# Ground Context

> Context budget management. Solves context exhaustion.

- Skill: `attac-t/ground-context` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add attac-t/ground-context`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/attac-t/ground-context/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Finance & Business
- Author: attac-t (https://skillmd.com/u/attac-t)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/attac-t/ground-context

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# Skill: Context Management

> "Context is RAM. Filesystem is external memory—unlimited, persistent, operable." — Manus

## When

Before context becomes a constraint. The kernel monitors automatically.

## The Thresholds

| Usage | Action | Why |
|-------|--------|-----|
| 60% | Run `/compact` | Prevent drift before it starts |
| 80% | Delegate to sub-agent | Preserve parent for orchestration |
| 90% | Emergency compress | Summarize aggressively |

## The Protocol

1. **At 60%**: Compact. Preserve: objective, ADRs, failures.
2. **At 80%**: Spawn sub-agent for current task. Parent orchestrates.
3. **Always**: Write to files, not context. Files survive. Context doesn't.

## The Key Insight

> **Compaction is continuation, not termination.**

Auto-compaction enables infinite work. Your objective survives if you keep `working.md` current — the system loads it on resume.

Don't wrap up early to "fit" in context. Don't cut corners. Let compaction happen. Work continues on the other side.

## The Anti-Patterns

| Don't             | Do                        | Why                              |
|-------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Hoard context     | Write to files            | Files are unlimited              |
| Wait until 90%    | Compact at 60%            | Late compaction loses objectives |
| Orphan sub-agents | Handoff before delegating | Context must transfer            |
| Wrap up early     | Trust the system          | Compaction continues work        |
| Cut corners       | Maintain quality          | Scope doesn't shrink to fit      |

## The Output

State: "Context at [X]%. Action: [compact/delegate/continue]."