What is shared context?

Definition

Shared context can include goals, documents, decisions, task status, messages, definitions, constraints, and tool results. A common view reduces repeated explanation and helps people and agents interpret new actions against the same project state.

Sharing should be deliberate rather than automatic. Systems need source attribution, versioning, role-based visibility, minimization, correction, and separation of personal information so collaboration does not become uncontrolled data exposure.

ELI5

Shared context is the information a group agrees to use together while working. It helps everyone, including an AI agent, understand the same goals, decisions, and current state.

For example, a team can share the approved project brief and task board with its agent. Private direct messages stay outside that context unless their owners choose to add them.

Frequently asked questions

What information belongs in shared context?

Relevant goals, definitions, documents, decisions, constraints, task state, evidence, messages, and tool results can belong there when participants are authorized to access them.

How should private information be kept out of shared context?

Use explicit sharing, role-based access, separate stores, minimization, provenance, redaction, retention rules, and checks before information enters a group session.

Videos explaining shared context

  1. Nathaniel Whittemore beside the headline AI Agents Go Multiplayer