Glossary · Prompting & context
Context Window
The maximum token capacity available to one model inference under a specific model and API contract. The capacity may include system instructions, messages, retrieved content, tool exchanges, and generated output, with provider-specific accounting and output limits.
Why it matters
Conversation history is only available when the application sends or reconstructs it. A large window does not guarantee that every included detail will be used reliably.
Common confusion
Context is temporary input to an inference. Durable memory is stored outside the model and selected back into later context.
Related terms
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