A disorganized prompt library is worse than no library at all. You know you have the perfect prompt somewhere, but finding it takes longer than writing a new one.
Whether you’re using text files, a notes app, or specialized prompt management software, these principles will help you build a library that improves with age.
Why organization matters
Prompt libraries always seem to fail in 4 predictable ways:
SPRAWL
You start with 10 prompts. Six months later you have 200, and half are duplicates with slight variations.
NAMING
Generic names like "Prompt 1" or "Good ChatGPT prompt" make your library unsearchable, so you waste more time hunting than working.
STALENESS
Prompts drift out of date as your needs evolve, but you keep using old versions because you can't tell which is current.
CONTEXT
You find a prompt but can't remember what it's for, when to use it, or what placeholders to fill in.
Good organization solves all of these, your goal is to build a library you trust and actually use.
Naming conventions
When thinking of a name, ask yourself these 3 questions:
- What does this prompt do?
- When do I use it?
- What makes it different from similar prompts?
Bad names
Prompt 1
ChatGPT Template
Writing Helper
Code Thing
These names force you to open the prompt to understand it.
Good names
Technical Documentation Writer - API Focus
Code Review - Security Emphasis
Email Response - Customer Support Tone
Blog Post Expander - SEO Optimized
You know exactly what each prompt does before opening it.
Naming formula
Keep names searchable
Use terms you’ll actually search for. If you think “email” not “correspondence,” use “email” in the name.
Close your eyes and imagine needing this prompt. What words come to mind first? Those words should be in the name.
Folder structure strategies
There are three common approaches. Pick one and stick with it.
1. By workflow
Organize prompts by when you use them:
Morning Routine/
Daily Planning
Email Triage
Priority Review
Development Work/
Code Review
Bug Analysis
Documentation
Content Creation/
Writing
Editing
SEO Optimization
End of Day/
Summary Generator
Task Review
Tomorrow's Prep
Pros: Intuitive. You know which folder to check based on what you’re doing.
Cons: Some prompts fit multiple workflows. You might duplicate or struggle with categorization.
2. By role or audience
Organize by who the prompt is for or what role you’re playing:
Engineering/
Code Review
Architecture Design
Technical Writing
Marketing/
Campaign Planning
Content Creation
Analytics Review
Management/
1-on-1 Prep
Team Communication
Strategic Planning
Pros: Clear boundaries. Each folder maps to a hat you wear.
Cons: Doesn’t work well for individuals who don’t have distinct roles.
3. By content type
Organize by what the prompt produces:
Analysis/
Competitive Analysis
Data Interpretation
Code Review
Creation/
Writing
Design Briefs
Code Generation
Communication/
Emails
Presentations
Documentation
Pros: Natural categorization based on output type.
Cons: Some prompts produce multiple types of output.
Hybrid approach
Most people end up with a hybrid: top-level folders by workflow or role, subfolders by content type.
Development/
Analysis/
Code Review
Bug Triage
Creation/
Documentation
API Design
Marketing/
Analysis/
Competitive Research
Creation/
Landing Pages
Email Campaigns
Keep it shallow
Avoid folders more than 2-3 levels deep. If you need five clicks to reach a prompt, you’ll avoid using it.
Tagging strategy
Tags supplement folders by creating cross-cutting categories.
Maintenance habits
Libraries decay without maintenance. Build these habits:
How Migi implements these principles
These best practices work with any tool, but some tools make them easier than others.
Instant search: Migi indexes prompt names, content, and tags for fuzzy search. Type any fragment and find relevant prompts in under a second.
Hierarchical folders with tags: Organize by workflow while tagging by attributes. Search across everything or browse specific folders.
Template syntax: Placeholders with default values and clear syntax. The template shows you exactly what to customize.
Quick capture: Press Option-Space from anywhere to save a new prompt. Friction-free capture means you actually save prompts.
Built-in templates: 89 templates that follow these naming and design principles. Use them as-is or as examples for your own.
No subscription overhead: One-time purchase means you focus on building your library, not justifying monthly costs.
Start small, evolve over time
Don’t try to organize 200 prompts perfectly on day one. Start with:
- 10 core prompts
The ones you use most often. - Clear names
Make them searchable. - Basic folders
3-5 top-level categories. - Consistent capture
Save every good prompt immediately.
After a month, you’ll see patterns. Adjust your folder structure, refine naming conventions, and add tags where useful.
After three months, you’ll have a library that genuinely saves time and improves your work.
The goal isn’t a perfect system. It’s a system you trust and use daily.