Separate positions from loose letters
A letter fixed in one slot is a stronger clue than a letter that may appear anywhere. Write the pattern first, keeping every unknown position blank. Then list required letters separately. This prevents a correct letter from being placed too early in the search.
For a five-letter pattern such as B, blank, A, blank, E, enter B in the first slot, A in the third and E in the fifth. Do not add a likely second letter until the puzzle confirms it.
Use the result count as feedback
A long list means the pattern still allows many possibilities. A short list means each confirmed position is doing useful work. Search after adding one reliable clue so you can see which clue changed the list.
If a new letter removes every result, check that letter before changing the rest of the pattern. One conflicting clue is easier to find when the search is built in stages.
Keep guesses outside the pattern
A familiar beginning or ending can feel certain even when it is only a guess. Keep speculative fragments out of the exact-position boxes. Test them later with the starting or ending field, where they are easy to remove.
- Enter the word length.
- Place confirmed letters.
- Add required letters.
- Leave out ruled-out letters.
- Test uncertain fragments last.