# Context Loader

> Load project context efficiently for Conductor workflows. Use when starting work on a track, implementing features, or needing project context without consuming excessive tokens.

- Skill: `tools-only/context-loader` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add tools-only/context-loader`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/context-loader/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/context-loader

---


# Context Loader Skill

Efficiently load and manage project context for Conductor's context-driven development workflow.

## Trigger Conditions

Use this skill when:

- Starting work on a new track or feature
- User mentions: "load context", "project context", "get context"
- Beginning `/conductor:implement` workflow
- Need to understand project structure without reading all files

## Token Optimization Protocol

### 1. Respect Ignore Files

Before scanning files, check for:

1. `.claudeignore` - Claude-specific ignores
2. `.gitignore` - Standard git ignores

```bash
# Check for ignore files
ls -la .claudeignore .gitignore 2>/dev/null
```

### 2. Efficient File Discovery

Use git for tracked files:

```bash
git ls-files --exclude-standard -co | head -100
```

For directory structure:

```bash
git ls-files --exclude-standard -co | xargs -n 1 dirname | sort -u
```

### 3. Priority Files (Read First)

| Priority | File Type | Examples                                          |
| -------- | --------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| 1        | Manifests | `package.json`, `Cargo.toml`, `pyproject.toml`    |
| 2        | Conductor | `conductor/product.md`, `conductor/tech-stack.md` |
| 3        | Track     | `conductor/tracks/<id>/spec.md`, `plan.md`        |
| 4        | Config    | `tsconfig.json`, `.env.example`                   |

### 4. Large File Handling

For files over 1MB:

- Read first 20 lines (header/imports)
- Read last 20 lines (exports/summary)
- Skip middle content

### Enforcement Rules (MANDATORY)

1. Check file size via Bash `ls -la` before reading
   - >500KB: Read first 20 + last 20 lines only
   - >1MB: Skip entirely, log as "skipped: too large"
2. Stop after Tier 1-3 files. Tier 4 (config files) only if task-specific.
3. Never load completed tracks — only active track spec.md + plan.md.
4. Maximum 15 files per context load. If more are needed, prioritize by tier.

## Context Loading Workflow

```
1. Load CLAUDE.md (if exists)
2. Load conductor/product.md (project vision)
3. Load conductor/tech-stack.md (technical context)
4. Load conductor/tracks.md (completed work — prevents duplicate effort)
5. Load current track spec.md (requirements)
6. Load current track plan.md (tasks — check [x] vs [ ] status)
```

## Evaluate-Loop Integration

This skill is used by multiple loop agents:
- `loop-planner` — loads context before creating a plan
- `loop-executor` — loads context before implementing tasks
- `conductor-orchestrator` — loads context to determine current loop step

**Critical:** Always load `tracks.md` and check `plan.md` task markers to prevent duplicate work across sessions.

## Response Format

After loading context, summarize:

```
## Project Context Loaded

**Product**: [one-line summary]
**Tech Stack**: [key technologies]
**Current Track**: [track name/id]
**Active Phase**: [current phase]
**Pending Tasks**: [count of [ ] tasks]
**Completed Tasks**: [count of [x] tasks]
**Loop Step**: [current Evaluate-Loop step — Plan/Execute/Evaluate/Fix]
```