context-worker

name	context-worker
description	Context management — pre-compact persistence, threshold alignment, microcompact/circuit breaker detection

Context Worker

NOTE: Startup and cleanup are handled by worker-base. This skill defines the WORK PROCEDURE.

When to Use This Skill

Features that modify context management hooks, memory consolidation, daily log infrastructure, mtime-based locking, or session-counting triggers.

Work Procedure

1. Read the feature description carefully. Understand the exact behavior changes and how they integrate with existing memory infrastructure.

2. Read source files. Before modifying:

   • Read ALL files mentioned in the feature's preconditions and description
   • Read AGENTS.md for CC patterns reference and key file locations
   • Read existing tests for files being modified

3. Write tests first (red). Create test file at tests/lib/memory/<descriptive-name>.test.cjs or tests/hooks/<name>.test.cjs. Tests must cover:

   • Happy path (expected behavior)
   • Edge cases (missing files, empty data, corrupted input)
   • Fail-open behavior (errors caught, session not crashed)
   • Backward compatibility (existing API still works) Use temp directories for filesystem isolation. Run tests — they should FAIL.

4. Implement changes.

   • Memory operations MUST be fail-open (try/catch, exit 0)
   • Use path.join() for all paths (Windows compatibility)
   • Use UTC for all timestamps
   • Use fs.appendFileSync for daily log appends
   • Use atomicWriteSync for critical file updates
   • Preserve backward compatibility with existing APIs

5. Run tests (green). All tests pass.

6. Run lint and format.

   pnpm lint
   npx prettier --check <modified-files>
   

7. Run related existing tests for regression.

Example Handoff

{
  "salientSummary": "Created daily log writer with UTC timestamped entries, recursive dir creation, and fail-open behavior. Integrated into session-end hook. 18 tests.",
  "whatWasImplemented": "appendDailyLog() in memory-daily-log.cjs creates logs/YYYY/MM/YYYY-MM-DD.md directories recursively, appends timestamped bullets, sanitizes content. Session-end hook calls appendDailyLog after STM→MTM promotion.",
  "whatWasLeftUndone": "",
  "verification": {
    "commandsRun": [
      { "command": "node --test tests/lib/memory/daily-log.test.cjs", "exitCode": 0, "observation": "18 tests passing" },
      { "command": "pnpm lint", "exitCode": 0, "observation": "0 errors" }
    ]
  }
}

When to Return to Orchestrator

• Session-end hook has a significantly different structure than expected
• File locking mechanism conflicts with the new approach
• Existing memory-tiers API would need breaking changes