Providing context

Also called: giving background, context engineering

DEFINITION

Supplying the specific material the model needs — the document, the facts, the constraints, examples of what 'good' looks like — instead of expecting it to know your situation.

WHY IT MATTERS

A model can't read your mind or your files. The difference between a generic answer and a useful one is usually the context you did or didn't paste in.

COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH

A longer prompt for its own sake. Context is relevant material, not more words; irrelevant filler can crowd out what matters within the window.