5 ChatGPT codes most people don't know (plus 95 more)
From AdamHey, it's Adam. Five short codes, typed before your prompt, that change how ChatGPT answers: one makes it sound human, one makes it explain like you're 10, one makes it think harder, one stops it agreeing with you, and one gives you three versions at once. Here are the five I showed, the exact prompts I used, and the trick that makes them work every time. Then the full list of 100.
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how they work
How they work 🧠
These aren't hidden ChatGPT features. Nothing gets unlocked when you type a slash. ChatGPT reads language, and a short code is a fast way to tell it what you want.
That matters, because some codes are so common ChatGPT already knows them (ELI5, TL;DR), and some it has to guess (X10THINK, KILLCRITIC). Two ways to make sure it gets them right:
1. Paste the code with its meaning the first time:
Example — code with meaning
KILLCRITIC — stop agreeing with me and give me the blunt critique.
Why do some online businesses grow faster than others?
2. Teach it once, then use the code alone. Go to Settings → Personalization → Custom instructions (or a Project's instructions) and paste:
Custom instructions — paste this once
When I start a message with one of these codes, follow it:
/human = rewrite so it sounds like a real person wrote it, not a robot
EL10 = explain like I'm 10: simple words, everyday examples, no jargon
X10THINK = think it through carefully before answering; consider
several angles, check your logic, then give the answer
KILLCRITIC = don't agree with me by default; find the weak points,
push back, and tell me what's actually true
ALT3 = give me three genuinely different versions of the answer
After that, typing the code before your prompt is all you need.
the 5 codes i showed
The 5 codes I showed 🎬
/human
/human — sounds like a person, not a robot
Rewrites the answer in natural language: varied sentences, no filler, no "In today's fast-paced world".
/human — the prompt I used
/human
Develop a comprehensive personal financial plan for a 35-year-old
Singapore resident earning $135,000 per year (before tax), with
$32,000 in savings, $20,000 in education loan debt, and $8,000 in
credit card debt carrying a 20.49% interest rate.
Read it out loud. If it sounds like a brochure, add "Write it like you're explaining it to a friend over coffee."
EL10
EL10 — explains anything like you're 10
Simple words, everyday examples, no jargon. It's a step up from ELI5: still easy, with a bit more substance.
EL10 — the prompt I used
EL10
What is Machine Learning?
Could a 10-year-old repeat the main idea back to you? If not, reply "Simpler, with one example from everyday life."
X10THINK
X10THINK — makes it think harder before answering
Pushes ChatGPT to consider several angles and check its own logic before it answers, instead of going with the first idea.
X10THINK — the prompt I used
X10THINK
What impact does AI have on productivity, innovation, and the
overall quality of life in modern society?
The answer should weigh trade-offs, not just list benefits. Even better: pair it with Thinking or a higher effort level in the model picker. The code asks it to think, and the setting gives it the room to.
KILLCRITIC
KILLCRITIC — stops it agreeing with everything
ChatGPT's default is to be agreeable. This code tells it to find the weak points, push back, and say what's actually true.
KILLCRITIC — the prompt I used
KILLCRITIC
Why Do Some Online Businesses Grow Faster Than Others?
It should challenge at least one common belief. It works best on your idea: "KILLCRITIC — here's my plan: [plan]."
ALT3
ALT3 — three different versions at once
Three genuinely different answers to compare, instead of one you have to keep asking it to redo.
ALT3 — the prompt I used
ALT3
What Pages Should a Business Website Include to Attract Customers?
The three versions should differ in approach, not just wording. If they're too similar, reply "Make the three versions take completely different angles."
the full list
The full list: 100 shortcuts 🗂
The five above are in here too. Type the code, add your text or topic, and send. Codes stack: two or three in one message combine.
✍️ writing & tone
✍️ Writing & tone
01/humanRewrite so it sounds like a person, not a robot.
02/rewriteSay it differently, same meaning.
03/tightenCut every word that isn't earning its place.
04/expandAdd detail, depth and supporting points.
05/plainPlain language a 12-year-old could follow.
06/formalProfessional, polished tone.
07/casualRelaxed, conversational tone.
08/punchyShort sentences, strong verbs, more energy.
09/warmFriendlier and more human, without getting soft.
10/proofreadFix grammar, spelling and clarity. Keep my voice.
💡 explain it to me
💡 Explain it to me
11/eli5Explain it like I'm 5.
12EL10Explain it like I'm 10: simple words, everyday examples.
13/expertExplain it the way an expert would to a peer.
14/analogyExplain it by comparing it to something familiar.
15/whyFocus on the reason behind it, not just the what.
16/firstprinciplesBreak it down to the basic truths and rebuild.
17X10THINKThink it through carefully before answering. Show your reasoning.
18/examplesAdd 3 concrete examples.
19/jargonDefine every technical term you used.
20/mentalmodelGive me one simple model to think about this with.
📋 format it
📋 Format it
21/tldrThe shortest useful summary, 3 lines max.
22/bulletsTurn it into bullet points.
23/tablePut it in a table so I can compare.
24/checklistTurn it into a checklist I can tick off.
25/stepsNumber it as a step-by-step process.
26/outlineA structured outline with headings.
27/keypointsOnly the most important takeaways.
28/onepagerA one-page summary someone busy could read.
29/faqRewrite it as questions and answers.
30/timelinePut it in chronological order.
🎓 learn & study
🎓 Learn & study
31/quizmeQuiz me one question at a time; wait for my answer.
32/flashcardsTurn this into flashcard Q&A pairs.
33/feynmanExplain it as simply as possible, then find the gaps.
34/socraticTeach me by asking questions, not telling.
35/teachmeTurn this into a short lesson with a recap.
36/misconceptionsThe common misunderstandings about this.
37/studyplanA day-by-day study plan to learn this.
38/explainbackI'll explain it to you; grade me and fix my mistakes.
39/mockexamA practice exam with an answer key at the end.
40/recall5 recall questions to check I remember it tomorrow.
🚀 ideas
🚀 Ideas
41/ideas1010 ideas on this topic.
42ALT33 genuinely different alternatives.
43/hooks1010 opening hooks for this content.
44/scamperUse the SCAMPER method to generate ideas.
45/remixCombine two ideas into a new one.
46/wildThe unconventional options I wouldn't think of.
47/angles5 different angles to approach this from.
48/names10 name ideas, with a reason for each.
49/titles10 title options, from safe to bold.
50/worstideaThe worst ideas first, then flip them into good ones.
54/decideA simple decision framework, then your pick.
55/paretoThe 20% of actions that drive 80% of the result.
56/risksThe biggest risks, ranked by likelihood and impact.
57/secondorderWhat happens after the first effect wears off.
58/premortemImagine it failed. Why did it fail?
59/regretWhich option will I regret not taking in 5 years?
60/nextstepThe one most useful thing to do next, and how to start.
🥊 challenge me
🥊 Challenge me
61/assumptionsThe assumptions I'm making without noticing.
62/counterThe strongest counterargument.
63/steelmanThe strongest version of the side I disagree with.
64KILLCRITICStop agreeing with me. Give me the blunt critique.
65/redteamAttack this plan like a competitor would.
66/blindspotsWhat I'm not seeing.
67/factcheckCheck the claims; search current sources; flag gaps.
68/sourcesShow where each claim comes from.
69/confidenceRate how confident you are in each part, and why.
70/whatsmissingWhat a good answer to this would include that mine doesn't.
📱 content & social
📱 Content & social
71/scriptWrite it as a short video script.
72/threadTurn it into a social media thread.
73/captionAn Instagram caption with a hook and a CTA.
74/carouselSlide-by-slide text for a carousel.
75/hookrewriteMake this hook sharper. Give me 5 versions.
76/cta5 calls-to-action that don't sound salesy.
77/repurposeTurn this into a post, a thread and an email.
78/newsletterRewrite it as a newsletter section.
79/linkedinA LinkedIn post that doesn't sound like LinkedIn.
80/storymodeTell it as a story instead of a list.
💼 work & business
💼 Work & business
81/emailDraft an email for this. Short, clear, one ask.
82/replyDraft a reply to this message.
83/meetingnotesDecisions, owners and deadlines from these notes.
84/agendaA meeting agenda with timings.
85/proposalA simple one-page proposal.
86/pitchA 30-second pitch for this.
87/personaDescribe the ideal customer for this.
88/pricing3 pricing options with the reasoning for each.
89/okrTurn this goal into objectives and key results.
90/sopA step-by-step process someone else could follow.
🛠 utility & code
🛠 Utility & code
91/translateTranslate it. Keep the tone, not just the words.
92/convertConvert it to another format.
93/compressShrink it, keep the meaning.
94/reframePresent the same idea from a different angle.
95/coachAnswer like a coach: questions first, then advice.
96/critiqueReview this and tell me what needs fixing.
97/betterpromptRewrite my rough request as a better prompt.
98/debugFind the likely bugs in this code.
99/explaincodeExplain what this code does in plain English.
100/optimizeMake this code faster or cleaner.
three combos to try first
Three combos to try first 🔑
Make a decision
X10THINK then KILLCRITIC. Here's my situation: [describe the decision]
Fix your writing
/human then /tighten. Keep my meaning and personality:
[paste your text]
Learn something properly
EL10 then /quizme on [topic]. One question at a time.
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