99% of Users Don’t Know About These 10 ChatGPT Secret Codes

Source: Dev.to

What Even Are These “Secret Codes”?

First, let’s clarify the word code. In conversational AI, a “code” is simply a carefully framed instruction that nudges the model into a specific cognitive mode. Think of it like a verbal cheat code. Instead of unlocking God Mode in a video game, you unlock:

• Hemingway‑style writing
• Step‑by‑step reasoning
• Business strategies in two languages
• Explanations that actually make sense

ChatGPT runs on tokens, context windows, and system instructions—stuff most users never touch directly. These prompt formats let you influence all of that without a computer science degree.

1. ELI5 — Explain Like I’m 5

Skip the fancy prompts. Just type:

ELI5: [topic]

You’ll get a simple, intuitive explanation for complex ideas in seconds. Perfect for learning new concepts, teaching others, or breaking through confusion fast.

2. TL;DR — Instant Summaries

Got a wall of text? Paste it and write:

TL;DR

Boom. Clean summary. No fluff. Great for articles, research papers, or long emails you don’t want to read twice.

3. Jargonize — Professional Mode

Want your writing to sound smarter? Ask ChatGPT to:

Jargonize this

Your text will look ready for LinkedIn posts, investor updates, or corporate decks. Use sparingly—overuse makes you sound fake.

4. Humanize — Kill the AI Voice

Tired of buzzwords like “Revolutionary,” “Game‑changing,” or “Introducing…”? Just say:

Humanize this

You’ll get text that sounds like a real person wrote it—not a marketing bot.

5. The Feynman Technique — Real Understanding

Go deeper than ELI5. Ask ChatGPT to:

Explain using the Feynman Technique

It will explain simply, identify gaps, re‑explain, and refine until it’s clear—how you actually learn, not just memorize.

6. Socratic Method — Interactive Learning

Instead of dumping information, make ChatGPT teach you properly. Try:

Teach me [topic] using the Socratic method

It will ask you questions first, then adapt the lesson based on your answers. Feels like a private tutor.

7. Rewrite Like [Specific Person]

Generic rewrite prompts are weak. Try one of these:

• Rewrite like a sarcastic Redditor
• Rewrite like Alex Hormozi
• Rewrite like Steve Jobs

The tone becomes native to the platform instantly.

8. Inverse Prompt — Reverse Engineering Genius

Found a great piece of writing? Paste it and ask:

What prompt would generate this response?

This is insanely powerful for studying viral posts, learning good copy, and improving your own prompts fast.

9. Temperature Control — Creativity Dial

Control how wild or precise ChatGPT gets. Ask it to:

• Respond with high creativity → bold ideas
• Respond with low randomness → precise answers

Same model, completely different output.

10. Self‑Critique — Auto Improvement Mode

Never accept the first draft. After any response, say:

Now critique your response and improve it for clarity and tone

You’ll often get a noticeably better version—instantly.

Why This Actually Matters

These aren’t “nice‑to‑know” tricks. They change how you:

• Learn
• Write
• Think
• Teach
• Build ideas faster

Most users never go beyond basic prompts. Now you’re not most users.

Final Thought

You don’t need to be a coder, a prompt engineer, or a tech geek. You just need curiosity—and a willingness to experiment. I’ve tested hundreds of prompts; these ten genuinely changed how I think, write, and teach.

So the next time someone says, “It’s just a chatbot,” smile. You know something they don’t.

Thumbnail credit: https://www.internetmatters.org/