Context Engineering
Purpose
Build comprehensive task context before making changes. Track constraints, dependencies, and execution order across multi-file work in Cooper's Electron architecture.
When to Use
- •Any multi-file or cross-process change (main ↔ preload ↔ renderer)
- •Changes that touch both IPC handlers and UI components
- •Features spanning multiple Cooper subsystems (SDK, terminal, voice, worktrees)
When NOT to Use
- •Single-file typo fixes or documentation-only changes
- •Changes isolated to a single component with no cross-process impact
Activation Rules
Step 1: Document Context
Before starting work, create a context block:
markdown
## Task Context **Objective**: [What are we trying to achieve?] **Scope**: [Which files/processes are affected?] **Process Boundary**: [main | preload | renderer | all] ### Dependencies - [List files/modules this change depends on] ### Constraints - [Cooper conventions: IPC contract, no Node in renderer, etc.] - [TypeScript strict mode] - [Tailwind-only styling] ### Assumptions - [What are we assuming?] ### Risk Areas - [Breaking IPC contracts?] - [Electron security model violations?]
Step 2: Track During Execution
Update context as you work:
- •Mark completed items
- •Note unexpected discoveries
- •Add new constraints found during implementation
Step 3: Validate Before Completion
- •All scope items addressed
- •No constraint violations
- •Dependencies properly handled
- •IPC contracts maintained
Cooper-Specific Examples
Example: Adding a new settings option
markdown
## Task Context **Objective**: Add "auto-save sessions" toggle to settings **Scope**: Settings component, electron-store, main process handler **Process Boundary**: all (main + preload + renderer) ### Dependencies - src/renderer/components/SettingsPanel.tsx - src/preload/preload.ts (new IPC bridge method) - src/main/main.ts (new IPC handler) ### Constraints - Must go through preload bridge (no direct Node access) - electron-store for persistence - Tailwind for styling
Success Criteria
- •Context documented before implementation starts
- •All cross-process impacts identified
- •No surprise breaking changes
Related Skills
- •planning-and-scoping — For task decomposition
- •electron-ipc-patterns — For IPC-specific context