compact-guide

name	compact-guide
description	Context window management and token optimization guide. Triggers on: context, tokens, compact, memory management. NOT for: code writing, debugging.
disable-model-invocation	false
user-invocable	true

Context Management Guide

Context is like fresh milk. It goes bad over time.

Core Rules

• Reset before exceeding 80-100k tokens
• Clean up context every 3-5 tasks
• /clear after 3 /compact operations

Commands

/compact

• Summarizes and compresses conversation content
• Retains important information, reduces tokens only
• Does not interrupt workflow

/clear

• Complete reset
• Risky without HANDOFF.md!
• Use when you want a clean start

Recommended Pattern

Start work
    |
Complete 3-5 tasks
    |
/compact (token compression)
    |
Complete 3-5 tasks
    |
/compact
    |
Complete 3-5 tasks
    |
/compact
    |
/handoff (generate HANDOFF.md)
    |
/clear (reset)
    |
Read HANDOFF.md in new session

Warning

You can use up to 200k tokens, but quality degrades beyond 80-100k!

Context Management from a Cache Perspective

Why /compact Is Advantageous

• System prompt + tool definition prefix cache is preserved
• Only conversation messages are summarized, so cache hits are possible every turn
• Significantly lower cost than /clear

Hidden Cost of /clear

• Invalidates the entire prefix cache (system prompt + tools + CLAUDE.md + rules/ all recomputed)
• Additional tokens generated when loading HANDOFF.md
• Cache warmup needed from the next API call

Compaction Timing Guide

• 50-70k tokens: First /compact (do it early while there's room)
• 80-100k tokens: Second /compact or prepare /handoff
• If still above 80k after /compact: /handoff -> /clear -> new session
• Do not compact above 150k (risk of insufficient buffer)