# Recursive Language Model

> Recursive Language Model workflow for processing documents that exceed context window limits. Uses a persistent Python REPL and subordinate agents to chunk, search, and analyze large context files.

- Skill: `viktor-ferenczi/recursive-language-model` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 5 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add viktor-ferenczi/recursive-language-model`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/viktor-ferenczi/recursive-language-model/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- License: MIT
- Author: viktor-ferenczi (https://skillmd.com/u/viktor-ferenczi)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/viktor-ferenczi/recursive-language-model

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# RLM (Recursive Language Model)

Process arbitrarily long documents by treating them as an external environment: keep the document in a
persistent Python REPL, search and chunk it there, and recursively delegate chunk-level analysis to
subordinate agents. Never paste large content into the main conversation.

All paths below are relative to this skill's directory. Requires Python 3.8+ and an agentic harness with
code execution and subordinate agents.

## Workflow

1. **Load the document** into the REPL:
   `python3 scripts/rlm_repl.py init <path/to/context.txt>` (verify with `... status`)
2. **Scout** the content: `python3 scripts/rlm_repl.py exec -c 'print(peek(0, 3000))'`
   and locate relevant sections with `grep(pattern)` before reading anything in bulk.
3. **Chunk** if needed: `python3 scripts/rlm_repl.py exec -c 'print("\n".join(write_chunks("./rlm_chunks", size=200000)))'`
4. **Delegate** each relevant chunk to a subordinate agent using the prompt profile in
   [rlm-subcall.md](rlm-subcall.md), passing the query and the chunk file path. Prefer JSON-structured replies.
5. **Synthesize** the sub-agent results in the main conversation and answer.
6. **Clean up**: `python3 scripts/rlm_repl.py reset`

## Reference

- [README.md](README.md) — full REPL command and helper-function reference, architecture, compatible harnesses.
- [EXAMPLE.md](EXAMPLE.md) — complete worked example on a large document.
- [rlm-subcall.md](rlm-subcall.md) — subordinate agent prompt profile.
- [scripts/rlm_repl.py](scripts/rlm_repl.py) — the persistent REPL (state stored locally via pickle; context size limited by memory).