Prompting

Function schema

A function schema defines arguments for tool calls.

Quick definition

A function schema defines arguments for tool calls.

  • Category: Prompting
  • Focus: control and response quality
  • Used in: Standardizing responses with templates and clear instructions.

What it means

It enables reliable function calling. In prompting workflows, function schema often shapes control and response quality.

How it works

Prompting structures the instructions, context, and examples the model sees. Small changes in wording and format can shift output quality.

Why it matters

Prompting controls behavior, format, and response quality.

Common use cases

  • Standardizing responses with templates and clear instructions.
  • Improving quality with few-shot examples.
  • Constraining format for JSON, tables, or checklists.

Example

Schema for get_weather(city, unit).

Pitfalls and tips

Overly long prompts dilute key instructions and waste tokens. Keep prompts concise and explicit.

In BoltAI

In BoltAI, you will see this in prompts, system instructions, and templates.