Context Management
Compression Is the Art of Trade-offs
What to do when the context is too long? Neither deleting everything nor keeping everything is right: some can be deleted (old tool outputs), some cannot be deleted (user's exact words), and some need paid compression (full summary). Product managers need a decision framework.
Context Compression Simulator
An 8-round conversation—try different compression strategies
Decision Framework
Can Delete
Old tool call results
Completed intermediate steps
Repeated confirmation messages
Completed intermediate steps
Repeated confirmation messages
Can Compress
AI's lengthy replies
Conclusions from multi-round discussions
Detailed search/query results
Conclusions from multi-round discussions
Detailed search/query results
Must Not Touch
User's original messages
System Prompt
Key preference settings
System Prompt
Key preference settings
Compression is not about deleting everything or keeping everything—it's about finding balance between information value and token cost. A good compression strategy is like an experienced editor: knowing what is filler that can be cut, and what is the user's exact words that must be kept.