From ac71aac0904518f04007edaf356f51bd7ad4c7bd Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Mario Zechner <badlogicgames@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2025 22:17:51 +0100
Subject: [PATCH] Use structured output format for compaction and branch
 summarization

Both now use consistent sections:
- Goal
- Constraints & Preferences
- Progress (Done/In Progress/Blocked)
- Key Decisions
- Next Steps
- Critical Context (compaction only)

Prompts instruct LLM to use EXACT format and preserve file paths/function names.
---
 .../core/compaction/branch-summarization.ts   | 33 +++++++++--
 .../src/core/compaction/compaction.ts         | 57 ++++++++++++++-----
 2 files changed, 69 insertions(+), 21 deletions(-)

diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/compaction/branch-summarization.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/compaction/branch-summarization.ts
index 4cb66dbf..5c7dd3af 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/compaction/branch-summarization.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/compaction/branch-summarization.ts
@@ -259,13 +259,34 @@ export function prepareBranchEntries(entries: SessionEntry[], tokenBudget: numbe
 // Summary Generation
 // ============================================================================
 
-const BRANCH_SUMMARY_PROMPT = `Summarize this conversation branch concisely for context when returning later:
-- Key decisions made and actions taken
-- Important context, constraints, or preferences discovered
-- Current state and any pending work
-- Critical information needed to continue from a different point
+const BRANCH_SUMMARY_PROMPT = `Create a structured summary of this conversation branch for context when returning later.
 
-Be brief and focused on what matters for future reference.`;
+Use this EXACT format:
+
+## Goal
+[1-2 sentences: What was the user trying to accomplish in this branch?]
+
+## Constraints & Preferences
+- [Any constraints, preferences, or requirements mentioned]
+- [Or "(none)" if none were mentioned]
+
+## Progress
+### Done
+- [x] [Completed tasks/changes]
+
+### In Progress
+- [ ] [Work that was started but not finished]
+
+### Blocked
+- [Issues preventing progress, if any]
+
+## Key Decisions
+- **[Decision]**: [Brief rationale]
+
+## Next Steps
+1. [What should happen next to continue this work]
+
+Keep each section concise. Preserve exact file paths, function names, and error messages.`;
 
 /**
  * Convert messages to text for the summarization prompt.
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/compaction/compaction.ts b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/compaction/compaction.ts
index 61e4b950..e7e362ee 100644
--- a/packages/coding-agent/src/core/compaction/compaction.ts
+++ b/packages/coding-agent/src/core/compaction/compaction.ts
@@ -328,16 +328,38 @@ export function findCutPoint(
 // Summarization
 // ============================================================================
 
-const SUMMARIZATION_PROMPT = `You are performing a CONTEXT CHECKPOINT COMPACTION. Create a handoff summary for another LLM that will resume the task.
+const SUMMARIZATION_PROMPT = `Create a structured context checkpoint summary. Another LLM will use this to continue the work.
 
-Include:
-- Current progress and key decisions made
-- Important context, constraints, or user preferences
-- Absolute file paths of any relevant files that were read or modified
-- What remains to be done (clear next steps)
-- Any critical data, examples, or references needed to continue
+Use this EXACT format:
 
-Be concise, structured, and focused on helping the next LLM seamlessly continue the work.`;
+## Goal
+[1-2 sentences: What is the user trying to accomplish?]
+
+## Constraints & Preferences
+- [Any constraints, preferences, or requirements mentioned by user]
+- [Or "(none)" if none were mentioned]
+
+## Progress
+### Done
+- [x] [Completed tasks/changes]
+
+### In Progress
+- [ ] [Current work]
+
+### Blocked
+- [Issues preventing progress, if any]
+
+## Key Decisions
+- **[Decision]**: [Brief rationale]
+
+## Next Steps
+1. [Ordered list of what should happen next]
+
+## Critical Context
+- [Any data, examples, or references needed to continue]
+- [Or "(none)" if not applicable]
+
+Keep each section concise. Preserve exact file paths, function names, and error messages.`;
 
 /**
  * Generate a summary of the conversation using the LLM.
@@ -451,15 +473,20 @@ export function prepareCompaction(
 // Main compaction function
 // ============================================================================
 
-const TURN_PREFIX_SUMMARIZATION_PROMPT = `You are performing a CONTEXT CHECKPOINT COMPACTION for a split turn.
-This is the PREFIX of a turn that was too large to keep in full. The SUFFIX (recent work) is being kept.
+const TURN_PREFIX_SUMMARIZATION_PROMPT = `This is the PREFIX of a turn that was too large to keep. The SUFFIX (recent work) is retained.
 
-Create a handoff summary that captures:
-- What the user originally asked for in this turn
-- Key decisions and progress made early in this turn
-- Important context needed to understand the kept suffix
+Summarize the prefix to provide context for the retained suffix:
 
-Be concise. Focus on information needed to understand the retained recent work.`;
+## Original Request
+[What did the user ask for in this turn?]
+
+## Early Progress
+- [Key decisions and work done in the prefix]
+
+## Context for Suffix
+- [Information needed to understand the retained recent work]
+
+Be concise. Focus on what's needed to understand the kept suffix.`;
 
 /**
  * Calculate compaction and generate summary.