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Lesson 4: Compare Prompts

Welcome to our fourth Griptape Nodes tutorial! Building on what you already know about multi-agent systems and image generation, we're diving into the exciting world of prompt engineering. You'll discover how to use ready-made solutions and create your own prompt-building workflows to get consistently better results. Plus, we'll peek behind the curtain to see how the "Enhance Prompt" feature actually works its magic!

What we'll cover

In this tutorial, we will:

  • Compare three different prompting approaches for image generation
  • Understand the "Enhance Prompt" feature
  • Learn about custom prompt enhancement flows

Navigate to the Landing Page

To begin this tutorial, return to the main landing page by clicking on the Griptape Nodes logo at the top left of the interface.

Open the Compare Prompts Example

On the landing page, locate and click on the "Compare Prompts" tile to open this example workflow.

Compare Prompts example

Understand the Workflow Structure

When the example loads, you'll see a workflow with multiple nodes:

Compare Prompts workflow

This workflow contains:

  • Two TextInput nodes
    • basic_prompt
    • detail_prompt
  • A MergeTexts node, assemble_prompt
  • Three GenerateImage nodes:
    • basic_image
    • enhanced_prompt_image
    • bespoke_prompt_image
  • An agent node, bespoke_prompt

We'll run each part of the workflow individually to compare the results of different prompting techniques.

Comparing Different Prompting Methods

Method 1: Basic Prompt

Let's start with the most straightforward approach:

Basic

  1. Locate the TextInput node with our simple prompt: "A capybara eating with utensils"

  2. Follow the connection to the first GenerateImage node

  3. Notice that Enhance Prompt is set to False on this node

  4. Run just this node by clicking the run node button at the top right of the node

Observe the resulting image. This shows how the AI interprets your direct, simple prompt.

Basic image node

Method 2: Using Enhance Prompt Feature

For the second method, we'll use the same simple prompt but using the GenerateImage's built-in pronpt enhancement:

Enhanced

  1. Find the second GenerateImage node that receives the same simple prompt

  2. Notice that Enhance Prompt is set to True on this node

  3. Run this node using the it's Run Node button

Compare this result with the first image. You should see a much more complex and artistic interpretation. The difference is striking—same simple prompt, but the enhanced version produces a significantly more detailed and visually appealing image.

Enhanced prompt image

Method 3: Bespoke Agent-Enhanced Prompt

The third method demonstrates how we can create our own custom prompt enhancement:

Bespoke

  1. Take a look at how we're using the MergeTexts node and an agent to create a prompt:

    • This detailed prompt is connected into the first input of the MergeTexts node

    Detailed instructions

    - The same simple prompt from the other examples is connected to the second input of the MergeTexts node - the "Merge Texts" node then combines these - An agent node then processes this combined prompt to generate another prompt for image generation

  2. Run the agent node

  3. Examine the output of the agent (if you want a closer look, try adding a DisplayText node and hook it up!)

Agent node output

You'll see that the agent has created a much more elaborate prompt that addresses all the specifications:

  • Unique details about the capybara
  • Specific time of day (late afternoon sunlight)
  • Depth of field information
  • Color palette guidance

  • Professional photography elements

  • Finally, run the third GenerateImage node (with "Enhance Prompt set to False). It uses this agent-enhanced prompt we just covered.

Bespoke Prompt Image

Notice how this image contains specific details and artistic elements compared to the first, but is about the same level of sophistication as the second.

Understanding What's Happening Behind the Scenes

Here's the key insight: When you toggle the Enhance Prompt"** feature to True, Griptape is automatically doing what we just demonstrated manually with the bespoke route. It is:

  1. Taking your basic prompt and a detailed prompt
  2. Running it through an agent with enhancement instructions (verbatim what we wrote)
  3. Using the enhanced output for image generation

By creating our own explicit enhancement flow, we gain full control over exactly how we want the prompt to be improved or changed.

Applications and Best Practices

Based on what we've learned, consider these approaches for your own projects:

  • Use basic prompts (with Enhance Prompt off) for quick, straightforward image generation
  • Enable "Enhance Prompt" when you want general improvements with minimal effort
  • Create custom agent-based enhancement flows when you need precise control over specific artistic elements or want to emphasize particular aspects.

Summary

In this tutorial, we covered:

  • Three different prompting approaches for image generation
  • Learned about the "Enhance Prompt" feature
  • Learned about custom prompt enhancement flows

These techniques demonstrate the power of prompt engineering—the art of crafting and refining prompts to achieve specific, high-quality outputs from AI systems.

Next Up

In the next section: Lesson 5: Build a Photography Team, we'll learn about Rulesets, Tools, and converting Agents into tools to achieve even more sophisticated coordination!