A Framework for Strong Context Design
This lesson introduces a simple, repeatable way to decide what belongs in context. The goal is to filter information with purpose, not just relevance.
Three categories of context
Every piece of potential context should be classified as:
Essential
Without this, Claude cannot complete the task correctly. Always include.
Helpful
Useful but not required. Improves quality or speed. Include if needed.
Noise
Irrelevant or distracting. Never include.
How to use the framework
- Start with essentials. Include only what is required for correctness.
- Add helpful context only if needed. Improve quality after the basics work.
- Remove noise entirely. If it does not help, it hurts.
Key Takeaways
- Use Essential, Helpful, Noise as your filter
- Start with essentials, then add carefully
- Avoid noise completely