# Wordflow: Social Prompt Engineering for Large Language Models

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.14447 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2401.14447/

## Key facts

- Cited by 9 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 21 of its 67 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 25 Jan 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 21 of 21)

- [Language Models are Few-Shot Learners](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2005.14165/) (2020)
- [Training language models to follow instructions with human feedback](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2203.02155/) (2022)
- [Llama 2: Open Foundation and Fine-Tuned Chat Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2307.09288/) (2023)
- [Large Language Models are Zero-Shot Reasoners](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2205.11916/) (2022)
- [Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2307.05782/) (2023)
- [TinyLlama: An Open-Source Small Language Model](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2401.02385/) (2024)
- [DiffusionDB: A Large-scale Prompt Gallery Dataset for Text-to-Image Generative Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2210.14896/) (2022)
- [Can Generalist Foundation Models Outcompete Special-Purpose Tuning? Case Study in Medicine](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2311.16452/) (2023)
- [PromptSource: An Integrated Development Environment and Repository for Natural Language Prompts](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2202.01279/) (2022)
- [AI Chains: Transparent and Controllable Human-AI Interaction by Chaining Large Language Model Prompts](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2110.01691/) (2021)
- [Efficient Guided Generation for Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2307.09702/) (2023)
- [Sociotechnical Safety Evaluation of Generative AI Systems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.11986/) (2023)
- [PromptChainer: Chaining Large Language Model Prompts through Visual Programming](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2203.06566/) (2022)
- [ChainForge: A Visual Toolkit for Prompt Engineering and LLM Hypothesis Testing](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.09128/) (2023)
- [Interactive and Visual Prompt Engineering for Ad-hoc Task Adaptation with Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2208.07852/) (2022)
- [A Taxonomy of Prompt Modifiers for Text-To-Image Generation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2204.13988/) (2022)
- [Prompt Sapper: A LLM-Empowered Production Tool for Building AI Chains](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.12028/) (2023)
- [Model Compression in Practice: Lessons Learned from Practitioners Creating On-device Machine Learning Experiences](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.04621/) (2023)
- [PromptAid: Prompt Exploration, Perturbation, Testing and Iteration using Visual Analytics for Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2304.01964/) (2023)
- [CoPrompt: Supporting Prompt Sharing and Referring in Collaborative Natural Language Programming](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.09235/) (2023)
- [Revisiting Prompt Engineering via Declarative Crowdsourcing](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2308.03854/) (2023)

## Built on by (most cited first, 9 of 9)

- [Farsight: Fostering Responsible AI Awareness During AI Application Prototyping](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2402.15350/) (2024)
- [Prompts Are Programs Too! Understanding How Developers Build Software Containing Prompts](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2409.12447/) (2024)
- [GhostWriter: Augmenting Collaborative Human-AI Writing Experiences Through Personalization and Agency](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2402.08855/) (2024)
- [MeMemo: On-device Retrieval Augmentation for Private and Personalized Text Generation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.01972/) (2024)
- [Can LLMs Understand Computer Networks? Towards a Virtual System Administrator](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.12689/) (2024)
- [PromptHive: Bringing Subject Matter Experts Back to the Forefront with Collaborative Prompt Engineering for Educational Content Creation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2410.16547/) (2024)
- [ICLShield: Exploring and Mitigating In-Context Learning Backdoor Attacks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.01321/) (2025)
- [Reflexive Prompt Engineering: A Framework for Responsible Prompt Engineering and Interaction Design](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.16204/) (2025)
- [Botender: Supporting Communities in Collaboratively Designing AI Agents through Case-Based Provocations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2509.25492/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Large language models (LLMs) require well-crafted prompts for effective use. Prompt engineering, the process of designing prompts, is challenging, particularly for non-experts who are less familiar with AI technologies. While researchers have proposed techniques and tools to assist LLM users in prompt design, these works primarily target AI application developers rather than non-experts. To address this research gap, we propose social prompt engineering, a novel paradigm that leverages social computing techniques to facilitate collaborative prompt design. To investigate social prompt engineering, we introduce Wordflow, an open-source and social text editor that enables everyday users to easily create, run, share, and discover LLM prompts. Additionally, by leveraging modern web technologies, Wordflow allows users to run LLMs locally and privately in their browsers. Two usage scenarios highlight how social prompt engineering and our tool can enhance laypeople's interaction with LLMs. Wordflow is publicly accessible at https://poloclub.github.io/wordflow.