# Context Mastery

> Advanced token optimization and context management strategies.

- Skill: `majiayu000/context-mastery` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add majiayu000/context-mastery`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/majiayu000/context-mastery/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: majiayu000 (https://skillmd.com/u/majiayu000)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/majiayu000/context-mastery

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# Context Mastery & Token Optimization Protocol

## 1. The "Grep-First" Rule (Token Saver)

- **Problem**: `read_file` on a 2000-line file consumes ~500-1000 tokens instantly.
- **Solution**: Always use `grep` or `read_file_range` first to inspect specific functions or imports.
- **Banned**: `cat` or `read_file` on entire directories or massive files (e.g., `package-lock.json`, giant logs) unless absolutely necessary.

## 2. Incremental Summarization

- **Trigger**: When the conversation exceeds ~20 turns or you feel the context window filling.
- **Action**:
  1.  Summarize what has been achieved in the last 10 turns.
  2.  Write it to `scratchpad.md` or `active_task.md`.
  3.  Explicitly state "I am clearing internal context of validated steps" (if tool allows) or just rely on the scratchpad for future lookup.

## 3. Focused Context Loading

- **Don't**: "Read all files in `src/` to understand the project." (Too expensive).
- **Do**:
  1.  Read `CLAUDE.md` / `README.md`.
  2.  Read directory listing `ls -R`.
  3.  Selectively read _only_ the interfaces (`types.ts`) or entry points (`index.ts`) related to the current task.

## 4. Context Efficiency Checklist

- [ ] Did I use `grep` instead of reading the whole file?
- [ ] Did I check if I already have this info in `MEMORY.md`?
- [ ] Is my next prompt efficient? (Avoid repeating massive code blocks back to the user).