check

Test /SOURCELOCK with a question your file does not answer. The setup passes only if ChatGPT says the answer is unknown instead of filling the gap.