Context Conservation

Rules for maximizing work done per context window. Every token spent on exploration is a token not spent on implementation.

Core Principles

1. Grep first, read second — never Read a file blind. Grep for the symbol/pattern, get line numbers, then Read with offset/limit.
2. Narrow reads — always use offset/limit. Aim for 10-20 lines around the target, not 100+.
3. One read per edit — Read the target lines, Edit them, move on. Don't re-read to verify; the Edit tool confirms success.
4. Parallel independent calls — if you need to read 3 files, do it in one message with 3 Read calls.
5. No redundant searches — if you already know the file and line from a prior Grep, go straight to Read+Edit.

Tool Selection — Cheapest First

When NOT to Use Agents

Don't use Explore/Task agent when:

• You know the file — just Grep + Read directly
• The search is simple — one Grep finds it
• You need < 3 lookups — do them yourself

Do use Explore agent when:

• Truly open-ended search across unknown files
• Need to understand an unfamiliar subsystem
• Would take 5+ Grep/Read rounds to find what you need

When NOT to Invoke Skills

Don't invoke a skill when:

• The task is trivial (e.g., adding one translation key — just edit the files)
• You already know the pattern from memory/context
• The skill document is large and the task is small

Do invoke a skill when:

• Following a multi-step procedure with project-specific gotchas
• The task is complex enough that the skill's checklist prevents mistakes
• You genuinely don't remember the procedure

Read Discipline

BAD:  Read(file, offset=1, limit=2000)     // entire file, huge context cost
BAD:  Read(file)                            // same — default reads everything
OK:   Read(file, offset=350, limit=50)      // 50 lines around target
GOOD: Read(file, offset=368, limit=5)       // just the lines you need

After a Grep gives line 370, read lines 368-373 (offset=368, limit=6). Not 300-450.

Edit Discipline

• Trust Edit output — it confirms success. Don't Read after to verify.
• replace_all: true — for patterns repeated across a file (e.g., renaming a variable). One Edit, not N.
• Include minimal context — old_string just needs to be unique, not the whole function.

Search Strategy

1. Start with Grep(pattern, output_mode="files_with_matches") — cheapest, just filenames
2. If needed, Grep(pattern, output_mode="content", -n=true) on the specific file — gives line numbers
3. Then Read(file, offset=line-2, limit=10) — surgical read
4. Edit and move on

Multi-File Edits

For identical edits across multiple files:

1. Grep one file to find insertion point and context
2. Read the target lines from ALL files in parallel (one message, N Read calls)
3. Edit ALL files in parallel (one message, N Edit calls)

Total: 1 Grep + N Reads + N Edits. Not a skill invocation + exploration.

Anti-Patterns