> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.oncanary.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Best prompts for Ask Canary

> Give Ask Canary enough context to return useful records, sources, and prepared actions.

Strong prompts name the target, timeframe, evidence, and desired output. Start with a focused request, review the result, then narrow or expand with a follow-up.

## Prompt pattern

Use this shape:

> For **\[asset, location, team, or record]**, find **\[fact or event]** during **\[timeframe]** and return **\[list, summary, comparison, or chart]**.

For a change, include the exact values you want Canary to prepare.

## Work and planning prompts

* “List overdue Critical work orders, grouped by assignee.”
* “Show open work orders for Packaging Line 4 and include status, priority, due date, and assignee.”
* “Summarize the status history for request WR-104.”
* “Chart work orders created and completed during the last 30 days.”

## Asset and reliability prompts

* “Show failure events and unplanned downtime for Compressor 2 this quarter.”
* “Compare uptime for the assets in the Boiler Room during the last 90 days.”
* “Summarize recent maintenance context for Pump P-204.”
* “Find the record assigned to identifier MX-PLANT-0042.”

## Meter and automation prompts

* “Show recent readings for the discharge-pressure meter.”
* “List failed and partial executions for the high-temperature automation this week.”
* “Explain why the latest execution was skipped.”
* “Prepare a work-order automation when Motor 7 temperature is above 90 °C for three readings, with a 60-minute cooldown.”

Ask Canary saves an automation as active after you approve the proposed write.

## Document prompts

Mention or attach the asset first, then ask:

* “In the Compressor 2 manual, find the specified belt-tension procedure and cite the page.”
* “Which page defines the lubrication interval for this asset?”
* “Find the manufacturer shutdown steps in the attached manual and cite each source.”

Open every cited page and follow the approved site procedure before safety-critical work.

## Change prompts

* “Prepare a new numeric run-hours meter for Forklift 12 with unit hours.”
* “Prepare a reading of 1,245 hours for Forklift 12 and note ‘weekly inspection’.”
* “Prepare a sub-asset link from Gearbox 2 to Packaging Line 4.”
* “Set the ‘Warranty expiry’ custom field on Pump P-204 to 2027-03-31.”

Review the approval card for exact record identity, hierarchy, value, and action before approving.

## Improve a weak result

* Add the record name or ID.
* Add a concrete date range.
* Specify fields and sort order.
* Ask for source citations when searching documents.
* Split a broad request into a read step and a separately approved write step.

## Related pages

* [About Ask Canary](/help/ask-canary/overview)
* [Asset documents](/help/assets/documents)
* [Review automation executions](/help/automations/review-executions)