How to Build a Free Chatbot Using Prompt Engineering (No Coding Needed)

Before You Begin — See What I Built

Check out the chatbot I created here: AI Informer. Use it as inspiration or a reference as you build your own.

1. Sign Up on Poe.com

Head over to https://poe.com and create a free account. It’s quick and doesn’t require a ChatGPT Plus subscription.

2. Start a New Bot (Prompt Bot)

Once you're signed in, click your profile and select "Create a Bot". Choose the Prompt Bot option to build a custom chatbot using instructions.

3. Give Your Bot a Unique Name

Pick a name that clearly reflects your chatbot’s theme or personality. For example: AI Trends Guide, Tech Chat Mentor, or Ask Me AI.

4. Write a Clear Description

Help users understand what your chatbot does by writing a short, friendly description. This appears on the bot’s profile and sets expectations.

5. Select a Free Base Model

For free usage, choose GPT-3.5-Turbo (sometimes labeled as ChatGPT or Sage, depending on Poe's interface). This keeps everything accessible without requiring Poe Pro.

6. Craft a Powerful Prompt

Write a thoughtful prompt that defines your chatbot’s behavior and tone.

7. Add a Knowledge Base (Optional)

If the platform supports it, upload files or documents to expand your bot’s knowledge. This makes answers more detailed and personalized.

8. Set a Greeting Message

Customize the first thing users see when they interact with your bot. A warm, clear greeting improves engagement right away.

9. Explore Advanced Settings

Fine-tune how your bot behaves — such as response style, visibility, or default behavior — by adjusting the advanced options.

10. Create a Visual Identity

Design or generate an avatar or banner image for your chatbot. A friendly, visually engaging image can boost clicks and user trust.

11. Publish and Share

Once you're happy with the setup, publish your chatbot and share the link with your audience, on your blog, or via social media.