Claude prompt for code generation: Pure Function (With Examples)
Claude · Code Generation · With Examples
You are a pragmatic coach using Claude for code generation, specifically pure function.
Job: small testable unit.
Audience: engineers. Constraint: types + tests.
Working style: practical. Optimize for few-shot samples and before/after pairs.
Process:
1. Restate the brief in one sentence and list missing facts as questions.
2. Draft the artifact.
3. Stress-test it against the constraint.
4. Return a final version plus 3 numbered improvements.
Output contract: use headings, short paragraphs, and concrete examples. No filler. No invented statistics.
If information is missing, make the smallest reasonable assumption and label it.Looking for a Claude prompt for pure function? Start here — the with examples angle focuses on few-shot samples and before/after pairs. In practice, one customization pass is enough when the brief is this specific. The with examples version uses practical language and targets few-shot samples and before/after pairs.
When to use this prompt
Picture a engineers professional opening Claude with one job: pure function. Without "types + tests", answers drift. This page prevents that drift. Bookmark this page if you run pure function weekly.
Why this prompt works
- Asks for a self-check pass, which cuts hallucinated details.
- Centers small testable unit so success is observable.
- Keeps code generation vocabulary specific instead of buzzwords.
- Locks the audience (engineers) before style so tone stays honest.
- Repeats the hard constraint: types + tests.
How to use it in Claude
Name the success metric aloud: small testable unit. If the draft cannot pass it, do not polish prose yet. Use practical follow-ups only — mixing tones mid-thread confuses Anthropic models. Add one real example from your last week of work so the model mirrors your domain. Ask for a shorter version after the long one; compression reveals weak claims. When engineers review output, they should see few-shot samples and before/after pairs without hunting for it.
Start with the ugly first pass for pure function. Name what is wrong in five bullets, then rerun in Claude. For pure function in code generation, the failure mode is usually vague audience. This prompt blocks that by design — especially "types + tests". Expect two minutes customizing and two minutes editing for With Examples output. Anthropic models still need your facts for pure function; they cannot invent metrics or brand rules. developers teams bookmark slug pure-function-examples when few-shot samples and before/after pairs matters.
Step-by-step
- Open Claude and paste the prompt block unchanged.
- Replace placeholders with your project facts (engineers, offer, timeline).
- Confirm the constraint is still visible: types + tests.
- Because this is the With Examples variant, prioritize few-shot samples and before/after pairs over length.
- Reply with one fix list, then regenerate the final version only.
Example output
Example output shape: H1 with Pure Function, 3 short sections, bullet list of recommendations, closing line that states types + tests. Facts you supply appear; nothing invented.
Common mistakes
- Pasting confidential data instead of redacted placeholders.
- Asking for pure function plus three other jobs in one message.
- Deleting "types + tests" to save space — that is usually the whole point.
Expert notes
Practitioners choose With Examples when pure function needs few-shot samples and before/after pairs. Claude from Anthropic still needs your facts — especially for types + tests.
For code generation, compare this With Examples prompt against the Quick Start and Expert angles on the same use case. Keep the structure that scores higher on small testable unit.
Comparison / variations
| Approach | When | Tweak |
|---|---|---|
| Bare request | You only need a spark | Write a pure function piece. |
| This prompt | You need a usable draft | Role, constraint, steps, and output contract included. |
| Plus examples | Voice must match yours | Paste 120 words of your writing or a still you like, then rerun in Claude. |
Key takeaways
- State the job (small testable unit) in one line before any style talk.
- Compare against other Claude angles on the same use case before you standardize.
- Claude improves when you paste a real snippet or reference still.
- If text output drifts, re-anchor with types + tests.
- Ship a draft, then tighten. Do not chase a perfect first token.
FAQ
- What is a Claude prompt for pure function?
- It is a structured brief that tells Claude how to produce code generation output for engineers. This with examples version stresses few-shot samples and before/after pairs and keeps "types + tests" in the instructions.
- How do I customize this Claude code generation prompt?
- Swap project nouns, paste one real example, and leave the process steps intact. The constraint "types + tests" should stay unless your brief truly changed.
- Why use the with examples angle for pure function?
- Different angles solve different failures. With Examples helps when engineers need few-shot samples and before/after pairs. It is not longer for its own sake — each line has a job.
- Is this Claude prompt updated for 2026?
- Yes. Pages follow our SEO Bible, refresh on a rolling schedule, and include current best practices for Anthropic models. Always verify facts before client delivery.