ConeheadAI · lessons

Latest lessons

163 of 163 leftover lessons. Start with the takeaway, then do the exercise. Tool-use focused — use AI you already have.

• SNK3-243generalDisclosure norms — when to say AI helpedTeams need an explicit norm for when AI assistance is disclosed (external docs, analysis, code) versus assumed (drafts, formatting).L3–L6 · Verifier–Architect (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~5m
• SNK3-242generalMeasure outcomes, not loginsAI adoption metrics that matter count verified work shipped (hours saved, drafts used, errors caught), not seat activations.L3–L6 · Verifier–Architect (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~8m
• SNK3-241generalRun a 30-minute show-and-tellA monthly 'show your AI win' half-hour spreads working practice faster than mandated training.L2–L5 · Capable–Builder (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~5m
• SNK3-240generalThe one-page team AI policyA usable team policy fits one page: approved tools, banned data, verification rule, disclosure norm, who to ask.L3–L6 · Verifier–Architect (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~10m
• SNK3-239generalPrototype, pilot, production — three gatesAI features graduate through gates: prototype (works for you), pilot (friendly users plus feedback), production (guardrails, owner, rollback).L3–L6 · Verifier–Architect (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~5m
• SNK3-238toolsAPI key hygiene — the three rulesKeys never go in shared prompts or client code, get rotated when exposed, and get scoped to least privilege.L3–L6 · Verifier–Architect (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~5m
• SNK3-237toolsNo-code intake: form in, summary outChaining a form to an AI summarize step is the smallest real AI application — and teaches the full build loop.L2–L5 · Capable–Builder (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~8m
• SNK3-236toolsPackage one workflow as a custom assistantCustom GPTs / Claude Projects / Gems let you package instructions plus reference files into a reusable assistant — no code required.L2–L5 · Capable–Builder (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~10m
• SNK3-235generalFind the kill switch firstBefore relying on any automation, know exactly how to stop it in under a minute — pause, revoke, or unplug.L2–L5 · Capable–Builder (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~4m
• SNK3-234generalThe audit trail habitLogging what an automation did (when, what, result) is the difference between a controlled system and a mystery.L2–L5 · Capable–Builder (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~4m
• SNK3-233generalWeek one: propose, never executeNew automations should run in propose-only mode first — outputs reviewed by a human — before earning execution rights.L2–L5 · Capable–Builder (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~5m
• SNK3-232generalAutomation charter — one job, limits, stopBefore automating anything with AI, write the charter: the job, the inputs it may touch, the limits, and the stop condition.L2–L5 · Capable–Builder (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~5m
• SNK3-231generalFriday five minutes — which AI habit stuckA weekly five-minute review (what worked, what flopped, one experiment for next week) compounds AI skills faster than courses.L1–L2 · Hands On–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~5m
• SNK3-230generalDefine done-when before you promptWriting the acceptance criteria before prompting turns AI sessions from wandering chats into checkable work units.L0–L2 · Curious–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~3m
• SNK3-229generalTeam prompt library — one shared docA shared doc of five proven prompts with use-when notes spreads AI capability across a team faster than any training.L1–L3 · Hands On–Verifier (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~5m
• SNK3-228generalSave your best prompts — template beats memoryA saved prompt template with blanks (audience, length, constraints) turns one good result into a repeatable one.L1–L2 · Hands On–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~4m
• SNK3-227generalWhen NOT to use AI at allSome tasks — final legal wording, personnel decisions, anything you can't verify — are wrong for AI regardless of tool quality.L1–L3 · Hands On–Verifier (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~4m
• SNK3-226generalKnow your approved list — before you need itMost orgs have an approved-AI-tools list (or an implicit one); knowing it before the deadline crunch prevents policy accidents.L0–L2 · Curious–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~5m
• SNK3-225toolsOne task, two tools, pick a winnerA 10-minute same-task bake-off on your real work beats any review article for choosing tools.L1–L3 · Hands On–Verifier (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~10m
• SNK3-224toolsFree vs paid — what the upgrade actually buysPaid AI tiers typically buy better models, longer context, and file/tool features — decide by task, not hype.L1–L3 · Hands On–Verifier (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~5m
• SNK3-223generalUpload vs paste — where does the file go?Uploading a file sends the whole file, not just what you meant; scan for hidden tabs, comments, and metadata first.L0–L2 · Curious–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~4m
• SNK3-222generalRedaction patterns that keep prompts usefulConsistent placeholders (Client A, Project Blue, [AMOUNT]) preserve AI usefulness while stripping identifying data.L0–L2 · Curious–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~4m
• SNK3-221toolsFind the training toggleConsumer AI tools have settings controlling whether your chats train future models; know where yours is set.L0–L2 · Curious–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~4m
• SNK3-220generalClassify before you paste — 60-second drillPublic / internal / confidential is the classification that decides where text may go; run it before every paste.L0–L2 · Curious–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~3m
• SNK3-219generalAsk when its knowledge endsEvery model has a training cutoff; recent events need web-grounded tools or human sources.L0–L1 · Curious–Hands On (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~3m
• SNK3-218generalSpot the invented citationModels fabricate plausible-looking references; every citation must be opened before it's repeated.L0–L2 · Curious–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~5m
• SNK3-217generalCross-check one fact across two modelsAsking two different models the same factual question and comparing answers is a fast, free reliability check.L0–L2 · Curious–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~4m
• SNK3-216generalAsk what would change its answerState your confidence and what evidence would change this answer' exposes weak reasoning better than accepting fluent output.L0–L2 · Curious–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~3m
• SNK3-215generalTranslate jargon for executivesRewrite for a busy executive: decision needed, cost, risk, one recommendation' is a reusable template for upward communication.L0–L2 · Curious–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~4m
• SNK3-214generalMessy process _ checklistPasting a rambling process description and asking for a numbered checklist with owners converts tribal knowledge into usable ops.L0–L2 · Curious–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~5m
• SNK3-213generalDraft the hard email — bad news without blameAI drafts difficult messages (deadline slip, decline, pushback) in a neutral tone; the human owns facts, empathy check, and send.L0–L2 · Curious–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~4m
• SNK3-212generalSummarize the policy for a new hireExplain this policy to someone on day one' produces summaries people actually read — verify against the source before sharing.L0–L2 · Curious–Capable (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~5m
• SNK3-211generalBrainstorm 20, keep 3Volume-then-filter beats asking for the single best idea — generate wide with AI, converge with human judgment.L0–L1 · Curious–Hands On (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~4m
• SNK3-210generalBullet notes _ status updateRough bullets in, polished status update out — the human adds accuracy, the model adds structure.L0–L1 · Curious–Hands On (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~4m
• SNK3-209generalRewrite for a reading levelAsking for a specific reading level (grade 8, ESL-friendly) makes internal communications dramatically more usable.L0–L1 · Curious–Hands On (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~3m
• SNK3-208generalJob posting _ interview questions in 5 minutesAI turns any job description into structured interview questions fast — humans still calibrate for fairness and fit.L0–L1 · Curious–Hands On (bootstrap — system rebalances) · ~4m

Take Question 1 · Team training