The context window looks the same, but less space is usable.
It is like a giant chip bag. Same bag. More air. Fewer chips.
You meet it with long chats and big docs. They get forgotten sooner, so summaries and Q&A can miss things.
Context-window
Context Shrinkflation is the gap between listed space and usable space.
Token
Hidden prompts and tool logs also spend the token budget.
Ctx Compression
Ctx Compression can shrink old content and free some room.
Token Efficiency
Token Efficiency cuts waste from hidden token costs.