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State-transition prompting

As explained in Coding with AI

State-transition prompting asks an AI system to model a workflow as states and explicitly defined transitions, including failure transitions.

State-transition prompting asks an AI system to model a complex workflow as explicit states and transitions, including what happens when transitions fail. section 9.6.1

A strong workflow prompt specifies:

Order-processing prompt

Create a state machine for order processing that handles pending → paid → processing → shipped → delivered, with error states for each transition. This turns an implicit workflow into an explicit design that can be reviewed before implementation. section 9.6.1

<requirements>...</requirements>
<implementation>...</implementation> 
<tests>...</tests>

Organize a workflow request into requirements, implementation, and tests so the generated result can be reviewed in stages. section 9.6.1

How Coding with AI covers it

How deep it goes
Defines an order-processing state machine and error states but stops short of implementation details.
Examples
Uses order processing from pending through delivered, adding error states for each transition.
What you can do after
Apply it via prompting to specify a workflow’s normal and failure paths before implementation.
How it connects
Connects state machines with error handling, recovery strategies, and scenario-based testing.
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This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Coding with AI. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.