# <example> tag — Claude XML prompting reference

> How to use the <example> XML tag in Claude prompts: when to use it, when not to, minimal and full examples, common mistakes.
>
> Source: https://claudexml.com/tags/example/ · Last updated 2026-05-25

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# <example> — when and how to use it in Claude prompts

    Use one or more  tags (usually inside ) for few-shot prompting.

    A single input/output demonstration. Usually nested inside `<examples>`.


## When to use `<example>`


- Few-shot prompting — showing the model 1–5 demonstrations before the live input.
- Anchoring an unusual output format that's hard to describe in prose.


## When not to use it


- Don't use a single `<example>` when zero-shot works — adding examples narrows the model's distribution and can hurt edge-case handling.
- Don't put real user data in examples; the model may pattern-match and leak details.


## Minimal example


```xml
<example>
  <input>The food was cold and the waiter was rude.</input>
  <output>negative</output>
</example>
```


## Full example


```xml
<instructions>
Classify customer reviews as positive, neutral, or negative. Return only the label.
</instructions>

<examples>
  <example>
    <input>Loved the new menu, will be back!</input>
    <output>positive</output>
  </example>
  <example>
    <input>Service was okay, food was okay.</input>
    <output>neutral</output>
  </example>
  <example>
    <input>Waited 40 minutes for cold food.</input>
    <output>negative</output>
  </example>
</examples>

<review>{{ user_review }}</review>
```


## Common mistakes


- Wrapping the I/O directly with no `<input>`/`<output>` structure — Claude can usually figure it out, but the structured form is more reliable.
- Making examples that don't span the real distribution (e.g., all positive). Examples set Claude's prior; skew them and outputs skew with them.


Cite this page

`<example> — When and How to Use in Claude Prompts. claudexml.com. https://claudexml.com/tags/example/`