/compact

Proactively reduce context usage while preserving everything via /export.

Usage

/compact

When to Use

• After reading many files (>20)
• Before starting a new major phase
• When responses feel slower
• When guardian shows WARNING (60% estimate)
• Preventatively during long sessions

Steps

1. Preserve Everything First

Prompt the user:

Compaction initiated.

Please run the following command to preserve full session:

/export

Then save the output to: .claude/swarm/exports/pre-compact-$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S).txt

(You can download the export or copy to clipboard, then save to the path above)

Wait for user confirmation that export was saved.

2. Extract Current Essentials

From working memory (do NOT re-read files), extract:

## Current Essentials

**Compacted:** $(date -Iseconds)

### Active Goal

[What are you trying to accomplish?]

### Current Phase

[Where are you in the process?]

### Key Files (Paths Only - No Contents!)

- `path/to/file1.ts` - [Purpose/role]
- `path/to/file2.ts` - [Purpose/role]
- `path/to/file3.ts` - [Purpose/role]

### Immediate Next Actions

1. [Specific next step]
2. [Then this]
3. [Then this]

### Important Context Pointers

- Research findings: [path if exists]
- Implementation plan: [path if exists]
- Full pre-compact export: .claude/swarm/exports/pre-compact-[timestamp].txt

3. Archive Verbose Details

Take any verbose details from working memory and save to:

.claude/swarm/context/detailed-$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S).md

This might include:

• Detailed analysis that's been done
• File contents that were read
• Lengthy explanations
• Background information

4. Clear Mental Cache

From working memory, DROP:

• ❌ File contents (reference paths instead)
• ❌ Verbose explanations (saved to detailed file)
• ❌ Conversation history details (in /export)
• ❌ Background context (in archives)

KEEP in working memory:

• ✓ Goal + phase
• ✓ File paths (not contents)
• ✓ Immediate next steps
• ✓ Pointers to research/plans

5. Report Compaction

✓ Context compacted

Full session preserved: .claude/swarm/exports/pre-compact-[timestamp].txt
Detailed findings archived: .claude/swarm/context/detailed-[timestamp].md

Working memory now holds:
- Active goal: [goal]
- Current phase: [phase]
- File references: [count] files (paths only)
- Next steps: [immediate actions]

Estimated reduction: 60-80% context freed
Full details available in export if needed.

Expected Outcome

Before compaction:

• Working memory holds: file contents, conversation details, verbose explanations
• Context usage: 60-70% (estimated)

After compaction:

• Working memory holds: goal, phase, file paths, next steps
• Context usage: 20-30% (estimated)
• Everything preserved in exports for reference

Notes

• Compaction is SAFE - nothing is lost (exported first)
• Use when context feels "heavy" or guardian warns
• Can reference detailed files or exports if needed later
• Enables longer sessions without hitting limits