Prompting
One-shot prompting
Giving a model one example before asking it to perform a similar task.
Example
A prompt includes one completed expense-category example before asking the model to classify another.
Why it matters
It offers a quick demonstration when explaining the desired result in words would be awkward.
You'll hear it
“Use this completed case as the pattern for the next one.”
Can you control it?
Yes
Yes. You can often use or adjust one-shot prompting directly when the product supports it. The available options and their effect still depend on the tool.
Common questions
- Can it copy details that should have changed?
- Yes. Names, numbers or wording from the example may carry into the new answer incorrectly.
- Does the example permanently teach the system?
- Not by itself. It normally guides the current task rather than changing the AI's underlying learning.
- Can a misleading example make the answer worse?
- Yes. One poor demonstration can suggest the wrong format, reasoning or level of detail.