Prompt Behaviour Types Overview

# Prompt Behaviour Types Overview Published date: 2026 02 11Last reviewed date: 2026 02 11. Reviewed for accuracy and scope alignment.Layer: 3a Primary question: What are common prompt behaviour types, and how do they change what AI systems produce and who gets included? Prompt behaviour types change what the system thinks the user wants. Some prompts trigger retrieval. Some trigger comparison and justification. Some trigger validation, and some trigger solution matching. Inclusion signals shift with each type. ## Navigational prompts Navigational prompts are about finding options. They often look like short queries or local category requests. The system usually tries to retrieve a set of relevant entities. ## Comparative prompts Comparative prompts ask the system to rank, justify, or recommend. Words like best, top, and compare push the system into explanation and trade off language. Inclusion tends to depend on stronger confidence signals. ## Question prompts Question prompts seek validation or clarity. They often start with why, how, should I, or what is the difference. The system may be more cautious and may cite sources more often when it is unsure. ## Problem based prompts Problem based prompts describe a situation and ask for a solution. The system tries to map the problem to a class of solutions and then name entities that fit. When the problem is vague, the system may give generic advice rather than name options. ## Prompt type table | Prompt Type | Intent | Model Behaviour | | --- | --- | --- | | Navigational | Find options | List entities | | Comparative | Rank and justify | Synthesise and compare | | Question | Validate decision | Explain reasoning | | Problem based | Match solution | Map need to entity | ## Real world scenario A local business is included for a short navigational prompt but excluded for a comparative prompt that asks for the best. The business has not changed. The required level of justification has changed. ## Limitatio