Output Format Specification

Output format specification defines the exact structure of the desired response. By explicitly describing how the output should be formatted, you get consistent, predictable results that are easier to parse and process.

Format specification is critical for applications that need to programmatically consume LLM outputs.

• Structure definition: Specifying sections, order, and hierarchy
• Format types: JSON, XML, Markdown, plain text, tables
• Field requirements: Required vs optional fields
• Example provision: Showing exactly what output should look like