Markdown
A simple way to add headings, lists, and bold text using plain characters like # and *. AI tools read and write it easily.
The fuller definition
Markdown is a plain-text notation for headings, lists, emphasis, links, and other document structures. Applications render supported syntax into formatted content.
- Plain text
## Evidence
- Renderer
Interpret markup
- Display
A section heading
A simplified relationship, not a screenshot or a complete design.
A concrete example
A line beginning with two hash symbols becomes a section heading in a compatible renderer.
The distinction that matters
Markdown is formatting syntax, not a special mechanism that guarantees a model follows instructions.
Related terms
Prompt
What you give a model to guide its reply. This may include a question, rules, and source text.
APIs & softwareJSON — JavaScript Object Notation
A tidy text format for data, made of labels and values in curly brackets. Programs use it to pass information around.
Prompting & contextXML
A way of labelling parts of a text with tags, like <date>12 March</date>, so a program knows what each part is.
Where it is taught
Give AI a brief it can actually followSource and further reading
Anthropic · Context engineeringThe definition and example are written for this library. The link gives background, official documentation or legal authority as labelled. Legal scope depends on the jurisdiction and current text; product features depend on release and settings.