“Send me a list of the files you want edited - like this …

I asked Chat GPT to make me a guide for asking about retouching … almost no one follows my simple description of what I need and I’m frazzled enough with editing without this LOL

A Friendly Reminder About Filename Lists

When a user asks for:

"A list of five filenames, including only the last four digits of the file name -separated by a comma "

please pay close attention to every part of the request. This instruction contains several separate requirements:

1. Return exactly five items.

2. Use only the filenames as your source.

3. Extract only the last four digits from each filename.

4. Separate the items with commas.

5. Return the result as a single line of text.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Vertical Lists

Do not return:

1234
5678
9012
3456
7890

The user asked for a comma-delimited list.

✅ Correct Format

1234, 5678, 9012, 3456, 7890

❌ Screenshots or Photos

Do not send:

• Pictures of handwritten lists

• Screenshots of filenames

• Screenshots of phone screens

• Photos containing the answers

The user asked for text output.

❌ Full Filenames

Do not return:

IMG_20240123_1234.jpg,IMG_20240123_5678.jpg

The user requested only the last four digits.

✅ Correct

1234,5678

❌ Dropbox or Photo IDs

Do not return:

• Photo numbers

• Dropbox item IDs

• Internal reference numbers

Use the filenames themselves and extract the requested digits.

❌ One Item at a Time

Do not provide:

1234

and then wait.

The request is for a list containing all five items.

A Good Rule of Thumb

Before responding, check your answer against the request:

• Are there exactly five items?

• Are they separated by commas?

• Is everything on one line?

• Does each item contain only the last four digits from a filename?

• Have you avoided adding extra text, screenshots, explanations, or formatting?

If all five checks pass, your answer is probably what the user wanted.