Markdown

Markdown is simple text formatting that makes AI agent outputs look professional without complex software. Think of it as bold/italics for plain text.

What

Markdown = Text + Simple Symbols = Formatted Documents

Instead of clicking buttons, you add symbols to text that automatically become formatting.

You Type

**Important Customer**
- High priority
- Requires immediate response

You Get

Important Customer

• High priority
• Requires immediate response

Why It Matters: AI agents can create formatted reports, emails, and documents that look professional instantly.

Basics

Learn these 5 symbols and you’re done:

Bold Text

Type: **Important** Result: Important Use: Highlight key information

Bullet Lists

Type: - First item Result:

• First item Use: Action items, features, requirements

Headers

Type: ## Section Title Result: Large heading Use: Organize reports by section

Links

Type: [Google](https://google.com) Result: Google Use: Reference documents, websites

Code/Data

Type: `Order #12345` Result: Order #12345 Use: Order numbers, exact values

Business

Perfect for AI agents creating:

Customer Reports

## Customer Analysis: ABC Corp

**Status:** High Priority
**Account Value:** $50,000/year
**Last Contact:** January 15, 2024

### Action Items:
- Schedule quarterly review
- Update contract terms
- Assign dedicated account manager

**Risk Level:** Low - consistent payment history

Meeting Summaries

## Project Kickoff - January 20, 2024

**Attendees:** Sarah (PM), John (Dev), Mike (Client)

### Decisions Made:
- Launch date: March 1, 2024
- Budget approved: $25,000
- Weekly check-ins on Fridays

### Next Steps:
- [ ] John: Create project timeline
- [ ] Sarah: Set up client portal access
- [ ] Mike: Provide brand guidelines

Email Responses

Hi **John**,

Thanks for reaching out about order #12345. Here's your status update:

**Order Status:** Shipped
**Tracking Number:** 1Z999AA1234567890
**Expected Delivery:** Tomorrow by 5 PM

### If You Need Help:
- Call: (555) 123-4567
- Email: support@company.com

Best regards,
Customer Service Team

Templates

Copy these for your agents:

Status Reports

Create a status report in markdown format:

## [Project/Customer Name] - [Date]

**Status:** [On Track/At Risk/Delayed]
**Completion:** [X%]

### This Week:
- [Achievement 1]
- [Achievement 2]

### Next Week:
- [ ] [Task 1]
- [ ] [Task 2]

### Issues:
[Any problems or concerns]

Document Summaries

Summarize this document using markdown:

## Summary: [Document Title]

**Document Type:** [Contract/Report/Email]
**Date:** [Date]
**Key People:** [Names]

### Important Points:
- [Main point 1]
- [Main point 2]
- [Main point 3]

### Action Required:
- [ ] [What needs to happen]
- [ ] [By when]

Email Analysis

Analyze this email and format in markdown:

## Email Analysis

**From:** [Sender name]
**Subject:** [Email subject]
**Priority:** [High/Medium/Low]

### Summary:
[What they're asking for in 1-2 sentences]

### Response Required:
- [ ] [Action 1]
- [ ] [Action 2]

**Deadline:** [When they need response]

Agent

Tell your agents:

Format all responses using markdown. Use:
- **bold** for important information
- ## headers to organize sections
- - bullet lists for multiple items
- [ ] checkboxes for action items
- `backticks` for exact numbers/codes

Keep formatting simple and consistent.

Example instruction:

Read this customer email and create a markdown summary with:
1. Customer name in bold
2. Their request as a bullet list
3. Action items with checkboxes
4. Response deadline in bold

Benefits

Why Markdown Transforms Agent Outputs:

1. Professional Appearance - No more wall-of-text responses
2. Scannable Information - Headers and bullets make key points obvious
3. Action-Oriented - Checkboxes turn outputs into task lists
4. Universal - Works in emails, documents, and systems
5. No Software Needed - Just text with simple symbols

Advanced

Once you’re comfortable, add these:

Tables

| Customer | Status | Amount |
|----------|--------|---------|
| ABC Corp | Active | $5,000 |
| XYZ Inc  | Pending| $2,500 |

Quotes

> "This solution saved us 10 hours per week"
> - Sarah, Operations Manager

Multiple Levels

## Main Section
### Sub-section
- Main point
  - Supporting detail
  - Another detail

Common

“This seems like extra work…” Agents do the formatting automatically. You just specify what you want highlighted.

“When should I use markdown?” Anytime you want agent outputs to be readable: reports, emails, summaries, action lists.

“What if I mess up the symbols?” Agents can fix formatting. Just focus on organizing information clearly.

Start

Right now: Pick one agent output that’s currently hard to read (long email response, status report, document summary).

Add this to your agent instruction:

Format your response using markdown with headers,
bullet points, and bold text for key information.

Next

Related resources:

• JSON - Structure data outputs
• Prompting - Master instructions

Ready to build? Get started with your first agent

You’ve learned the concepts. Now put them to work.