What it sees decides what it does.
The prompt is only part of it. Instructions, files, chat history and tool results all shape the answer. Manage the whole picture.
Select
Move 01
Only what's relevant to this task. Nothing “just in case.”
IN PRACTICE
Three files, not thirty.
Order
Move 02
Key instructions and facts where they won't get buried.
IN PRACTICE
Source first, ask last (Day 33).
Compress
Move 03
Summarise long history into what still matters.
IN PRACTICE
A one-page current state.
Refresh
Move 04
Drop outdated facts. Start clean when the chat drifts.
IN PRACTICE
New chat, fresh summary.
Source: Anthropic Engineering ↗
Curate what it sees. Start fresh when it drifts.