Managing Context

For a deeper dive into how context works in Cursor, check out our Working with Context guide.

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Menu

Using the context menu you can select and pick what you want to send to the model.

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States

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Condensed

When files or folders are too large to fit within the context window, Cursor automatically condenses them. Condensing shows the model key structural elements like function signatures, classes, and methods. From this condensed view, the model can choose to expand specific files if needed. This smart condensing approach helps maximize the effective use of the available context window.

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Significantly Condensed

When a file name appears with a “Significantly Condensed” label, it means the file was too large to include in full, even in condensed form. Only the file name will be shown to the model.

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Not included

When a warning icon appears next to a file or folder, it indicates that the item is too large to be included in the context window, even in condensed form. This helps you understand which parts of your codebase are currently accessible to the model.