diff --git a/libs/core/kiln_ai/adapters/test_prompt_builders.py b/libs/core/kiln_ai/adapters/test_prompt_builders.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ede68b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libs/core/kiln_ai/adapters/test_prompt_builders.py
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+from kiln_ai.adapters.base_adapter import BaseAdapter
+from kiln_ai.adapters.prompt_builders import SimplePromptBuilder
+from kiln_ai.adapters.test_prompt_adaptors import build_test_task
+from kiln_ai.adapters.test_structured_output import build_structured_output_test_task
+
+
+def test_simple_prompt_builder(tmp_path):
+    task = build_test_task(tmp_path)
+    builder = SimplePromptBuilder(task=task)
+    input = "two plus two"
+    prompt = builder.build_prompt(input)
+    assert (
+        "You are an assistant which performs math tasks provided in plain text."
+        in prompt
+    )
+
+    # TODO this should be a user message later
+    assert input in prompt
+
+    assert "1) " + task.requirements()[0].instruction in prompt
+    assert "2) " + task.requirements()[1].instruction in prompt
+    assert "3) " + task.requirements()[2].instruction in prompt
+
+
+class MockAdapter(BaseAdapter):
+    def adapter_specific_instructions(self) -> str | None:
+        return "You are a mock, send me the response!"
+
+    def _run(self, input: str) -> str:
+        return "mock response"
+
+
+def test_simple_prompt_builder_structured_output(tmp_path):
+    task = build_structured_output_test_task(tmp_path)
+    builder = SimplePromptBuilder(task=task)
+    builder.adapter = MockAdapter(task)
+    input = "Cows"
+    prompt = builder.build_prompt(input)
+    assert "You are an assistant which tells a joke, given a subject." in prompt
+
+    # TODO this should be a user message later
+    assert input in prompt
+
+    # check adapter instructions are included
+    assert "You are a mock, send me the response!" in prompt