I downloaded all of them. Maybe I’ll even make a Notion database. And six months from now, I'll realize you used the same two files over and over and forgot the rest existed.
The last line is: "Your taste is what makes the output something worth reading."
That's the sentence everyone will skip past to get to the download link. And it's the only sentence that matters.
You don’t have to create the Notion database. Connect Notion to Claude, then tell Claude to save it in Notion. It will figure out the best way to save it. I’ve built a whole second brain this way without writing a single word. Claude does research, send to Notion. A product update? Update the file in Notion. A content pipeline? Generate 30 topics on X and save it in a Notion database. Magic.
Agreed. 1M tokens is wild. But does more context ever start diluting clarity? How does one avoid context bloat when you can technically upload everything? 🤔
I have used the phrase 'existential crisis' more in 2026 than I have in all my previous 46 years on the planet (now that I'm training and consulting in AI adoption I'm spending so much time swimming in the latest AI developments that I'm having an existential crisis every morning). The good news is I've managed to reduce my recovery time to about 60mins (or until I read something else and off I go again into the depths). Is 60mins recovery from existential crisis good? is this the new metric to track?
The fact that you've built a process to recover at all puts you ahead of most.
You're not alone in the daily spiral. I feel it sometimes, too. I even wrote this piece, which I think would interest you: https://ruben.substack.com/p/slow
Even learning how to use the .md files and Notion effectively was my win from 2025. I do love an organized file system, but it is only good if you can search or find them. Thank you Reuben, Perfect recap of what is happening here.
Ruben - You're posting excellent info and providing strong value for your readers.
This shift from static prompts into 'interviews' and providing strong context - before allowing it to think or respond - is bound to produce the kind of results people have been seeking.
The only point I would add for your readers is that Markdown files are inherently far SMALLER than other formats (saves tokens - and room on your computer, right?), LLM's prefer .md files as well.
The .md files are amazing. I have gone through the 100 questions, and they almost felt like a psychological interview. 😉 One question about the Marketing Genius.md: Is there any smart way to quickly summarize the main frameworks etc. to ANY theme? I guess it's not taking photos of every single page in every single book I would like to have in my digital stash. 😅
Wow, completely new to ai and I've learnt so much in a couple of articles! You write so well and clearly, my friend, and it's all free to read. What a magic combination ! You have so many followers because you give so much value! (Like Tony Robbins says 😊) I particularly like that you play like a kid ☺️🙃🙂 Always good advice! 🤸♂️
Oh, idk because I'm so new to ai and don't really need to implement yet but my close computer phobic friend does and I will soon no doubt, I guess an article for complete beginners might be helpful? What to do, how to start. Eg my friend is thinking he needs a subscription to ChatGPT but is it best way to start now? Thanks, man, for any advice, you're the best x
Personally, I've always 'hated' the 'act as ___ expert prompts'. They never worked the way I hoped or expected.
So your post is timely and it meets me (and many others) right where we are - ready to try something new.
Although this post is speaking specifically to Claude - I'll be the first to say that investing in Claude skills in 2026 is only going to level up your professional competencies given their success in enterprise integrations.
These .md files became my new prompt folder.
I downloaded all of them. Maybe I’ll even make a Notion database. And six months from now, I'll realize you used the same two files over and over and forgot the rest existed.
The last line is: "Your taste is what makes the output something worth reading."
That's the sentence everyone will skip past to get to the download link. And it's the only sentence that matters.
I can’t prompt without it. THIS is the prompt now.
You don’t have to create the Notion database. Connect Notion to Claude, then tell Claude to save it in Notion. It will figure out the best way to save it. I’ve built a whole second brain this way without writing a single word. Claude does research, send to Notion. A product update? Update the file in Notion. A content pipeline? Generate 30 topics on X and save it in a Notion database. Magic.
Context is for kings.. this was helpful.
it’s all that really matters - and people grossly underestimate how much we can input inside an AI (today).
1 million tokens is insane. Like, many books.
Agreed. 1M tokens is wild. But does more context ever start diluting clarity? How does one avoid context bloat when you can technically upload everything? 🤔
Yes you shouldn’t use the 1 million (entirely).
But massive md. files is fine.
Huh! So this is how you fixed the prompt chaos . 🤝Thanks Ruben. This is helpful.
I'm happy I can help. Good luck now.
Thank you for sharing, Ruben! AI vibe creation is game changing.
It's happening at break necking speed
I have used the phrase 'existential crisis' more in 2026 than I have in all my previous 46 years on the planet (now that I'm training and consulting in AI adoption I'm spending so much time swimming in the latest AI developments that I'm having an existential crisis every morning). The good news is I've managed to reduce my recovery time to about 60mins (or until I read something else and off I go again into the depths). Is 60mins recovery from existential crisis good? is this the new metric to track?
The fact that you've built a process to recover at all puts you ahead of most.
You're not alone in the daily spiral. I feel it sometimes, too. I even wrote this piece, which I think would interest you: https://ruben.substack.com/p/slow
Thank you; that was a good read. Really helped me ☺️
This post just saved me hours of my time, bless you!
Makes me happy to know :)
„Gustul tău este cel care face ca rezultatul să merite citit.”
Just a text file, a conversation, and you.
Even learning how to use the .md files and Notion effectively was my win from 2025. I do love an organized file system, but it is only good if you can search or find them. Thank you Reuben, Perfect recap of what is happening here.
It goes very fast, but I'm out there making sure we are all on top of it!
Ruben - You're posting excellent info and providing strong value for your readers.
This shift from static prompts into 'interviews' and providing strong context - before allowing it to think or respond - is bound to produce the kind of results people have been seeking.
The only point I would add for your readers is that Markdown files are inherently far SMALLER than other formats (saves tokens - and room on your computer, right?), LLM's prefer .md files as well.
THANKS.
The core shift really is this: we went from crafting elaborate prompts to simply having conversations backed by the right files.
context (your .md files) + chat (a real conversation). That's it.
And yes - LLMs parse .md files beautifully.
The .md files are amazing. I have gone through the 100 questions, and they almost felt like a psychological interview. 😉 One question about the Marketing Genius.md: Is there any smart way to quickly summarize the main frameworks etc. to ANY theme? I guess it's not taking photos of every single page in every single book I would like to have in my digital stash. 😅
You can upload the PDFs, link URLs, or let Claude use web search to find the content, then prompt it.
Wow, completely new to ai and I've learnt so much in a couple of articles! You write so well and clearly, my friend, and it's all free to read. What a magic combination ! You have so many followers because you give so much value! (Like Tony Robbins says 😊) I particularly like that you play like a kid ☺️🙃🙂 Always good advice! 🤸♂️
This really means a lot :) I love sharing free content as much as I can.
Stay curious, experiment without fear, and not overthink it.
Any preference for future newsletters?
Oh, idk because I'm so new to ai and don't really need to implement yet but my close computer phobic friend does and I will soon no doubt, I guess an article for complete beginners might be helpful? What to do, how to start. Eg my friend is thinking he needs a subscription to ChatGPT but is it best way to start now? Thanks, man, for any advice, you're the best x
مقال ممتاز و يغير قواعد اللعبه بالكامل
Really glad it resonates!!
Thank you Ruben. This is great.
Happy to help. Go make your own now.
ครับคุงครับ🙏👌
Thanks for giving it a read :)
Ruben, 1) why claude web and not desktop? 2) why cowork and not projects?
1) both, I prefer the app, there is cowork 2) it's better, made for it, like an upgrade
If you had to create a 5-session course (in-person) would you go about it in Projects or Cowork? :D
Personally, I've always 'hated' the 'act as ___ expert prompts'. They never worked the way I hoped or expected.
So your post is timely and it meets me (and many others) right where we are - ready to try something new.
Although this post is speaking specifically to Claude - I'll be the first to say that investing in Claude skills in 2026 is only going to level up your professional competencies given their success in enterprise integrations.
It works everywhere, but I just love Claude these past few weeks