Context Management

Learn how to manage context effectively to maintain productive, focused conversations with Claude Code throughout your development session.

Understanding Context Limits

Claude Code has context limitations that affect long conversations:

Token limits for each conversation
Memory constraints for complex codebases
Performance impacts with excessive context

Context Management Strategies

1. Session Planning

Break Large Tasks into Sessions

Plan major features across multiple focused sessions
Complete related subtasks in single sessions
Use clear session boundaries

2. Context Reset Techniques

When to Reset

After completing major milestones
When conversation becomes unfocused
Before starting unrelated tasks
When hitting context limits

How to Reset Effectively


# Start fresh session with summary
claude --resume "Completed user authentication. Now implementing dashboard features."

3. Information Prioritization

Keep Context Relevant

Focus on current task files
Remove outdated discussion threads
Prioritize active code sections
Archive completed work references

Effective Context Patterns

The CLAUDE.md Approach

Create a persistent context file:


# Project Context
 
## Current Sprint
- [ ] User dashboard implementation
- [ ] API integration for analytics
- [ ] Mobile responsiveness fixes
 
## Key Files
- `src/components/Dashboard/` - Main dashboard components
- `src/api/analytics.ts` - Analytics API client
- `src/hooks/useAnalytics.ts` - Analytics data hook
 
## Important Decisions
- Using React Query for data fetching
- Material-UI for component library
- TypeScript strict mode enabled
 
## Known Issues
- Dashboard loading performance (tracking in issue #123)
- Mobile menu overflow on small screens

Progressive Context Building

Start Broad, Then Focus

Begin with high-level overview
Narrow to specific modules
Focus on immediate task
Expand context as needed

Context Handoffs

Between Sessions


Previous session completed user authentication with JWT tokens. 
Next: Implement protected routes and user profile management.
Key files: src/auth/, src/components/Profile/
Current branch: feature/user-profiles

Context Organization Techniques

1. Layered Context

Layer 1: Project Level

Overall architecture
Tech stack decisions
Coding standards

Layer 2: Feature Level

Feature requirements
Related components
API endpoints

Layer 3: Task Level

Specific implementation details
Current file content
Immediate next steps

2. Context Anchoring

Use Reference Points

Specific file paths
Function/class names
Configuration sections
Previous decisions

Example Anchors


Based on the UserService pattern in src/services/user.ts, 
implement ProjectService with similar error handling.

3. Context Compression

Summarize When Needed

Compress long discussions into key points
Extract decision rationale
Archive implementation details
Keep only active context

Tools for Context Management

1. CLAUDE.md File


# Context Tracker
 
## Session Goals
- [ ] Fix mobile responsive issues
- [ ] Add user preference settings
- [ ] Update documentation
 
## Active Files
- src/components/MobileNav.tsx
- src/contexts/UserPreferences.tsx
- docs/user-guide.md
 
## Decisions Made
- Using localStorage for user preferences
- Implementing responsive breakpoints at 768px, 1024px
- Adding dark mode toggle to settings panel

2. Session Bookmarks


## Quick References
- Main component: `src/components/Dashboard/index.tsx:45`
- API endpoint: `src/api/routes.ts:127`
- Type definitions: `src/types/user.ts:12`
- Test file: `__tests__/Dashboard.test.tsx`

3. Context Validation

Regular Check-ins

Confirm understanding of current goals
Verify file locations and content
Validate assumptions about project state
Update context as project evolves

Best Practices

Do

Start each session with clear context
Update CLAUDE.md regularly
Use specific file references
Summarize complex discussions
Archive completed work

Don’t

Let context drift without correction
Include irrelevant historical details
Assume Claude remembers previous sessions
Overload with unnecessary technical details
Skip context setup for “quick” tasks

Troubleshooting Context Issues

When Claude Seems Confused

Reset and refocus: Clearly state current objective
Provide fresh context: Share relevant file contents
Confirm assumptions: Verify project state understanding
Simplify scope: Break down complex requests

When Hitting Context Limits

Summarize progress: Extract key decisions and next steps
Start new session: Use —resume with summary
Prioritize content: Focus on immediately relevant information
Archive details: Move completed work to documentation

Next: Direction Correction - Learn how to course-correct when Claude goes off-track.