bastani-inc · lavaman131 · Jun 8, 2026 · Jun 8, 2026
diff --git a/bun.lock b/bun.lock
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/coding-agent/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,12 @@
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.8.26-alpha.10] - 2026-06-08
+
+### Changed
+
+- Updated compaction documentation to explain transcript-bound Verbatim Compaction, validated logical deletion targets, critical overflow behavior, and legacy summary-compaction settings.
+
 ## [0.8.26-alpha.9] - 2026-06-07
 
 ### Changed

diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/compaction.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/compaction.md
diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/extensions.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/extensions.md
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ Extensions are TypeScript modules that extend Atomic's behavior. They can subscr
 
 **Key capabilities:**
 - **Custom tools** - Register tools the LLM can call via `pi.registerTool()`
-- **Event interception** - Block or modify tool calls, inject context, customize compaction
+- **Event interception** - Block or modify tool calls, inject context, customize legacy summary compaction and branch summaries
 - **User interaction** - Prompt users via `ctx.ui` (select, confirm, input, notify)
 - **Custom UI components** - Full TUI components with keyboard input via `ctx.ui.custom()` for complex interactions
 - **Custom commands** - Register commands like `/mycommand` via `pi.registerCommand()`
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ Extensions are TypeScript modules that extend Atomic's behavior. They can subscr
 - Permission gates (confirm before `rm -rf`, `sudo`, etc.)
 - Git checkpointing (stash at each turn, restore on branch)
 - Path protection (block writes to `.env`, `node_modules/`)
-- Custom compaction (summarize conversation your way)
+- Legacy custom summary compaction (summarize older context your way)
 - Conversation summaries (see `summarize.ts` example)
 - Interactive tools (questions, wizards, custom dialogs)
 - Stateful tools (todo lists, connection pools)
@@ -950,7 +950,7 @@ if (usage && usage.tokens > 100_000) {
 
 ### ctx.compact()
 
-Trigger Atomic's default Verbatim Compaction without awaiting completion. This is deletion-only Context Compaction: retained transcript content stays unchanged, and older low-signal objects are omitted by validated logical deletion. The approach is informed by Morph's Context Compaction write-up: [Morph's Context Compaction](https://www.morphllm.com/context-compaction). Use `onComplete` and `onError` for follow-up actions.
+Trigger Atomic's default Verbatim Compaction without awaiting completion. This is deletion-only Context Compaction: the internal planner searches/reads transcript slices, records exact entry/content-block deletion targets with transcript-bound tools, and Atomic applies only locally validated logical deletions. Retained transcript content stays unchanged. The approach is informed by Morph's Context Compaction write-up: [Morph's Context Compaction](https://www.morphllm.com/context-compaction). Use `onComplete` and `onError` for follow-up actions.
 
 ```typescript
 ctx.compact({
@@ -963,7 +963,7 @@ ctx.compact({
 });
 ```
 
-`customInstructions` is deprecated and ignored for default compaction because Verbatim Compaction never asks the model to write a custom summary.
+`customInstructions` is deprecated. Passing a non-empty value to default compaction fails because Verbatim Compaction does not accept custom summary instructions.
 
 ### ctx.getSystemPrompt()
 

diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/json.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/json.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ type AgentSessionEvent =
   | { type: "auto_retry_end"; success: boolean; attempt: number; finalError?: string };
 ```
 
-`queue_update` emits the full pending steering and follow-up queues whenever they change. `session_info_changed`, `model_changed`, and `thinking_level_changed` report interactive session metadata changes. `compaction_start` and `compaction_end` cover both manual and automatic Verbatim Compaction, Atomic's deletion-only Context Compaction approach inspired by [Morph's Context Compaction](https://www.morphllm.com/context-compaction).
+`queue_update` emits the full pending steering and follow-up queues whenever they change. `session_info_changed`, `model_changed`, and `thinking_level_changed` report interactive session metadata changes. `compaction_start` and `compaction_end` cover both manual and automatic Verbatim Compaction, Atomic's transcript-bound, deletion-only Context Compaction approach inspired by [Morph's Context Compaction](https://www.morphllm.com/context-compaction).
 
 Base events come from `AgentEvent` in `@earendil-works/pi-agent-core` (installed as an Atomic dependency):
 

diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/rpc.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/rpc.md
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ Response:
 
 #### compact
 
-Run Atomic's default Verbatim Compaction to reduce token usage. This command has no prompt/config fields; send no custom instructions. Atomic asks the selected model for deletion targets using a fixed internal prompt, validates them, appends a `context_compaction` entry, and rebuilds active context with surviving entries/content blocks reused verbatim. This deletion-only Context Compaction approach is informed by Morph's article: [Morph's Context Compaction](https://www.morphllm.com/context-compaction).
+Run Atomic's default Verbatim Compaction to reduce token usage. This command has no prompt/config fields; send no custom instructions. The selected model runs Atomic's fixed internal planner with transcript-bound tools (`context_search_transcript`, `context_read_entry`, `context_delete`, and `context_grep_delete`); Atomic validates the cumulative deletion targets locally, appends a `context_compaction` entry, and rebuilds active context with surviving entries/content blocks reused verbatim. This deletion-only Context Compaction approach is informed by Morph's article: [Morph's Context Compaction](https://www.morphllm.com/context-compaction).
 
 ```json
 {"type": "compact"}
@@ -761,8 +761,8 @@ Events are streamed to stdout as JSON lines during agent operation. Events do NO
 | `queue_update` | Pending steering/follow-up queue changed |
 | `compaction_start` | Default Verbatim Compaction begins |
 | `compaction_end` | Default Verbatim Compaction completes |
-| `context_compaction_start` | Legacy context-compaction RPC begins |
-| `context_compaction_end` | Legacy context-compaction RPC completes |
+| `context_compaction_start` | Compatibility `context_compact` RPC begins |
+| `context_compaction_end` | Compatibility `context_compact` RPC completes |
 | `auto_retry_start` | Auto-retry begins (after transient error) |
 | `auto_retry_end` | Auto-retry completes (success or final failure) |
 | `extension_error` | Extension threw an error |
@@ -950,7 +950,7 @@ If compaction failed (e.g., API quota exceeded), `result` is `null`, `aborted` i
 
 ### context_compaction_start / context_compaction_end
 
-Legacy RPC `context_compact` emits these events. The result contains `deletedTargets`, `protectedEntryIds`, `stats`, `promptVersion`, and optional `backupPath`.
+The compatibility RPC command `context_compact` emits these events. It uses the same deletion-only Verbatim Compaction path as `compact`, but reports the historical context-compaction event names. The result contains `deletedTargets`, `protectedEntryIds`, `stats`, `promptVersion`, and optional `backupPath`.
 
 ### auto_retry_start / auto_retry_end
 

diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/sdk.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/sdk.md
@@ -135,6 +135,8 @@ interface AgentSession {
 }
 ```
 
+`compact()` accepts no custom summary instructions. It runs the same transcript-bound Verbatim Compaction planner as `/compact`: inspect transcript slices, record exact deletion targets, validate them locally, append a `context_compaction` entry, and rebuild active context with retained content unchanged.
+
 Session replacement APIs such as new-session, resume, fork, and import live on `AgentSessionRuntime`, not on `AgentSession`.
 
 ### createAgentSessionRuntime() and AgentSessionRuntime

diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/session-format.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/session-format.md
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ Optional fields:
 
 ### ContextCompactionEntry
 
-Created by `/compact` and auto-compaction. Stores Atomic's default **Verbatim Compaction** data: validated logical deletion targets, not replacement text. During `buildSessionContext()`, matching entries/content blocks are filtered from active LLM context while retained content remains verbatim. This deletion-only Context Compaction approach is informed by Morph's write-up at [Morph's Context Compaction](https://www.morphllm.com/context-compaction).
+Created by `/compact`, RPC compaction commands, and auto-compaction. Stores Atomic's default **Verbatim Compaction** data: validated logical deletion targets, not replacement text. The internal planner can search/read transcript slices and record exact entry/content-block targets with transcript-bound tools; Atomic validates those targets locally before saving. During `buildSessionContext()`, matching entries/content blocks are filtered from active LLM context while retained content remains verbatim. This deletion-only Context Compaction approach is informed by Morph's write-up at [Morph's Context Compaction](https://www.morphllm.com/context-compaction).
 
 ```json
 {"type":"context_compaction","id":"ctx12345","parentId":"f6g7h8i9","timestamp":"2024-12-03T14:12:00.000Z","promptVersion":1,"deletedTargets":[{"kind":"entry","entryId":"b2c3d4e5"}],"protectedEntryIds":["a1b2c3d4"],"stats":{"objectsBefore":20,"objectsAfter":19,"objectsDeleted":1,"tokensBefore":50000,"tokensAfter":43000,"percentReduction":14},"backupPath":"/path/session.jsonl.2024-12-03T14-12-00-000Z.compact.bak"}

diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/sessions.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/sessions.md
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ For the JSONL file format and SessionManager API, see [Session Format](/session-
 | `/tree` | Navigate the current session tree |
 | `/fork` | Create a new session from a previous user message |
 | `/clone` | Duplicate the current active branch into a new session |
-| `/compact` | Apply Verbatim Compaction with validated logical deletions; see [Compaction](/compaction) |
+| `/compact` | Apply Verbatim Compaction with transcript-bound, validated logical deletions; see [Compaction](/compaction) |
 | `/export [file]` | Export session to HTML |
 | `/share` | Upload as private GitHub gist with shareable HTML link |
 

diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/settings.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/settings.md
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ Set `ATOMIC_SKIP_VERSION_CHECK=1` to disable the Atomic version update check. Us
 |---------|------|---------|-------------|
 | `compaction.enabled` | boolean | `true` | Enable automatic Verbatim Compaction |
 | `compaction.reserveTokens` | number | `16384` | Tokens reserved for LLM response |
-| `compaction.keepRecentTokens` | number | `20000` | Recent tokens to protect from deletion |
+| `compaction.keepRecentTokens` | number | `20000` | Legacy summary-compaction retained-token budget; default Verbatim Compaction protects recent entries structurally |
 
 ```json
 {

diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/docs/usage.md b/packages/coding-agent/docs/usage.md
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ Type `/` in the editor to open command completion. Extensions can register custo
 | `/tree` | Jump to any point in the session and continue from there |
 | `/fork` | Create a new session from a previous user message |
 | `/clone` | Duplicate the current active branch into a new session |
-| `/compact` | Run Verbatim Compaction by deleting safe older transcript objects |
+| `/compact` | Run Verbatim Compaction with transcript-bound deletion tools |
 | `/copy` | Copy last assistant message to clipboard |
 | `/export [file]` | Export session to HTML |
 | `/share` | Upload as private GitHub gist with shareable HTML link |
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ Useful session commands:
 - `/tree` navigates the in-file session tree and can summarize abandoned branches.
 - `/fork` creates a new session from an earlier user message.
 - `/clone` duplicates the current active branch into a new session file.
-- `/compact` uses Verbatim Compaction: a fixed no-argument deletion-only planner applies only validated logical deletions; retained transcript content stays verbatim. Atomic's approach is informed by Morph's Context Compaction article: [Morph's Context Compaction](https://www.morphllm.com/context-compaction).
+- `/compact` uses Verbatim Compaction: a fixed no-argument deletion-only planner searches/reads transcript slices, records exact deletion targets, and applies only locally validated logical deletions. Retained transcript content stays verbatim. Atomic's approach is informed by Morph's Context Compaction article: [Morph's Context Compaction](https://www.morphllm.com/context-compaction).
 
 See [Sessions](/sessions) and [Compaction](/compaction) for details.
 

diff --git a/packages/coding-agent/package.json b/packages/coding-agent/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@bastani/atomic",
-  "version": "0.8.26-alpha.9",
+  "version": "0.8.26-alpha.10",
   "description": "Atomic coding agent CLI with read, bash, edit, write tools and session management",
   "type": "module",
   "atomicConfig": {

diff --git a/packages/intercom/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/intercom/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,6 +4,12 @@ All notable changes to the `pi-intercom` extension will be documented in this fi
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.8.26-alpha.10] - 2026-06-08
+
+### Changed
+
+- Bumped package version for the Atomic 0.8.26-alpha.10 prerelease.
+
 ## [0.8.26-alpha.9] - 2026-06-07
 
 ### Changed

diff --git a/packages/intercom/package.json b/packages/intercom/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@bastani/intercom",
-  "version": "0.8.26-alpha.9",
+  "version": "0.8.26-alpha.10",
   "private": true,
   "description": "Atomic extension providing a private coordination channel between parent and child agent sessions. Fork of: https://github.com/nicobailon/pi-intercom",
   "contributors": [

diff --git a/packages/mcp/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/mcp/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,12 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.8.26-alpha.10] - 2026-06-08
+
+### Changed
+
+- Bumped package version for the Atomic 0.8.26-alpha.10 prerelease.
+
 ## [0.8.26-alpha.9] - 2026-06-07
 
 ### Changed

diff --git a/packages/mcp/package.json b/packages/mcp/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@bastani/mcp",
-  "version": "0.8.26-alpha.9",
+  "version": "0.8.26-alpha.10",
   "private": true,
   "description": "Atomic extension that adapts MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers into the coding agent. Fork of: https://github.com/nicobailon/pi-mcp-adapter",
   "contributors": [

diff --git a/packages/subagents/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/subagents/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,12 @@
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.8.26-alpha.10] - 2026-06-08
+
+### Changed
+
+- Bumped package version for the Atomic 0.8.26-alpha.10 prerelease.
+
 ## [0.8.26-alpha.9] - 2026-06-07
 
 ### Changed

diff --git a/packages/subagents/package.json b/packages/subagents/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@bastani/subagents",
-  "version": "0.8.26-alpha.9",
+  "version": "0.8.26-alpha.10",
   "private": true,
   "description": "Atomic extension for delegating tasks to subagents with chains, parallel execution, and TUI clarification. Fork of: https://github.com/nicobailon/pi-subagents",
   "contributors": [

diff --git a/packages/web-access/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/web-access/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,6 +4,12 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.8.26-alpha.10] - 2026-06-08
+
+### Changed
+
+- Bumped package version for the Atomic 0.8.26-alpha.10 prerelease.
+
 ## [0.8.26-alpha.9] - 2026-06-07
 
 ### Changed

diff --git a/packages/web-access/package.json b/packages/web-access/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@bastani/web-access",
-  "version": "0.8.26-alpha.9",
+  "version": "0.8.26-alpha.10",
   "private": true,
   "description": "Atomic extension for web search, URL fetching, GitHub repo cloning, PDF/video extraction. Fork of: https://github.com/nicobailon/pi-web-access",
   "contributors": [

diff --git a/packages/workflows/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/workflows/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -6,6 +6,12 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/),
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.8.26-alpha.10] - 2026-06-08
+
+### Changed
+
+- Bumped package version for the Atomic 0.8.26-alpha.10 prerelease.
+
 ## [0.8.26-alpha.9] - 2026-06-07
 
 ### Changed

diff --git a/packages/workflows/package.json b/packages/workflows/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@bastani/workflows",
-  "version": "0.8.26-alpha.9",
+  "version": "0.8.26-alpha.10",
   "private": true,
   "description": "Atomic extension for multi-stage workflow authoring and execution.",
   "contributors": [
-Original file line number
+Diff line change
@@ Expand Up / @@ -135,6 +135,8 @@ interface AgentSession { @@
     }
     ```
+    `compact()` accepts no custom summary instructions. It runs the same transcript-bound Verbatim Compaction planner as `/compact`: inspect transcript slices, record exact deletion targets, validate them locally, append a `context_compaction` entry, and rebuild active context with retained content unchanged.
     Session replacement APIs such as new-session, resume, fork, and import live on `AgentSessionRuntime`, not on `AgentSession`.
     ### createAgentSessionRuntime() and AgentSessionRuntime
@@ Expand Down @@