The library
Prompts to help someone you love try ChatGPT.
60 small questions. Each one is written for a first try: plain words, a real answer, and under two minutes.
Cooking
Dinners, leftovers, family recipes
- A dinner from what's already homeYou'll get one simple recipe with short steps, using chicken, rice, and a pepper.
- Make a recipe easierIt will ask you to paste a recipe, then hand it back in short steps.
- A list I can take to the storeYou'll get a short grocery list, grouped the way the store is laid out.
- Use it before it goes badYou'll get one way to use the chicken and rice tonight, and a check on whether it is still good.
- Write down the family recipeIt will ask one question at a time, then write the recipe down for you.
Gardening
Plants, watering, the weather
- Why are the leaves turning yellow?You'll get two likely reasons and one thing to try this week.
- What can I plant this month?It will ask where you live, then give you three things to plant this month.
- How often should I water this?You'll get a simple watering rule for a potted tomato, and a sign you are overdoing it.
- Something is eating the leavesYou'll get three things to look for and one gentle thing to try before any spray.
- Will frost hurt the garden tonight?It will ask how cold it will get, then tell you what to cover and what can stay out.
Health questions
Letters, labels, doctor visits
- Explain this letter in plain wordsIt will ask you to paste the letter, then explain who it is from and what you can ignore.
- Questions to take to the doctorYou'll get five questions you can read off your phone at the appointment.
- What does this label mean?It will ask for the label, then explain the words without telling you to change a dose.
- Help me describe what I feelIt will ask a few questions, then write a short note you can read to your doctor.
- What to bring to the clinicYou'll get a short checklist for the night before a clinic visit.
Travel
Outings, packing, getting there
- A gentle day, close to homeIt will ask your town, then suggest one easy outing with places to sit.
- What to pack for three daysYou'll get a packing list you can check off, grouped so you can lay it on the bed.
- The airport, in plain stepsYou'll get the airport as numbered steps, from the door to your seat.
- A visit that does not wear everyone outIt will ask the children's ages, then sketch a weekend with a rest built in.
- A short walk with places to sitYou'll get one flat, 20-minute walk, with a clear sign to stop.
Grandkids
Notes, stories, their world
- A birthday note in your wordsIt will ask the child's name and one thing you love about them, then give you three texts.
- A question to ask about their gameYou'll get five real questions to ask about their game.
- A story you can read tonightIt will ask the child's name, then write a two-minute story you can read aloud.
- A caption for the photoYou'll get three short captions after you say who is in the photo.
- Homework, without doing it for themYou'll get questions that help them think, plus a sentence for when you don't remember it either.
Money & budgeting
Bills, scams, simple numbers
- What is this charge?It will ask for the line and the amount, never your account number, then explain what it usually means.
- A simple picture of the weekIt will ask about a few ordinary expenses and add up the week. No bank login.
- Does this message look wrong?It will have you delete any links first, then point out the warning signs.
- What am I paying for every month?You'll read company names off a statement and get a keep, ask, or cancel sort.
- A gift that stays within the numberYou'll name a person and a budget, and get three ideas that stay under it.
Home repair
Leaks, noises, who to call
- The faucet will not stop drippingYou'll get a few safe checks, and a clear point where you call a plumber instead.
- A breaker flippedYou'll get calm steps for the panel, and a firm stop if it flips again or smells like burning.
- Change the furnace filterIt will ask where the filter is, then walk you through sliding a new one in.
- The fridge is making a noiseYou'll describe the sound in ordinary words and learn whether it can wait.
- Can I do this, or do I call?You'll describe the problem and get a straight answer: try it, try one step, or call someone.
Faith & reading
Verses, prayers, books
- A verse in everyday wordsYou'll get the verse in everyday words, a little context, and one question to sit with.
- A short reading for the weekYou'll get seven short readings, about ten minutes each, and room to miss a day.
- Help me find the wordsYou'll say what is on your heart and get a short prayer in simple language.
- I just read a chapterYou'll say what you remember, and get the main idea plus one question back.
- The story behind a hymnYou'll name a hymn and get a short story you could read before church.
Sports
The game, the rules, a walk
- Explain tonight's gameIt will ask the sport and the teams, then explain the game in a few plain sentences.
- The rules, for their sportYou'll get the point of the game, how scoring works, and five words you'll hear yelled.
- A walk for ordinary kneesYou'll get four easy walks, at a pace where you can still talk.
- Catch me up on my teamYou'll name a team and get a one-minute catch-up in a neighbor's voice.
- Snacks for the gameYou'll get a short grocery list and one thing you can make ahead.
Crafts
Projects, gifts, instructions
- Finish the project you startedYou'll say what is left, and get the next three steps, small enough for an hour.
- I dropped a stitchYou'll get short steps to pick the stitch up, and a moment to stop and ask a yarn shop.
- Start the photo albumYou'll start with ten photos, with a line to write under each, and a simple order.
- A handmade gift I can finishYou'll get one gift idea matched to the hours you have, plus a simpler version if time runs short.
- These instructions are fussyIt will ask you to paste the instructions, then rewrite them in plain steps.
History
Your street, your year, old photos
- The history of your streetYou'll name your street and get three stories you can picture, with a place to check.
- The year you were bornYou'll give the year and get a short portrait of it, like a letter.
- How old is this photo?You'll describe the photo and get a likely decade, plus the clues that point there.
- One good question for the museumYou'll get three curious questions, and permission to sit down.
- Read this old letter with meYou'll type the lines you can read, and get the old-fashioned phrases explained.
Tech help
The phone, Wi-Fi, video calls
- Find the Wi-Fi passwordIt will ask which phone you have, then give you one step at a time.
- Text a photo to the familyIt will go one step at a time, and wait until you say the step worked.
- Make the words biggerYou'll make the text bigger, one step at a time, and learn how to change it back.
- Start a video callIt will ask which kind of call, then walk you through, including how to hang up.
- Stop these emailsYou'll learn the safe unsubscribe, and when not to tap, especially for a bank or Medicare.