AI dictionary for work
Context window
How much the AI can "see" at once.
What it means
The context window is the total amount of text — your prompt plus the conversation plus any files — the model can hold in mind for a single answer. Go past it and the oldest material falls out of view.
Why it matters at work
It is why a very long chat starts "forgetting" earlier instructions, and why pasting a 200-page document whole can backfire. Give the model the few pages that matter.
Beginner mistake
Assuming the AI remembers everything from an hour-long conversation. Important standing instructions should be repeated or pinned, not buried.
Example prompt
Before we continue, here are the three rules to follow for the rest of this chat: (1) ... (2) ... (3) ... Confirm you have them.
Go deeper
Last updated 2026-06-16 · Reviewed for current AI tools