#Context & Compaction

Code CLI manages a context window that includes your conversation, file contents, tool outputs, and system instructions. As the context fills, compaction strategies keep the session productive.

#How Context Works

On session start, Code CLI loads:

• CLAUDE.md or CODECLI.md — Project instructions
• .gitignore — File exclusion rules
• Package files — Dependencies and project structure
• Recent files — Recently modified files in the project

As you interact, the agent reads files, executes tools, and accumulates context.

#Auto-Compaction

Compaction runs automatically when context usage crosses configurable thresholds:

"compaction": {
  "auto": true,
  "prune": true,
  "microcompact": true,
  "microcompact_age_ms": 300000,
  "protected_tail": 4,
  "progressive": true,
  "thresholds": {
    "light_prune": 0.50,
    "microcompact": 0.65,
    "aggressive_prune": 0.75,
    "preemptive_compact": 0.85,
    "emergency": 0.95
  }
}

#Manual Compaction

Use /compact or set --compact-threshold 0.5 to control when compaction triggers.