Context size of windsurf rules files too big

[Kjdragan]

Windsurf context file max for the global rules is 6000 tokens. Do you have a strategy for splitting it between the local and the global rules?

[zachary62]

Hi @Kjdragan could you elaborate on the 6000 token limit?
The .windsurfrules file still works for me well on my local machine.

[Kjdragan]

.windsurfrules file is limited to 6000 for the local and also the global, for a combined token limit of 12,000. The windsurf rules file from the template exists, but when I click on it, it shows this error originally. "You have exceeded the maximum token limit for this file." According to the Windsurf documents, while the file will still work partially, it will be truncated to 6000 tokens so it will not be capturing all the instructions when it's in one file. If it split between two, the local and the global, it might work better? The file can still be reviewed fully but Cascade won't be fully pasting in this prompt as part of its process.

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________________________________ From: Zach ***@***.***> Sent: Monday, April 7, 2025 3:02 PM To: The-Pocket/PocketFlow-Template-Python ***@***.***> Cc: Kevin Dragan ***@***.***>; Mention ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [The-Pocket/PocketFlow-Template-Python] Context size of windsurf rules files too big (Issue #3) [zachary62]zachary62 left a comment (The-Pocket/PocketFlow-Template-Python#3)<#3 (comment)> Hi @Kjdragan<https://github.com/Kjdragan> could you elaborate on the 6000 token limit? The .windsurfrules file still works for me well on my local machine. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#3 (comment)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AUROPSBE74YOMASIWTGXUE32YLKUPAVCNFSM6AAAAAB2UIGRGKVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDOOBUGQ4TENBSHA>. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.

[zachary62]

Yeah that makes sense! I tried to cut the rule but removing some advanced chapters (async, parallel, batch flow...), but still 12K tokens...
I don't know what's the best strategy to split between local and global. Not sure the difference. Maybe just an even split?

[pickleton89]

In Windsurf, I installed the contex7 mcp server. I then asked cascade

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Can you find the pocketflow using context7? https://github.com/The-Pocket/PocketFlow-Template-Python?tab=readme-ov-file

It responded that it could.

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I then asked:

• I am using the .windsurfrules form that for this project. However it is over 6000 words. Can i use context7 to provid that context to you for this project?

Response:
Yes, you can use Context7 to provide large, structured context (like your .windsurfrules file) to me for this project. Context7 is designed to help AI systems and coding assistants access and reason over large documentation, codebases, and rules—even when they exceed normal token or word limits.

How Context7 Helps With Large Contexts
Chunking: Context7 can break up large files (like your 6,000+ word .windsurfrules) into manageable pieces and retrieve the most relevant sections for your current query or coding task.
Semantic Search: When you ask a question, Context7 can search your .windsurfrules for the most relevant snippets, so I can answer based on the actual content, not just what fits in a single prompt.
Persistent Reference: Your .windsurfrules can be referenced repeatedly, so you don’t need to paste the whole thing every time.
How to Use Context7 With Your Project
Ensure the file is accessible: Your .windsurfrules is already in your project directory, so I can search and reference it as needed.
Ask questions or give instructions: Just tell me what you want to know or do, and I will use Context7-powered search to find the relevant rules or context from your .windsurfrules.
Automatic retrieval: When you ask about project rules, agentic coding, or related topics, I will proactively use Context7 to pull in the most relevant guidance from your .windsurfrules.
You do not need to manually split or summarize your .windsurfrules for me. Just make sure it’s in your project, and I’ll handle the rest.

If you want, I can demonstrate by answering a specific question using your .windsurfrules as context. Just ask!

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I haven't fully tested it, but seems like this could work.

[pickleton89]

I put together a file on using context7 inside of windsurf of the pocket-flow documentation. Feel free to take, use, and modify as you wish. context7_guide.md

[pickleton89]

I found another way to get around this issue. Can follow up on with this documentation:

Handing the windsurfrules character limit