TLDR Email Prompt: Summarize Long Messages into Actions

Create a TL;DR summary of this email. Include:
- Main point (one sentence: what does this email need from me?)
- My actions (bullet list with deadlines if mentioned)
- Key dates (chronological list)
- Others' actions (who is doing what and when)
- Reply draft (2-3 sentences, only if email asks for response)

Keep total summary under 100 words. Use bullets. Bold any dates.

Email:
[PASTE YOUR EMAIL HERE]

After you paste your email, the AI will:

1. Extract the core request in one clear sentence
2. List your actions with deadlines (if mentioned)
3. Call out key dates so you can calendar them fast
4. Draft a quick reply if a response is needed

What to expect: You’ll get the main point, your tasks, and a ready-to-send reply without wading through every paragraph.

What you’re trying to read:

Subject: Q4 Wrap-Up + Launch Next Steps

Team,

Great work on Q3. Two items need quick attention. First, launch timeline: We’re still set for Nov 3. Design will hand off assets by Oct 20. Marketing needs final copy locked by Oct 18. If copy isn’t ready, we slip. Second, customer webinar: Our speaker confirmed for Nov 7. We need a dry run Nov 4. Please send your slides by Nov 1.

Ryan — can you: (a) confirm if the landing page copy will be final by Oct 18, and (b) approve the webinar title by tomorrow EOD? Also, FYI, Finance is pushing 1 new vendor form. Link below.

Thanks! Maya

What you get with TL;DR:

Main point: Confirm landing page copy deadline and approve the webinar title by tomorrow.

My actions:

• Confirm landing page copy final by Oct 18
• Approve webinar title by tomorrow EOD

Key dates:

• Oct 18: Final marketing copy due
• Oct 20: Design asset handoff
• Nov 1: Slides due (team)
• Nov 3: Launch date
• Nov 4: Webinar dry run
• Nov 7: Customer webinar

Others doing:

• Design: Assets by Oct 20
• Team: Slides by Nov 1

Reply draft: “Copy will be final by Oct 18, and I’ll approve the webinar title by tomorrow EOD. Please resend the vendor form link.”

Say this into your phone or computer:

“TL;DR this email my actions first” (then paste or read the email)

Variations for Different Situations

For Threads with 10+ Messages

TL;DR only the LATEST message in this thread. Ignore quoted replies.

Include:
- Main point
- My actions with deadlines
- Key dates
- Others' actions

[PASTE THREAD]

For Meeting Notes Email

TL;DR these meeting notes. Focus on:
- Decisions made
- Action items assigned to me
- Follow-up dates

[PASTE NOTES]

For Emails with Multiple Requests

TL;DR this email. Number each separate request and show:
- Request #1: [summary] → My action: [what to do]
- Request #2: [summary] → My action: [what to do]

[PASTE EMAIL]

For Newsletters or Updates

TL;DR this update. Show only:
- What changed
- Does this affect me? (yes/no + why)
- Any action needed

[PASTE UPDATE]

Pro Tips

• Flag urgency: Add: “Mark anything that needs attention right away with 🔴.”
• Catch unclear asks: Add: “If any request is unclear, list it under ‘Need clarification.’”
• Highlight decisions: Add: “If this email wants me to decide something, state the decision and list two pros/cons.”
• Skip the reply: Add: “No reply draft needed.” at the end of your prompt.

Quick Reference

Why This Works

The “TL;DR” trigger:

• Internet shorthand for “Too Long; Didn’t Read”
• AI recognizes it as an executive-summary request
• Forces brevity and action focus
• Skips background and surfaces what matters

The psychology:

• Five bullets are easier than fifteen paragraphs
• Separating action items reduces cognitive load
• Pre-drafted replies remove “what do I say back?” anxiety

Works across all AI platforms:

• ChatGPT (free or paid)
• Claude (free or paid)
• Microsoft Copilot
• Google Gemini

Troubleshooting

“The summary is still too long.”

• Add: “Maximum 75 words total.”
• Or: “Use only bullet points, no sentences.”

“It missed key details.”

• Add: “Include all dates, names, and dollar amounts mentioned.”
• Or: Run again with: “What details did you miss?” followed by the email.

“Reply draft doesn’t match my tone.”

• Add: “Reply tone: [friendly/formal/direct].”
• Or: “Reply draft should sound casual, like texting a coworker.”

“AI included too much background.”

• Add: “Skip all context and history. Only new information and requests.”
• Or: Use the thread variation to limit scope.