Context Window Management

# Context Window Management Pattern ## Strategy 1: CLAUDE.md as Persistent Memory ```markdown # CLAUDE.md — Context Anchors ## Architecture Overview (always loaded first) - Monorepo: apps/ (3 apps), packages/ (7 shared packages) - Entry points: apps/{web,api,admin}/src/index.ts - Shared types: packages/types/src/index.ts ## Key Files (read these before making changes) - Database schema: packages/db/schema.ts - API routes map: apps/api/src/routes/index.ts - Environment config: packages/config/src/env.ts ## Recent Decisions (prevents re-discussion) - 2024-03-01: Switched from REST to tRPC for internal APIs - 2024-02-15: Adopted Drizzle ORM, removed Prisma - 2024-02-10: All new components use Radix UI primitives ``` ## Strategy 2: Session Splitting ```bash # Session 1: Analysis only — output to file claude -p "Analyze src/services/ and list all functions that need error handling improvements. Output to docs/error-audit.md" --output-file error-audit.md # Session 2: Fix based on analysis (fresh context) claude -p "Read docs/error-audit.md and fix each listed issue. Work through files one at a time." ``` ## Strategy 3: Compact Triggers ```markdown # CLAUDE.md — Compact Rules ## When to /compact - After completing a distinct subtask - Before switching to a different module - When you notice repeated file reads ## Compact Summary Format Always include in compact summary: 1. What was accomplished 2. Current file being worked on 3. Remaining items from the task list 4. Any blockers or decisions made ``` ## Strategy 4: Focused File Loading ```bash # Instead of "read the entire src/ directory" # Ask Claude to read specific files claude -p "Read only src/services/auth.ts and src/middleware/validate.ts. Fix the token refresh bug described in issue #234." ```