APPENDIX C: PATTERNS CATALOG

CONTEXT PATTERNS Compaction pattern: when the transcript passes a size threshold, the harness summarizes the oldest part and keeps the recent messages in full. Use this when: conversations run long enough to threaten the context window. Memory tiers pattern: information lives in three levels, namely active context, warm compressed summaries, and cold full transcripts, and the harness moves it between levels as needed. Use this when: the agent needs to remember a lot but can only hold a little at once. External notes pattern: the agent writes key facts and progress to a file and reads the file back when needed. Use this when: the task spans many steps or might be interrupted and resumed. System reminder pattern: short guidance is re-inserted at intervals so important rules stay fresh in a long session. Use this when: you see the agent drifting away from a rule as conversations grow. Retrieval pattern: instead of loading everything, the harness fetches only the passages relevant to the current question. Use this when: the knowledge source is far bigger than the context window. Instruction placement pattern: the most important rules go near the beginning and the end of the context. Use this when: you have a long context and critical rules that must not be missed.