How Context Works
Quick Context Refresher
Everything Claude knows about your task must fit in one context window. There is no hidden memory between messages within a conversation — the window is all there is.
What counts as context
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| Your messages | Every prompt you've sent in this conversation |
| Claude's responses | All previous outputs in the thread |
| Uploaded files | Documents, configs, logs you've attached |
| Tool outputs | Results from web search, plugins, connectors |
| System instructions | Preferences, memory, project context |
Key Takeaway
Keep it Fresh
Long conversations degrade quality. When things get muddled, start a fresh conversation.