Coding with AI tools

Stage 3 · Lesson 7 of 7

Fresh context for each task

Prompting for code: small tasks, clear specs

Every message, file and command output stays in the conversation and competes for the model's attention. Start a new conversation for each unrelated task, and compact or summarise long ones so old detail does not confuse new work. In , /clear starts fresh, /compact summarises with optional focus instructions, /context shows what fills the window, and /btw asks a side question that stays out of the history.

In Cursor, Cmd+N or Ctrl+N opens a and the ring beside the input shows usage. In Copilot chat, /clear starts a new chat and /compact compacts. A useful rule from 's best practices: after two failed corrections, clear and start again with a better prompt.

Common trapcorrecting the same mistake over and over in one long, polluted conversation.

A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 2 cheat sheet entries come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it

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