context-compress

name	context-compress
description	Guide for using /compact (Claude Code built-in) with the pre-compact save pipeline. Shows what gets saved before compression and what gets reinjected after.
short_desc	/compact pipeline pre-save context guidance
keywords	["compact context","/compact","context window","/compact context","compress context","before compact","context too large","save context state"]
argument-hint	[focus-topic]
model	haiku

/compact [focus]

Compress the current conversation context to free up space, optionally focusing on a topic.

Note: /compact is a Claude Code built-in command — type it directly to trigger compression. This skill (/context-compress) is documentation for the pipeline around it.

Usage

/compact                        # Compress with default summary
/compact auth module            # Focus summary on authentication work
/compact tests and recent fixes # Focus on testing and bug fixes

What This Does

1. Summarizes all prior conversation into a concise state snapshot
2. Retains the most important context for continuing work
3. Focus (optional): emphasizes the specified topic in the summary

When to Use

• Context window is filling up (> 60% used)
• Switching focus to a different part of the codebase
• After completing a major phase of work
• Before a long implementation session

Automatic Pre-Compact Save

The pre-compact-save.sh hook automatically runs before compaction:

• Saves git status and recently modified files to .claude/context/pre-compact-snapshot.md

After compaction, compact-context-reinject.sh re-injects:

• CONTEXT_STATE.md (current task state)
• Recent git commits (last 10)
• Active plan summary (first 30 lines from .claude/context/plans/)
• The pre-compaction snapshot

Tips

• Include the file or module name in the focus: /compact auth/jwt.py
• After compaction, CONTEXT_STATE.md is automatically re-injected
• Active plans (.claude/context/plans/) are re-injected from the first 30 lines