Gemini lessons: workflows, plans, mistakes, prompt library
Reference lessons to use after the step-by-step tutorial.
Workflows
Inbox triage (paid)
- "List unanswered emails from clients this week."
- Check 3 of them.
- "Draft replies; don't send."
Big document set
- Upload the files.
- "Make a deadline table with file and page."
Plans compared
| Free | Plus | Pro | Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limits | Base | 2x | 4x | 5x or 20x Pro |
| Storage | 15 GB | 400 GB | 5 TB | From 20 TB |
| Gmail/Docs | — | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mistakes and fixes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Missed emails | Ask for the list it used |
| Unchecked numbers | Open the sources |
| Wrong account type | Use a personal account |
Prompt library
Gem instructions:
You help me write property listings.
Always: 120 words max, list beds/baths/sq ft first, no superlatives.
Ask me for missing facts instead of inventing them.Use-case playbooks
Deadline sweep across PDFs
- Upload the files.
- Ask for deadlines with file and page.
- Check two pages yourself.
Inbox catch-up (paid)
- Ask for unanswered emails from this week with sender and date.
- Ask it to list the emails it read.
- Reply yourself.
A Gem for a weekly task
- Write the instructions once.
- Include the output format.
- Test it on last week's input.
Animated walkthrough
Animated walkthrough
Press play, or pick a chapter. Each chapter animates its steps.
Troubleshooting
I hit a limit. What now?
Limits refresh every 5 hours, up to a weekly cap; AI credits can extend them. Plus gives 2x Free limits and Pro 4x (Google). 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 Gemini keeps them (Gems for repeated tasks. Deep Research, Gemini Live, Canvas and Gems are all on Free (Google).) 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?
Ultra is $99.99/mo or $199.99/mo per Google; Plus and Pro prices didn't show as readable text when we checked, so look at checkout. Google doesn't refund partial billing periods.
Cost control
Limits refresh every 5 hours, up to a weekly cap; AI credits can extend them. Plus gives 2x Free limits and Pro 4x (Google).
- 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: From these 3 PDFs: list every deadline with file name and page. Mark conflicts between files.
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
Gemini Apps Activity (choose whether chats are kept) and Gems (saved assistants with your instructions).
- 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
- Summaries that skip the one email that mattered.
- Mixing facts across several uploaded files.
- Out-of-date facts when it didn't search.
When to use it vs other bots
| Use Gemini for | Consider another bot when |
|---|---|
|
See: ChatGPT · Claude · Perplexity · Copilot · comparison |
Leveled tutorials
Where these facts come from
- gemini.google/subscriptions: plans, limits, storage, Ultra prices, uploads, refunds and age rules
- support.google.com/gemini: help center (reachable)
Checked Oct 29, 2026. Plans change, so confirm on the official page before you pay.