Context Bank

Context Bank

Prerequisites & Dependencies

• Python 3.10+ (for JSON/Markdown materialization)
• No external runtime dependencies; pure-Python file I/O

Execution Steps

1. Scan transcript ground truth: Before any major edit or session pause, extract the following from the current conversation:

   • Verified file paths (absolute, with file:line references confirmed)
   • Decided invariants (design decisions, rejected approaches with rationale)
   • Active TODOs and their status
   • Open risks or indeterminate states

2. Write CONTEXT_BANK.md: Create/overwrite CONTEXT_BANK.md at the repository root with structured sections:

   • # Verified File Paths
   • # Decided Invariants
   • # Active TODOs
   • # Open Risks
   • # Session Decisions

3. Write context-bank.json: Serialize the same data to context-bank.json for machine consumption by subagents.

4. On reload: Prioritize CONTEXT_BANK.md contents over the decaying transcript when resuming work. Flag any transcript references that conflict with the bank as potentially stale.

5. Periodic compaction: Run context-bank compact to collapse older entries (older than N turns) while preserving decision rationale and file:line anchors.

Output Format

CONTEXT_BANK.md:

# Context Bank (auto-generated)

## Verified File Paths
- `path/to/file.py:42` — verified import pattern
- `path/to/other.ts:11` — confirmed type contract

## Decided Invariants
- **Decision**: Use X over Y
- **Rationale**: Y caused [specific failure] in prior session
- **Rejected**: [any alternative considered]

## Active TODOs
- [ ] TODO description — owner, due

## Open Risks
- Risk: X may break under Y conditions
- Status: being investigated

## Session Decisions
- 2026-09-11: Agreed to use verify-orchestrator for all completion claims

context-bank.json:

{
  "verified_paths": ["path/to/file.py:42"],
  "invariants": {"decision": "Use X over Y", "rationale": "Y caused failure"},
  "todos": [{"text": "TODO description", "owner": "agent", "status": "open"}],
  "risks": [{"description": "Risk: X may break under Y", "status": "open"}],
  "decisions": ["2026-09-11: Agreed to use verify-orchestrator"]
}

Windows PowerShell Notes

• Use Set-Content with -Encoding UTF8NoBOM when writing CONTEXT_BANK.md to avoid BOM contamination
• Verify file paths use forward slashes or escaped backslashes in PowerShell quotes