Semantic Kernel prompt template syntax

[christianarg]

We used a lot the Semantic Kernel prompt template syntax https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/semantic-kernel/concepts/prompts/prompt-template-syntax

There is a similar discussion but it's more focused on other template types. #1090

I'm specifically asking for the default, oldest, Semantic Kernel prompt template. We use it a lot in our application as it has for example built-in protection for prompt injection.

I assume this won't be supported in this new framework. Please let us know ASAP so at least we won't use it for new developments

[markwallace-microsoft]

Hi @christianarg, thanks for creating this issue. The Semantic Kernel prompt template support was originally created to support prompt engineering scenarios where developers wanted to treat prompts as more than just template strings but wanted more powerful templating functionality. If would be very helpful to understand your use cases for templated prompts in Agent Framework, can you share some details?

[christianarg]

@markwallace-microsoft sorry for the delay. Essentially we were SK early adopters and we use it in many "agents" that are a single prompt because it was the recommended way and specially for the built in prompt injection protection.

Examples: generate query agent

string instructionsTemplate = """
generate sql statement for the user query:
schema: {{$schema}}
userPrompt: {{$userPrompt}}
""";
KernelArguments arguments = new()
{ 
    {"schema", GetSchema()},
    {"userPrompt", userPrompt},
}
kernel.InvokePromptAsync(instructionsTemplate,arguments)

Ofc this could be rewritten with ChatCompletionsAgent (that don't have the kernel syntax) and string interpolation that would translate directly with the new framework.
It's not THAT hard for us to migrate but I was just asking in case we could wait if this is going to be implemented or not. Probably not needed I guess.
Luckly we didn't use the Semantic Functions or whatever they were called that were used with kernel.ImportPluginFromPromptDirectory as I see now that were completely removed from the docs :P