| name | sk-hierarchical-context |
| description | Generates and maintains localized PIPELINE-CONTEXT.md files distributed across the project tree, producing token-efficient context maps that summarize directory purposes and architectural boundaries. Use when the `/superpipelines:init-deep` command runs, when the PREFLIGHT phase of a new pipeline creation requires context initialization, or when significant refactoring invalidates existing context maps. |
| disable-model-invocation | true |
| user-invocable | false |
Hierarchical Context Maps — Distributed Architecture Context
Distributes architectural knowledge across the repository by placing a PIPELINE-CONTEXT.md in each significant subdirectory. Agents operating within a directory acquire scope-relevant context automatically, conserving tokens and improving reasoning focus.
The Hierarchical Context system places localized `PIPELINE-CONTEXT.md` files throughout the project tree rather than centralizing knowledge in a single large file. An agent working in `src/api/` loads only the context relevant to that directory instead of an entire monolithic prompt.
A localized markdown file (`PIPELINE-CONTEXT.md`) describing the purpose and boundaries of its resident directory.
The recursive process of generating context maps for all significant project directories.
Protocol Execution
### 1. DIRECTORY TRAVERSAL
- Identify all significant architectural boundaries (e.g., `src/`, `components/`, `api/`, `utils/`).
- Skip ignored directories (e.g., `node_modules/`, `.git/`, `dist/`).
2. CONTEXT GENERATION
For each significant directory, create a PIPELINE-CONTEXT.md adhering to LLM-readability standards (Scribius format):
- H1-First & Summary: Begin with an H1 header (
# Directory Name) followed immediately by a blockquote summary (> ).
- Cache-Stable Ordering: Place static context (purpose, constraints) before volatile elements.
- XML-Anchored Content: Wrap structured information in semantic XML envelopes:
<directory_purpose>: A concise summary of what the directory does.
<architectural_constraints>: Specific rules (e.g., "no database access in components").
<key_exports>: Bulleted list of primary modules and their responsibilities.
<pipeline_relationship>: How the directory interacts with the broader system.
- Voice & Tone: Third-person impersonal voice, positive scoping, and unambiguous noun anchors (never "this" or "it" without a preceding noun). Preambles omitted.
3. ROOT CONTEXT INJECTION
- Generate a root-level
PIPELINE-CONTEXT.md that serves as the entry point, detailing the overall system architecture and linking to subdirectory context maps.
4. MAINTENANCE
- When files are significantly refactored during pipeline execution, flag the relevant
PIPELINE-CONTEXT.md for a required update.
- NEVER generate a single monolithic context file; always distribute context hierarchically.
- ALWAYS respect `.gitignore` when traversing the repository.
- Context maps remain concise and free of redundant code snippets; summaries replace inline code.
- ALWAYS format `PIPELINE-CONTEXT.md` files according to Scribius standards (XML envelopes, H1-first, impersonal voice).
Reference Files
${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/sk-pipeline-paths/SKILL.md — Path resolution guidelines.