Tiny Bytes
This week: build a countdown to Christmas (or anything you like), then share it with one link.
The main build
A countdown page for anything
Christmas, a birthday, a holiday, the day your new puppy arrives. In three prompts you'll have a page you can share with a link.
Ask for the page
Your promptMake me a countdown page to Christmas Day for my family. It should show days, hours and minutes, feel cosy and festive, and work well on a phone.
TipMost AI apps can show the page right in the chat. Look for a canvas, artifact or preview option.
In ChatGPTIt writes the page as code in the chat. If you see a Preview option, use it. If not, step 3 shows you how to open it as a real page.
In ClaudeThe finished page appears as an artifact beside the chat, ready to try straight away.
In GeminiBefore you send, tap Canvas under the message box. Gemini then builds the page in its Canvas panel, where you can try it.
In CopilotUse Microsoft 365 Copilot (a work or school account, or a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family plan). Include the word "interactive" and it builds a Page. Switch on Preview to try it.
Make it yours
Ask for one change at a time. Small requests get better results than a long list.
Your promptAdd a line underneath that says "Mince pies at Grandma's!" and make the numbers bigger.
First version After your follow-up Share it
TipUse your app's share or publish option to get a link, then drop it in your group chat.
In ChatGPTChatGPT's share links show the code, not a working page. Copy the code, save it in a file called countdown.html, then upload it to a free hosting site such as Netlify Drop or Tiiny Host to get a link anyone can open.
In ClaudeUse Publish or Share on the artifact to get a link. Anyone with the link can open your page.
In GeminiClick Share & export at the top of the Canvas panel, then Share, and copy the link. It opens in a web browser rather than the Gemini app.
In CopilotUse Share on the Page to invite people. They'll usually need a Microsoft account to open it.
Try it: this is roughly what you'll get
Prompt makeover
Same request, much better result
Write a meal plan.
What you'll probably get back
- Monday: Pasta
- Tuesday: Stir-fry
- Wednesday: Chicken salad
- …and a lot of guessing
The AI has to guess everything: how many people, what you like, your budget, how much time you have. You'll get something generic.
Plan 5 weekday dinners for a family of four. Two kids who hate mushrooms, one vegetarian adult. Each meal under 30 minutes. End with one combined shopping list grouped by supermarket aisle.
- Who it's for: four people, with real likes and dislikes.
- The limits: weekdays, under 30 minutes.
- The shape of the answer: a shopping list you can actually use.
What you'll get back
Peppers, sweet potatoes, spinach, onions
Halloumi, chicken, mozzarella, pesto
Wraps, pasta, coconut milk, pizza bases
Feature in 60 seconds
Projects: stop repeating yourself
A project is a folder for related chats. Add files and instructions once, such as your business details or how you like things written, and every new chat in that project starts with them already in mind.
Add once
Every new chat already knows it
Where to find itChatGPT and Claude both call them Projects, and Gemini has its own version called Gems.
In ChatGPTFind Projects in the sidebar and create a new one.
In ClaudeFind Projects in the sidebar and create a new one.
In GeminiThe closest match is Gems, custom helpers that keep your instructions and files.
In CopilotMicrosoft 365 Copilot has Notebooks, which gather your files and notes for related chats.
Try it for: a side business, a house renovation, or planning a big trip.
Names, features and limits vary by app and plan, so check what yours includes.
When it goes wrong
You asked for a chart and got a wall of text
Reader challenge
Make a page that picks dinner for you
Build a page with a big button that picks tonight's dinner from your family's favourites, then show us what you made. The best ones feature in a future issue.
Upload a screenshot straight from your phone, or paste a link to your page. Takes 30 seconds.
One build. Every Saturday.
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