Cc

---
name: cc
description: >
  Hotkey alias for "compact the context": prints a READY-made `/compact <block>` line in a
  canonical handoff format so the operator can paste it as the next message and squeeze working
  memory without losing the thread. Trigger on "/cc", "compact", "finish via compact". Part of
  the short-alias family (/tt /rr /cc /1).
license: MIT
---

# /cc — compact in one keystroke

**The pain:** a bare `/compact` does NOT read our format (measured: 0 out of 354 — everything fell
back to the default, #14160). The ONLY thing that works is pasting an inline block right after
`/compact`. The operator used to fetch that block by hand. Now `/cc` assembles it itself, already
enriched with this session, and hands over a ready-to-paste line.

**What this is NOT:** it is not `/retro`. Retro = the full end of a session (inventory of what was
built → routing rules to their homes → and only then the compact handoff). `/cc` is only the
compact handoff itself, lightweight, with no inventory: for when the operator just wants to shrink
the window at a task boundary rather than close the session.

## What to do when invoked

1. **Read the canonical template** — the single source of the format (never invent headings):
   ```bash
   cat "$HOME/.claude/compact-prompt.md"   # on Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.claude\compact-prompt.md
   ```
   The skeleton = 7 headings: DECISIONS · TODO · NOW · PATHS AND VALUES · COUNTERS · OPEN · TOOLS AND CONTRACTS.

2. **Enrich the block with the CURRENT session** — never hand over an empty template. Walk the 7
   headings and fill each one with the real, verbatim content of this chat (decisions + why, the
   active error under NOW, exact paths/values/IDs, self-check counters + `/tt` status ✅ vs not
   verified, what broke under OPEN). Rationales are the first thing to evaporate — preserve those
   first.

3. **Emit the READY line** — it starts with `/compact `, followed by the enriched block, all inside
   a single ```code``` block so the operator can copy it whole and paste it as the next message.
   Plus one line above it: "➤ Copy everything in the block below and paste it as your next message."

4. **🧒 In plain words** ([[eli5-always]]): "I'm packing our memory into a short note so nothing gets
   lost when the context is squeezed. Copy it and paste it."

## Boundaries
- The folder name is `cc`, so `/cc` works natively; "compact" and similar words are text triggers for the same skill. Case does not matter ([[commands-case-insensitive]]).
- The skill does NOT run the compact itself (that is a built-in command) and it sends/edits nothing — it only assembles text.
- When to fire it: at a task boundary around 60% of the window; don't wait for the auto-compact at 95% (that loses more).
- Don't confuse: `/tt` = test what was built · `/rr` = full retro · `/cc` = quick compact handoff · `/1` = resurrection after a crash.

---

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Built and battle-tested at **Palo Alto AI Research Lab** — a fleet of Claude Code machines
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production use before publication.

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