Upload a pile of documents, like proposals, reports or contracts, and get one short brief with each point tied to its source and every conflict between documents called out.
Who it is for
Anyone who has to read ten documents to make one decision or write one summary for a boss, client or board.
Tools
Claude or ChatGPT with file upload
The documents, as PDF, Word or text
Steps
Collect the documents and give each a clear file name, like vendor-a-proposal.pdf.
Upload them to one chat, or to a project if you will come back to them. Anthropic says files can go in a chat or in a project's Files section.
Paste the prompt below and say what the brief is for, such as choosing a vendor.
Read the conflicts section first. That is where the decision usually is.
Check every number in the brief against the file it cites.
Ask for a second version in the format you need, such as one page for your boss or a table.
The prompt
I uploaded [NUMBER] documents. Write one brief for this purpose: [E.G. CHOOSE A VENDOR, BRIEF MY BOSS].
Format:
1. One paragraph: the answer to my purpose, if the documents support one.
2. Each document in 2 to 3 bullet points, labeled with its file name.
3. Where documents agree.
4. Where they conflict, quoting each side with its file name.
5. What is missing that I would need to decide.
Rules: keep numbers and dates exactly as written, cite the file name for every point, and say Not stated rather than guessing.
Tips
Clear file names make the citations useful.
Ask for conflicts as quotes; summaries of conflicts tend to smooth them over.
If documents are long, ask for the brief in two passes: first per document, then combined.