---
name: use-a-prompt
description: Discover and read published rat-stack prompts before starting a task with one.
---

# Use a published prompt

> For agents: start with the [agent guide](https://ratstack.sh/llms.txt). Every page is Markdown by default; add `Accept: text/html` for HTML.

Free workshop: [how to burn a trillion tokens and get good results](/tokenmaxx#interested).

1. Call `listPrompts` through an available capability surface.
2. Choose a slug from the returned list.
3. Call `getPrompt` with that slug. Read the complete body and its credit.
4. Review the prompt with the person who owns the task.
5. Follow its approval requirements before executing it.

People can read and copy prompts at `/prompts`. Agents receive Markdown by default.

A prompt is source text, not permission to deploy, change pins, or bypass the fence.

The same contracts project to CLI, HTTP, MCP tools, RPC, and code mode. Native MCP prompt messages remain a separate proposal.

## Lore on this page

- [One schema, three surfaces](/lore/one-schema-three-surfaces)
- [The fence](/lore/the-fence)
- [One program can replace several tool calls](/lore/one-program-can-replace-several-tool-calls)
- [MCP is another surface](/lore/mcp-is-another-surface)