📝 documentation for .prompt files

docs/docs/walkthroughs/prompt-files.md

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+# Prompt files (experimental)
+
+Prompt (`.prompt`) files are an easy way to build and share LLM prompts with others. The format is inspired by [HumanLoops's .prompt file](https://docs.humanloop.com/docs/prompt-file-format), and adds templating so that you can easily refer to files, your current git diff, and eventually much more.
+
+## How to create a prompt file
+
+Below is a quick example of setting up a prompt file to write unit tests:s
+
+1. Create a folder called `.prompts` at the top level of your repository
+2. Add a file called `test.prompt` to this folder
+3. Write the following contents to `test.prompt` and save
+
+```
+temperature: 0.5
+maxTokens: 4096
+---
+<system>
+You are an expert programmer
+</system>
+
+{{{ input }}}
+
+Write unit tests for the above selected code, following each of these instructions:
+- Use `jest`
+- Properly set up and tear down
+- Include important edge cases
+- The tests should be complete and sophisticated
+- Give the tests just as chat output, don't edit any file
+- Don't explain how to set up `jest`
+```
+
+Now to use this prompt, you can highlight code and use cmd/ctrl+L to select it in the Continue sidebar. Then, type "/" to see the list of slash commands and choose the one called "test". Press enter and the LLM will respond given the instructions from your prompt file.
+
+## Syntax
+
+> The current state of this format is experimental and subject to change
+
+### Preamble
+
+The "preamble" is everything above the `---` separator, and lets you specify model parameters. It uses YAML syntax and currently supports the following parameters:
+
+- `temperature`
+- `topP`
+- `topK`
+- `minP`
+- `presencePenalty`
+- `frequencyPenalty`
+- `mirostat`
+- `stop`
+- `maxTokens`
+- `name`
+- `description`
+
+If you don't need any of these parameters, you can leave out the preamble and do not need to include the `---` separator.
+
+### Body
+
+The "body" is everything below the `---` separator, and contains your prompt.
+
+At its most basic, the body can be just text.
+
+To add a system message, start the body with `<system></system>` tags like in the example above and place your system message inside.
+
+The body also supports templating with [Handlebars syntax](https://handlebarsjs.com/guide/). The following variables are currently available:
+
+- `input`: The full text from the input box in the sidebar that is sent along with the slash command
+- `diff`: The current git diff in your workspace
+
+We plan to add support soon for templating with all [context providers](../customization/context-providers.md).
+
+## Feedback
+
+If you have ideas about how to improve the `.prompt` file format, please reach out on [Discord](https://discord.gg/NWtdYexhMs).