Fix: Cursor Says Context Window Is Getting Long
Quick Answer
Click "Start new conversation" in Cursor chat. Before doing so, ask Cursor to summarize the current state: what you've built, what works, and what's next. Save that summary and paste it at the start of your new conversation.
Quick Fix Summary
| Issue | Context window full |
| Fastest fix | Summarize before restarting |
| Use this page if | Warning: Context window is getting long, consider starting a new conversation |
Symptoms
- !Warning: Context window is getting long, consider starting a new conversation
- !AI responses become vague or generic after many messages
- !Cursor starts forgetting earlier instructions
- !Code suggestions reference wrong files or outdated context
Step-by-Step Fix
Summarize before restarting
Before starting a new conversation, paste this prompt: 'Summarize the current state of this project: what we've built, what works, what's broken, and what we're building next.' Copy the summary Cursor gives you.
Start fresh with context
Click the + button to start a new chat. Paste your saved summary as the first message. This gives the AI all the context it needs without the token overhead of 50+ messages.
Keep conversations focused
One conversation per feature. Don't let a single chat span authentication, database schema, AND frontend styling. Break it up.
Use @file instead of pasting code
Instead of pasting code into chat (which eats tokens), use @file references. Cursor reads the file directly without using your context window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically 30-60 messages on a medium project. Large files and long code blocks fill it faster. Keep conversations focused on one feature to extend this.
No. Your code files are unchanged. Only the chat history resets. Save a summary before restarting and you lose nothing.
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