UCPL - Ultra-Compact Prompt Language
Write powerful AI prompts with 90% less tokens using UCPL's compact syntax.
What is UCPL?
UCPL (Ultra-Compact Prompt Language) is a specialized language for writing token-efficient AI prompts. Instead of verbose natural language instructions, UCPL uses compact directives, operators, and workflows to express complex prompting logic.
Features
- Syntax Highlighting - Full syntax coloring for UCPL directives, constraints, and operators
- IntelliSense - Smart autocomplete for all UCPL syntax elements
- Code Snippets - Quick templates for common patterns (workflows, macros, tasks)
- Hover Documentation - Inline help and syntax explanations
- Go to Definition - Jump to macro definitions with F12
- Bracket Matching - Auto-close and highlight matching brackets
Quick Start
- Create a new file with
.ucpl extension
- Start with the YAML header:
---
format: ucpl
version: 1.1
---
- Use IntelliSense (Ctrl+Space) to explore available directives
Example: Simple Task
---
format: ucpl
version: 1.1
---
@role:developer
@task:refactor|optimize
@scope:auth_module
!preserve_functionality
!add_tests
@out:code+tests
This expands to: "You are a developer. Refactor and optimize the auth_module. You MUST preserve functionality and add tests. Output code and tests."
Core Syntax
Directives
@role:X - Set the AI role (e.g., @role:developer)@task:X|Y - Define task with focus areas@scope:X - Limit work to specific area@out:X+Y - Specify output format
Constraints
!X - MUST do X (mandatory)?X - OPTIONAL: X (nice-to-have)~X - AVOID: X (discouraged)
Operators
& - AND (all conditions)|| - OR (any condition)> - Output to / then do^X - Focus on / prioritize X
Workflows
@workflow:
@chain:
1.step_one
2.step_two
3.step_three
Macros (Reusable Functions)
@def validate:
@task:check|syntax|types
!fail_fast
@out:error_report
@use validate > $results
Using Snippets
Type ucpl- and press Ctrl+Space to see all available snippets:
ucpl-task - Basic task templateucpl-workflow - Sequential workflowucpl-macro - Macro definitionucpl-conditional - If/else logicucpl-loop - Loop structureucpl-full - Complete UCPL template
Tips
- Always start with YAML header - The header identifies your file as UCPL
- Use IntelliSense - Press Ctrl+Space anywhere to get context-aware suggestions
- Hover for help - Hover over any directive to see documentation
- Use snippets - Type
ucpl- to quickly scaffold common patterns
- Jump to definitions - Press F12 on
@use to jump to macro definitions
More Examples
---
format: ucpl
version: 1.1
---
@role:researcher
@task:investigate|comprehensive
@@search:web[query="AI prompt optimization", recent=true]
@@think:deep[steps=10]
@out:markdown+citations
Conditional Workflow
---
format: ucpl
version: 1.1
---
@workflow:
@chain:
1.@task:analyze_code > $issues
2.@if $issues.critical>0:
@task:fix_critical & !run_tests
3.@task:generate_report
Learn More
Contributing
For development setup and contribution guidelines, see DEVELOPMENT.md.
License
MIT - See LICENSE
