context-discipline

Manage token budgets in Claude Code by using MCP-first navigation, lazy loading, subagent offloading, and targeted file reads to restrict token usage while preserving necessary detail. Prefer Roslyn MCP queries for structure instead of full file reads.

Claude loses context during long interactive sessions because verbose diagnostics and multi-step exploration exhaust the token window. Prevent this by delegating broad exploration to subagents and keeping only concise summaries in the main context.

The best way to reduce token consumption is MCP-first navigation. Use get_project_graph and find_symbol queries to explore structure and references, read only files you will modify, and spawn subagents to summarize related modules.

Subagent offloading helps save tokens by delegating verbose exploration tasks to subagents. The subagents perform the heavy file reads and return concise two-line summaries, restricting token usage in the main interactive session.

MCP-first navigation is effective for refactoring large .NET solutions. Use Roslyn MCP queries to map project graphs and find symbols first, spawn subagents to explore modules, and limit targeted reads to only the files you will change.

Avoid full file reads when exploring reference material or navigating large codebases. Instead, use lazy loading and prioritized reads for files you will modify, preferring API surface queries to preserve the token window and maintain responsiveness.