context-hygiene

To reduce LLM token costs during long-running loops, apply context management by using /compact at mid-task checkpoints and clearing context at task boundaries. This prevents cumulative token bloat and lowers per-turn output latency.

The best way to manage session context when switching tasks is to write a handover document to disk and execute /clear. This preserves in-progress state for the next session while preventing unrelated context from inflating costs.

Caching does not eliminate per-turn token costs in long sessions. Even with caching active, growing context windows increase output token generation expenses, making periodic context compaction or clearing necessary for cost hygiene.

To compact context mid-task without losing your plan, use the /compact command to preserve the relevant state and current task plan. This focuses the session window while allowing long-running workflows to continue without resetting.

You should clear context when switching to entirely unrelated tasks, and compact context during the same task when the token count gets high. Clearing requires a disk-based handover document, while compacting preserves the active plan.

To control context bloat during subagent-heavy workflow routing, apply cost-aware decision thresholds and use checkpointing. This manages subagent-driven expenses by resetting session context when crossing specific token or time limits.