Context Scope Tags (Chat Protocol)

A lightweight, portable convention for explicit context boundaries in chat.

Copy/paste cheat sheet (one screen)

• [ISO: \x3Ctopic>] fresh slate for this message (no prior project/topic context)
• [SCOPE: \x3Ctopic>] restrict to one named scope
• [GLOBAL] cross-topic reuse allowed (call out what was reused)
• [NOMEM] do not store long-term memory from this exchange
• [REM] persist preferences/decisions (requires a memory backend; otherwise advisory)

Examples:

• [ISO: marketing][NOMEM] Draft 5 ad angles for OpenClaw; don't store memory.
• [SCOPE: openclaw-mem] Explain why lane A is failing; keep it scoped.
• [GLOBAL][REM] Remember: display times in Asia/Taipei unless I say otherwise.

Quick start

1. Put one or more tags at the very start of your message.
2. Prefer this order: scope tag(s) then memory tag(s).
3. Write normally.

Optional: if your assistant supports command-style shortcuts, /ctx or /context_def can print this cheat sheet.

Tag parsing rules

• Tags must appear at the start of the user's message.
• Multiple tags are allowed.
• Tags do not override safety policies, tool access controls, approvals, or platform rules.

Conflicting tags

Some combinations conflict (for example [ISO] + [GLOBAL], or [REM] + [NOMEM]).

Recommended policy:

• Last tag wins for the conflicting dimension.
• If the combination is ambiguous, ask a clarifying question rather than guessing.

Supported tags

Isolation / scope

• [ISO: \x3Ctopic>] / [Isolated Context: \x3Ctopic>]

  • Treat as a fresh topic.
  • Do not pull in other conversation/project context unless the user explicitly re-provides it.
  • Allowed implicit carry-over: universal safety rules + a few stable user prefs (timezone, "don't apply changes without approval", etc.).

• [SCOPE: \x3Ctopic>] / [Scoped Context: \x3Ctopic>]

  • Restrict reasoning to the named scope.
  • If missing details inside the scope, ask clarifying questions.

• [GLOBAL] / [Global Context OK]

  • Cross-topic reuse is allowed.
  • When reusing prior context, call out what was reused.

Memory intent

• [NOMEM] / [No Memory]

  • Do not store durable/long-term memories from this exchange.

• [REM] / [Remember]

  • Signal that preferences/decisions in the message should be persisted.
  • Dependency note: actual persistence requires the host agent to have a memory subsystem enabled.

Default behavior (no tags)

• Be conservative about cross-topic mixing.
• If the user complains about topic bleed, suggest using the tags above.

Cross-platform / chat-surface notes

• Telegram slash commands cannot contain dashes.
  • Use /context_def (underscore), not /context-def.
• Slash commands may collide with other bots/skills.
  • If /ctx is already taken, use the tag syntax directly (it works everywhere).
• The tags themselves are just text; they work the same on Telegram/Discord/Slack/WhatsApp.
• If a surface auto-formats brackets, it's fine - just keep the tags at the very beginning.