Use this procedure when you want a model to self-verify a drafted answer via verification questions and independent answers, then produce a revised final answer.
Canonical links
- Prompt block (copy/paste): chain-of-verification.system.txt
- Reference (concepts + sources): Chain-of-Verification (CoVe)
- Policy (normative): Chain-of-Verification (CoVe) — policy
Procedure
1) Select an evidence policy first (Mode A or Mode B), then apply CoVe:
- Mode A (Artifacts-only): requires all claims to be grounded in provided artifacts.
- Mode B (External verification allowed): allows formal external sources with citations.
2) Paste the CoVe prompt block as SYSTEM/DEVELOPER instructions.
3) Provide the user task input.
- If the active evidence policy requires citations, include the allowed sources (or allow web browsing, if that policy permits it).
4) Enforce the output sections: 1) DRAFT 2) VERIFICATION_QUESTIONS 3) VERIFICATION_ANSWERS 4) FINAL
5) Fail closed if evidence is missing.
- Use the active evidence policy’s defined failure behavior.
Notes
- CoVe is a procedure; evidence requirements (what counts as a supported claim) are governed by the active evidence policy.