Disable Claude's Compacting Feature and Use Custom Summarization for Better Context Retention
Published:Dec 27, 2025 08:52
•1 min read
•r/ClaudeAI
Analysis
This article, sourced from a Reddit post, suggests a workaround for Claude's built-in "compacting" feature, which users have found to be lossy in terms of context retention. The author proposes using a custom summarization prompt to preserve context when moving conversations to new chats. This approach allows for more control over what information is retained and can prevent the loss of uploaded files or key decisions made during the conversation. The post highlights a practical solution for users experiencing limitations with the default compacting functionality and encourages community feedback for further improvements. The suggestion to use a bookmarklet for easy access to the summarization prompt is a useful addition.
Key Takeaways
- •Claude's compacting feature can lead to context loss.
- •Custom summarization prompts offer better control over context retention.
- •Using a bookmarklet can streamline the summarization process.
Reference
“Summarize this chat so I can continue working in a new chat. Preserve all the context needed for the new chat to be able to understand what we're doing and why.”