PROMPTS · WORK
NotebookLM prompt: traceable decision record
Short answer
Use it to document why a decision was made, for people who join later. Paste the prompt below into the NotebookLM (Gemini Notebook) chat and replace the parts in square brackets. It tells NotebookLM to answer only from your sources, cite them and flag what they do not cover.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Works in | NotebookLM / Gemini Notebook chat, and the customise box of Studio items |
| Sources needed | The discussion threads, proposals and meeting notes behind the decision. |
| Cost | Free to copy. Saving it in the extension is free for up to 10 plain prompts. |
The prompt
Write a decision record for [DECISION]. Sections: context; the options considered; the criteria that were used; the decision; consequences accepted; what was left open. Cite the source for each option and criterion. Where the sources do not record a reason, write "reason not recorded" rather than supplying one. Use only the sources in this notebook. Cite the source for every claim. If the sources do not cover something, say "not covered in the sources" instead of filling the gap.
How to use it
- Open the notebook and tick only the sources this question is about.
- Paste the prompt into the chat and replace every part in [SQUARE BRACKETS].
- Open two or three citations in the answer to confirm they say what the answer claims.
- Save the answer as a note, then keep it: Export to GitHub as Markdown.
Adapt it
- Use your team ADR template headings.
- Ask what would cause the decision to be revisited.
NotebookLM can misread or over-generalise a source. A prompt reduces that; it does not remove it. Check cited passages before you rely on an answer.
Free or Pro?
Free, with no daily export quota and no website account needed. Pro covers the extension only; it does not include a Google subscription or raise NotebookLM's own limits. Current prices are on the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
What should be in the notebook before I use the traceable decision record prompt?
The discussion threads, proposals and meeting notes behind the decision.
Why does the prompt ask NotebookLM to say what is not covered?
Because a grounded tool is most useful when it shows the edges of your sources. An explicit instruction to flag gaps reduces confident answers that the sources do not support.
Does this prompt work in Gemini Notebook?
Yes. Gemini Notebook is the new name of NotebookLM since July 16, 2026. The chat works the same way: it answers from the sources you select.
Related guides
GitHub renders Markdown, so NotebookLM notes, reports and tables exported to Markdown with NotebookLM Ultra Exporter can be committed to a repository as.
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