> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.usetyms.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# AI Prompt Guidelines

> Best practices for creating records with AI prompts

When creating records using AI prompts, follow these guidelines for best results.

## Best Practices

### Be Specific

Include all relevant details in your prompts:

* Dates (e.g., "dated January 15, 2024" or "dated today")
* Amounts (e.g., "\$1,000" or "500.00")
* Contacts (e.g., "for customer ABC Company")
* Descriptions (e.g., "for web development services")

### Use Natural Language

Describe what you want in plain English. The AI understands natural language descriptions.

### Include Context

Mention related information to help the AI understand the full context of the record.

### Specify Dates

Always include dates in your prompts. Use formats like:

* "dated today"
* "dated January 15, 2024"
* "due in 30 days"

## Good Examples

<CodeGroup>
  ```json Invoice theme={null}
  {
    "prompt": "Create an invoice for ABC Company for $1,000 for web development services, dated today, due in 30 days"
  }
  ```

  ```json Bill theme={null}
  {
    "prompt": "Create a bill from XYZ Supplier for $500 for office supplies, dated January 15, 2024"
  }
  ```

  ```json Expense theme={null}
  {
    "prompt": "Create an expense for $50 for lunch meeting with John Doe on January 20, 2024"
  }
  ```

  ```json Contact theme={null}
  {
    "prompt": "Create a contact for John Smith, email john@example.com, phone +1234567890, customer type"
  }
  ```

  ```json Bank transactions (upload) theme={null}
  {
    "prompt": "Import: 01/15/2024 -45.99 Uber; 01/16/2024 +2000.00 ACH Payroll ACME; include dates, amounts, debit/credit or +/-, narration, and references",
    "bank": "your-bank-uuid"
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Bad Examples

<Warning>
  Avoid vague prompts that lack essential information.
</Warning>

<CodeGroup>
  ```json Too Vague theme={null}
  {
    "prompt": "Create invoice"
  }
  ```

  ```json Missing Details theme={null}
  {
    "prompt": "Bill"
  }
  ```

  ```json Incomplete theme={null}
  {
    "prompt": "Expense $50"
  }
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Tips

* **Amounts in prompts**: Natural language can include `$` or plain numbers; in **structured** JSON bodies (e.g. payments), send **numeric** amounts without currency symbols unless an endpoint documents otherwise.
* **Dates**: Be explicit in prompts; structured bodies use `YYYY-MM-DD` where required.
* **Contacts**: Include names, emails, or phone numbers when relevant.
* **Bank upload**: `POST /bank-transactions/upload` **requires** `prompt` — describe or paste lines clearly. Optional [attachments](/api-reference/attachments) carry statement files.
* **`process_type`**: Use `async` for background processing (default on most AI creates) or `direct` when you need the result in the same HTTP response — see [Concepts](/concepts).