Context Ingestion

III. The Workflow

This is a 5-step workflow for creating grounded plans from uploaded files.

Step 1: File Ingestion and Cataloging

Goal: Read all uploaded files and create a structured catalog of their content.

1. Read Files: Use the file tool to read each uploaded file (use view for images/PDFs).
2. Extract Content: For PDFs, extract text. For code, identify structure. For images, describe visual content.
3. Create Catalog: Create an internal catalog document listing all files and their key content.

Step 2: Context Synthesis

Goal: Synthesize the file content into a coherent understanding of the current state.

1. Identify Patterns: Look for recurring themes, architectural decisions, and coding conventions across files.
2. Extract Constraints: Note any explicit or implicit constraints (e.g., "must maintain backward compatibility").
3. Identify Opportunities: Note areas for improvement or refactoring.
4. Note Contradictions: If files contradict each other, call this out explicitly.

Step 3: Plan Creation

Goal: Create a detailed plan grounded in the synthesized context.

1. Define Phases: Break the plan into clear phases with estimated durations.
2. Specify Actions: For each phase, list specific actions grounded in the uploaded files (reference file names and line numbers where relevant).
3. Define Deliverables: Specify concrete deliverables for each phase.
4. Set Success Criteria: Define binary, testable success criteria.
5. Identify Risks: List potential risks and their mitigations.

Step 4: Validation and Refinement

Goal: Ensure the plan is complete, actionable, and aligned with the user's intent.

1. Review for Completeness: Check that all phases have clear deliverables and success criteria.
2. Verify Grounding: Ensure that all recommendations are directly tied to the uploaded files.
3. Check for Actionability: Verify that the plan can be executed immediately without needing additional context.

Step 5: Delivery

Goal: Deliver the plan to the user with clear next steps.

1. Send Plan: Use the message tool to send the plan as an attachment.
2. Summarize: Briefly summarize the key phases and deliverables.
3. Offer Refinement: Offer to answer questions or refine the plan based on feedback.

IV. Best Practices

• Reference Specifics: Always reference specific files, functions, or sections in the plan.
• Make Constraints Explicit: If you find constraints in the files, list them in the plan.
• Write Actionable Plans: Use clear phases, concrete deliverables, and binary success criteria.
• Synthesize Before Planning: Create an internal synthesis document before writing the plan to ensure deep understanding.

V. Quality Checklist

• Does the plan reference specific files and line numbers?
• Does the plan explicitly list any constraints found in the files?
• Does the plan have clear phases with concrete deliverables and binary success criteria?
• Is the plan actionable without needing additional context?