DeepSeek lessons: workflows, costs, mistakes, prompts
Reference lessons to use after the step-by-step tutorial.
Workflows
Use with existing tools
Because it's OpenAI-compatible, you can point many SDKs at its base URL.
Prompt library
Think step by step. Show the work. Finish with: FINAL ANSWER: ...Use-case playbooks
Homework check
- Ask for steps.
- Ask it to plug the answer back in.
- Check one step yourself.
API prototype
- Use the OpenAI SDK with the DeepSeek base_url.
- Log token usage.
- Compare cost with another provider.
Animated walkthrough
Animated walkthrough
Press play, or pick a chapter. Each chapter animates its steps.
Troubleshooting
I hit a limit. What now?
The API is billed per token; check the docs' pricing page before you budget. Start a new chat with a short summary instead of dragging a long one.
The answer cites a page that doesn't say that.
Treat the claim as unverified. Ask: quote the exact sentence from that page that supports this, or say it isn't there. Then open the page yourself.
It forgot my earlier instructions.
Long chats push early text out of context. Put standing instructions where DeepSeek keeps them (Keep one chat per task.) and start a fresh chat.
It agrees with everything I say.
Ask it to argue the other side and list the strongest evidence against your view, with sources.
How do I keep costs down?
The official iOS app is free. API prices change, so we don't copy them; check the docs.
Cost control
The API is billed per token; check the docs' pricing page before you budget.
- Test with the free tier on real tasks for a week first.
- Set a calendar reminder 2 days before any renewal.
- Keep one paid assistant, not three, unless each earns its place.
Prompt library: bad vs good
Bad: help me
Good: Solve this, show each step, then check the answer by plugging it back in: 3x + 7 = 25.
Why: situation, task, format and limits.
Bad: research this
Good: Find the 5 most relevant official sources from the last 12 months on [topic]. For each: title, date, link, and one sentence it actually says.
Why: asks for dated, quotable, checkable sources.
Bad: make it better
Good: Rewrite this for a busy customer: max 100 words, one ask, no jargon. Then list what you cut.
Why: a reader, a length and an audit of changes.
Bad: should I do X?
Good: List the 3 strongest reasons for and against X for someone in [situation]. Mark which reasons depend on facts I should check.
Why: balanced, and separates facts from judgement.
Privacy and safety
Check the developer name before installing; read the privacy policy before sharing anything sensitive.
- Don't paste passwords, ID numbers, card numbers or other people's private details.
- Assume the company can read and keep your chats unless its official policy says otherwise.
- For health, money or legal decisions, confirm with a professional or an official source.
Failure modes to watch
- Arithmetic slips in long derivations (ask for a self-check).
- Retired model names silently remapped (legacy names are served by the Flash model).
When to use it vs other bots
| Use DeepSeek for | Consider another bot when |
|---|---|
|
See: ChatGPT · Claude · Gemini · Perplexity · Copilot · comparison |
Leveled tutorials
Where these facts come from
- api-docs.deepseek.com: API base URLs, models, OpenAI/Anthropic compatibility
- DeepSeek on the App Store: official app, free
Checked Oct 29, 2026. Plans change, so confirm on the official page before you pay.
Next: Le Chat tutorial →