Shopping list: how to set up an AI task
The "Shopping list" tool combines ingredients from multiple dishes into one grouped list with quantities where possible. To make the result accurate and convenient, it is important to fill in the fields correctly and formulate the task. In this article we will look at what data the tool needs, how to describe dishes and portions, how to set the output format and what to pay attention to when checking.
Open tool: Shopping list maker ↗Tool purpose and form fields
The "Shopping list" tool works with text only: you describe dishes or a list of products, and you get a grouped shopping list as output. In the web form there are two fields: "Source material" and "People or portions". Enter recipes or ingredients in the first field, and the number of people or portions in the second. The "Source material" field is limited to 8000 characters, the "People or portions" field to 1000 characters. If you have more data, split the task into several requests.
After filling in the fields, select the output language and press "Generate". The result will appear in a separate panel and can be copied or downloaded as plain text TXT. Other formats such as DOCX or PDF are not supported. The tool does not save history, does not perform batch processing and has no integrations with other applications.
The tool does not generate images, audio or video, does not recognise text from pictures and does not work with uploaded documents. All input data must be in plain text.
Source material: "Pasta with tomatoes and basil; nutt salad with tomatoes and cucumber". People or portions: "4 portions".
Context: how to describe dishes and portions
To enable the tool to correctly combine ingredients, indicate the names of dishes and their components in the source material. If exact quantities are known, be sure to include them. For example: "Pasta: 200 g spaghetti, 2 tomatoes, 10 basil leaves". The more specific the description, the more accurate the list will be.
In the second field specify how many people or portions the dishes are calculated for. This will help recalculate quantities if they are given for a different number of portions. If portions are not specified, the tool may assume standard ones, but it is better to specify them explicitly.
If you plan to cook several dishes for different meals, add this to the context: "Breakfast: oatmeal with banana; lunch: lentil soup; dinner: pasta with tomatoes". The list will then be grouped more logically.
Poor: "Make a shopping list." Good: "Combine ingredients for pasta with tomatoes and basil and nutt salad with tomatoes and cucumber for 4 portions. Group by categories: vegetables, groceries, herbs".
Goal and format: what the result should look like
Clearly describe what you want to get: a simple product list or grouped by store departments, with quantities or without. For example: "Group by categories: vegetables and fruits, groceries, dairy products, herbs. Indicate total quantity for each ingredient." The tool has no formatting settings, so all wishes must be entered in the text field.
If you need the list in alphabetical order or in the order of adding to dishes, specify this. By default the tool may give an arbitrary order. You can also ask to highlight repeated ingredients, for example: "Tomatoes appear in two dishes - combine into one line with total quantity".
Remember that the output is plain text. The tool does not create tables, does not highlight changes and does not compare versions. Everything you want to see must be described in words.
Good task: "Make a shopping list for 4 portions. Group by categories: vegetables, groceries, herbs. For each ingredient indicate total quantity. Combine tomatoes. Output as text, each item on a new line".
Limitations: what the tool does not do
The tool cannot generate images, audio or video. It does not work with photos and does not recognise text from pictures. All input data must be in text. There is also no possibility to upload documents, use OCR or connect external services.
No batch processing: only one set of dishes can be processed at a time. No automatic saving, query history and no integrations with other applications. Export is possible only in TXT. No registration and no premium plan.
Model may make mistakes: for example, incorrectly recalculate quantities or skip an ingredient. Always check the result manually. Service availability may change, queues may occur.
Do not try to upload a photo of a recipe - the tool does not recognise images. Insert text manually.
Example: from poor task to good
Poor task: "Make a shopping list for pasta and salad". No quantities, portions, format or grouping are specified. The tool may give a general list without details.
Good task: "Source material: Pasta with tomatoes and basil: 200 g spaghetti, 2 tomatoes, 10 basil leaves, 2 tbsp olive oil. Nutt salad with tomatoes and cucumber: 1 can of nutt (400 g), 2 tomatoes, 1 cucumber, 1 tbsp olive oil, salt. People or portions: 4 portions. Goal: combine ingredients into one list, group by categories (vegetables, groceries, herbs, oils), indicate total quantity for each product. Combine tomatoes. Format: text list, each item on a new line". This task gives the tool all the necessary information.
As a result you will get something like: "Vegetables: tomatoes - 4 pcs., cucumbers - 1 pc. Groceries: spaghetti - 200 g, nutt - 400 g. Herbs: basil - 10 leaves. Oils: olive oil - 3 tbsp". This is an example, the actual output may differ.
Poor: "Shopping list for dinner". Good: "Combine ingredients for pasta and salad for 4 portions, group by categories, indicate total quantity, combine tomatoes".
How to check the result
After generation carefully read the list. Make sure all ingredients from the source material are present. Check that quantities have been correctly recalculated for the specified number of portions. If grouping was requested in the task, check that categories are logical and do not overlap.
Compare quantities with the original data. For example, if there were 2 tomatoes in the pasta and 2 in the salad, the total should be 4 tomatoes in the list. If the tool made a mistake, try rephrasing the task, specifying details. You can break a complex request into several simpler ones.
Remember that the tool does not guarantee a perfect result. It only helps automate routine work. The final decision is always yours.
Check: in the pasta there are 2 tomatoes, in the salad 2 tomatoes - in the list there should be 4 tomatoes.
The "Shopping list" tool saves time if the task is set up correctly. Specify context, goal, format and limitations. Use examples as a template. Check the result and remember the limitations: text only, no images or audio, export to TXT only, possible errors. Following these recommendations, you will get an accurate and convenient shopping list.
Open tool: Shopping list maker ↗Interface translations are machine-assisted and may need refinement.