When to stop researching and decide

Q: Do I need to pay to use it?

No. This prompt is in the free tier and is shown in full.

I am gathering information for {{decision}} and have spent {{time}}.

Copy this prompt

I am gathering information for {{decision}} and have spent {{time}}. Tell me whether to stop: (1) list the remaining unknowns, ranked by impact times cost-to-obtain; (2) identify which unknowns do not actually affect the choice, since either answer leads to the same pick; (3) state a sufficiency test — I can decide once I can articulate three reasons; (4) estimate the marginal value of more research against its opportunity cost; (5) set a hard deadline and the action required after it.

How to use it

Replace the {{variables}} with your own details, then paste the whole block into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any other assistant. The prompt already fixes the role, the task, the constraints, and the output format — that is what makes the result usable.

Chinese version

我在为 {{决策}} 收集信息，已经调研了 {{时长}}。请帮我判断该不该停了：1) 列出还可能影响结论的关键未知项，按「影响大小×获取难度」排序；2) 判断哪些未知其实不影响决策（无论答案如何，我选同一个）；3) 给出「够用了」的判据——当我能说清三个理由时就可以决定；4) 估算继续调研的边际收益和机会成本；5) 给一个硬性截止时间和那之后必须执行的动作。

FAQ

What is this prompt for?

I am gathering information for {{decision}} and have spent {{time}}.

Do I need to pay to use it?

No — this prompt is in the free tier and is shown in full.

Does it work with any AI model?

Yes. It is plain text, so it works with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and any other assistant.