TL;DR Prompt
Build a prompt that produces a true tl;dr — the gist of a long piece in a few scannable points, brevity enforced, nothing invented.
Overview
A tl;dr is not a short summary — it is the irreducible gist, and most AI "tl;dr" attempts are still three paragraphs. This builds a prompt that forces brevity: at most a handful of standalone, specific points, with a "when in doubt, cut" rule and fidelity guardrails so it compresses the source instead of paraphrasing loosely. Open it in the Structured Summary Prompt to dial the length or switch the source type.
Workflow
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Open the example in the tool
It loads with realistic inputs already filled in.
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Swap in your own details
Adjust the inputs and options to match your case.
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Generate and copy
Produce the output and paste it where you need it.
Why This Works
- Brevity is enforced ("when in doubt, cut") — the difference between a tl;dr and a short summary
- A few standalone points are scannable in seconds, which is the whole point of a tl;dr
- Fidelity rules keep it compressing the source, not loosely paraphrasing it
Best for
- Getting the gist of a long article or thread fast
- Adding a scannable tl;dr to the top of a doc
- Quick triage of whether something is worth a full read
Not for
- A thorough summary with sections — use a longer length
- Summaries that must preserve every nuance
Use cases
- Getting the gist of a long article or thread fast
- Adding a scannable tl;dr to the top of a doc
- Quick triage of whether something is worth a full read