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

# Writing effective queries

> Get the best answers from Chat with these tips

## How to write effective queries

The way you prompt Chat has a big impact on the quality of the answers. Ask questions the same way you would ask a knowledgeable colleague: clear, specific, and with enough context.

### Mention good sources

If you know of a relevant source, include it in your query.

<Tip>
  "Based on our shareholders' agreement, how often should we hold board meetings?"
</Tip>

### Specify output format

Provide instructions on how you want your reply formatted.

<Tip>
  "Create a table describing how Realm differs from Glean" or "Write a short email about our HIPAA and GDPR compliance"
</Tip>

### Specify tools and time ranges

Be explicit about where to look and when.

* "Based on Linear and Slack, what's the status of Realm API project?"
* "List all PRs about the Cycles feature from the past two days"

### Request corrections

If the initial answer got something wrong, ask for corrections.

* "Only include results from Acme company, exclude everything else."
* "There should be more clients listed. Can you double check?"

<Warning>
  Avoid vague or incomplete prompts like "Data sources?", "Roadmap?", or "Email about GDPR." These lack context and specificity, leading to less accurate responses.
</Warning>

## Asking follow-up questions

When asking follow-up questions, start a new chat (`Cmd+K` or `Ctrl+K`) if the question is unrelated to the original one. This prevents unrelated context from affecting the answer.