Agent Output Issues

You: "Write a report"
Agent: [Produces a generic template with placeholder text]

Before: "Write a report"

After: "Write a Q1 marketing performance report for the executive team.
Include: campaign results, budget vs. actuals, key wins, and Q2 recommendations.
Format: 2-page summary with bullet points and a data table.
Tone: Professional and data-driven."

"Write a status report similar to the one I shared last week.
Use the same structure and level of detail.
Focus on: completed tasks, blockers, and next steps."

"Create a competitor analysis that includes:
- Company name, founding year, key products, pricing
- Exclude: companies founded before 2010
- Focus on: direct competitors in the SaaS project management space"

Agent provides statistics or facts that are wrong

"Use ONLY the data from the Q1_Report.xlsx file in my Reports folder.
Do not infer or add numbers that aren't in the source file.
If data is missing, mark it as [DATA NOT AVAILABLE]."

"Include source references for all claims.
For each statistic, note which file and page it came from."

"Before finalizing, list all the key facts you're including.
I'll verify them before you generate the full output."

Always review agent output for accuracy:
- Cross-check numbers with source files
- Verify names, dates, and titles
- Confirm any external facts (if agent did research)

You asked for a table, got paragraphs
You asked for bullet points, got a wall of text

"Output as a markdown table with these columns: Name, Date, Amount, Status"
"Use bullet points, max 5 words per bullet"
"Format as JSON with these fields: ..."

"Format the output like this example:

[Your example here]

Follow this exact structure."

"That content is good, but reformat it as:
- A table instead of paragraphs
- Bullet points instead of sentences
- JSON/CSV/XML format"

Agent says it saved a file, but you can't find it

"Save the file to: /Users/yourname/Documents/Reports/
Filename: Q1_Summary.docx"

1. Check the file panel in the chat interface
2. Confirm the folder is connected
3. Verify you have write permissions to that folder

"Before saving, confirm:
- The full path where you'll save
- The exact filename
- The file format"

1. Use Finder (macOS) or File Explorer (Windows)
2. Search for the filename or part of it
3. Check your Downloads folder (default save location)
4. Check the connected folder in FabriXWork

Agent asks for clarification repeatedly
Agent seems confused about what you want

Instead of one complex request, break it into steps:

"Step 1: Read the files in my Research folder
Step 2: Identify the top 5 themes
Step 3: Create a summary for each theme"

Avoid: "Can you maybe sort of put together something about the thing?"
Use: "Create a one-page summary of Q1 sales results"

"Before you start, tell me what you understand this task to be."

"Here's an example of what I'm looking for:
[Paste example]

Create something similar for [your topic]."

Agent writes 5 pages when you needed 5 bullets

"Summarize in 3 bullet points, max 10 words each"
"Keep it under 200 words"
"One paragraph only"
"Executive summary format: 5 bullets max"

Agent gives 2 sentences when you needed a full report

"Expand on each point with at least 2-3 sentences"
"Include examples for each claim"
"Add background context and detailed analysis"
"Write a comprehensive 2-page report"

You connected files but agent doesn't use them

"Read the file 'Q1_Data.xlsx' in my Reports folder.
Use the data from Sheet1 for your analysis."

"What files can you see in my connected folder?"

1. Look at the file panel in the chat interface
2. Confirm files are visible
3. If not, reconnect the folder

- Some file types may not be readable
- Common supported formats: TXT, DOCX, PDF, CSV, XLSX, JSON
- Proprietary or encrypted files may not work

You: "Create a competitor list"
Agent: [Basic list with names only]

You: "Good start. Add founding year and headquarters location for each"
Agent: [Adds requested info]

You: "Perfect. Now add a column for their main product and pricing tier"
Agent: [Complete table]

"Here are two examples of good [output type]:

Example 1:
[Paste example]

Example 2:
[Paste example]

Create something similar in style and quality."

Constraints improve focus:
- "Use only data from 2025 or later"
- "Focus on enterprise customers only"
- "Exclude anything marked as confidential"
- "Maximum 500 words"

"Give me 3 different versions:
1. Conservative/formal tone
2. Friendly/casual tone
3. Persuasive/sales tone

I'll choose the best one."

"Before finalizing, review your output and:
1. Check for accuracy
2. Ensure all requirements are met
3. Identify any gaps or missing information
4. Suggest improvements"

Create a [TYPE OF REPORT] about [TOPIC].

Audience: [WHO WILL READ THIS]
Purpose: [WHY THEY NEED IT]

Required sections:
1. [Section 1]
2. [Section 2]
3. [Section 3]

Format: [FORMAT - bullets, paragraphs, table, etc.]
Length: [APPROXIMATE LENGTH]
Tone: [TONE - professional, casual, technical]

Use data from: [SPECIFIC FILES/FOLDERS]

Analyze the data in [FILE/FOLDER].

Objective: [WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN]

Tasks:
1. [First analysis step]
2. [Second analysis step]
3. [Third analysis step]

Output format: [TABLE/CHART/SUMMARY]

Include:
- Key findings
- Trends identified
- Anomalies or outliers
- Recommendations (if applicable)

Create [CONTENT TYPE] about [TOPIC].

Context:
- [Background information]
- [Key messages to include]

Requirements:
- Length: [X words/pages/slides]
- Audience: [WHO]
- Tone: [TONE]

Structure:
- [Outline or key sections]

Include:
- [Specific elements required]