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Stop "Prompting" like a Tourist. Start Engineering like a Local.

"Draft a contract" is not a prompt. It's a wish. Here is the RACEF framework we use.

Feb 13, 2026 • The Legal Engineer

Most lawyers use AI like a slot machine. They pull the handle (type a short prompt) and hope for a jackpot.

Engineers use AI like a compiler. They write precise code to get a precise output.

To move from Tourist to Engineer, you need a framework. At Workmachine, we use RACEF.

R - Role

Tell the AI who it is. "You are a Senior Commercial Attorney in South Africa specializing in mining law."

A - Action

Use a strong verb. "Draft a clause," "Summarize this judgment," "Extract all dates."

C - Context

Give it the facts. "The client is the seller. The buyer is a foreign entity. The deal is valued at R50m."

E - Example

Show it what good looks like. "Use the tone of the attached sample. Follow this format: [Date] [Summary] [Risk Rating]."

F - Format

Specify the output. "Output as a markdown table," "Output as a JSON object," "Output as a formal letter in plain English."

The Difference?

Tourist: "Write a sale agreement."

Engineer: "Act as a Conveyancer. Draft a sale of property agreement (Action) for a sectional title unit in Cape Town (Context). Use the standard Proxi Deed definitions (Example). Output in clean HTML for my website (Format)."

Stop wishing. Start engineering.

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