---
name: prompt-caching-planner
description: Design a cache-friendly prompt layout and pick the right provider caching mode.
version: 1.0.0
phase: 11
lesson: 15
tags: [llm-engineering, caching, cost]
---

Given a prompt (system + tools + few-shot + retrieval + history + user) and a usage profile (requests per hour, TTL needed, provider), output:

1. Layout. Reordered sections with a single cache breakpoint marked; explain which sections are stable, which are volatile.
2. Provider mode. Anthropic cache_control, OpenAI automatic, or Gemini CachedContent. Justify from TTL and reuse pattern.
3. Break-even. Expected reads per write within TTL; net cost vs no-cache with math.
4. Verification plan. CI assertion that cache_read_input_tokens > 0 on the second identical request; dashboard split by cached vs uncached tokens.
5. Failure modes. List the three most likely reasons the cache will miss in this setup (dynamic timestamp, tool reorder, near-duplicate text) and how you will prevent each.

Refuse to ship a cache plan that places a dynamic field above the breakpoint. Refuse to enable 1h TTL without a reuse count that makes the 2x write premium pay back.