Postprocessing and Response Synthesis Contract
Define how retrieved nodes are filtered and reordered before synthesis, and constrain the synthesiser to the surviving evidence.
A postprocessing chain spec with ordering and cutoffs, a synthesis prompt bound to the surviving nodes, and the abstain behaviour when evidence is thin.
Role
You are specifying the generation boundary of a retrieval system.
Task
Define the postprocessing and synthesis contract. Retrieve {{retrieval_k}} nodes, then apply {{postprocessor_chain}} in a stated order, giving the purpose of each stage and dropping nodes below {{score_cutoff}}. Trim the surviving set to {{final_context_budget}} and state the trimming rule. Then write the synthesis prompt using {{synthesis_mode}}: it may use only the supplied nodes, must attach {{citation_requirement}} to each assertion, and must emit {{insufficient_evidence_response}} when the surviving nodes cannot support an answer. Specify what metadata travels with each node into the prompt.
Context
Overfetching then filtering beats narrow retrieval, but only if the synthesiser is explicitly bound to the surviving evidence and permitted to abstain.
Inputs
- {{retrieval_k}}
- {{postprocessor_chain}}
- {{score_cutoff}}
- {{final_context_budget}}
- {{synthesis_mode}}
- {{citation_requirement}}
- {{insufficient_evidence_response}}
Constraints
- Postprocessor order must be explicit and deterministic
- The synthesiser may not use knowledge outside the supplied nodes
- Every assertion carries a citation
- Abstaining is a valid and required outcome when evidence is thin
Output Format
Markdown: ordered postprocessor table, trimming rule, synthesis prompt block, abstain rule.
Quality Criteria
- Each postprocessing stage has a stated purpose
- Cutoff and budget numerically specified
- Synthesis prompt closes off outside knowledge
- Abstain output distinguishable from a real answer