Unlocking Persistent Memory: How Cline's new_task Tool Eliminates Context Window Limitations
Context windows have been both the power and limitation of AI coding assistants. They enable the contextual understanding that makes tools like Cline so useful, but their finite nature has always imposed constraints on complex, long-running tasks.
With Cline's latest features, we've created a solution that fundamentally changes how developers can work with AI assistants on complex projects.
The Context Window Problem
We implemented the context progress bar to make it visual when users should start new tasks. This is because after exceeding 50% of the context window, performance can dip, Cline might "forget" earlier parts of a conversation, and restarting means tedious re-explanation.
While larger context windows help (i.e. Gemini 2.5 Pro & GPT-4.1's 1m context window), they aren't a complete solution. What if Cline could proactively manage its own context before hitting limits?
"1 + 1 = 3" Solution
Cline now offers the building blocks to create exactly this kind of workflow, enabling a form of persistent memory for complex, long-running tasks. It's not just a single feature, but a powerful combination of capabilities that creates something greater than the sum of its parts:
1. Context Window Awareness: Cline internally tracks its context window usage (you can see this percentage in environment_details). It knows when it's approaching limits where performance might degrade (often noticeable past ~50% usage for many models).
2. The new_task Tool: This internal tool allows Cline (with your approval) to cleanly end the current session and immediately start a new one. Crucially, it can preload this new session with specific, structured context – summaries, file states, next steps, etc.
3. .clinerules for Automation: This is where the magic happens. You can define rules in .clinerules that tell Cline when to propose a handoff (e.g., "if context usage > 50%") and exactly what information to package into the <context> block of the new_task tool. We've created a .clinerules you can use for this workflow.
How It Works in Practice
The workflow we've designed is both powerful and elegant in its simplicity:
- Monitor: Cline monitors context usage as defined in your
.clinerules. - Trigger: When a threshold (e.g., 50%) is hit, Cline finishes its current step.
- Propose: Cline uses
ask_followup_questionto suggest creating a new task, showing the structured context it plans to carry over (based on your rules). - Handoff: If you approve, Cline uses
new_task, ending the current session and starting a new one instantly, preloaded with the precise context needed to continue.
Beyond Context Limits: The Real Benefits
By combining these elements, you create a workflow where Cline intelligently manages its own context before performance degrades or information is lost. No more manual resets just because the context window is full, and less time spent re-explaining the project state.
For complex tasks spanning multiple sessions, it provides a much smoother experience, feeling closer to working with an agent that has persistent memory. This allows you to focus on the coding task, letting the .clinerules handle the context management automatically in the background.
Other Possibilities for new_task
The new_task tool opens up a realm of possibilities beyond just context management. It enables structured workflows for complex projects, better task decomposition, and more predictable AI assistance. The rule-driven nature of the system means it's highly customizable to your specific development patterns and needs.
We're just beginning to explore what's possible with this paradigm of AI-assisted development. From automated context summarization to intelligent handoffs between specialized agents, this foundation serves as a springboard for future innovations.
Try It Yourself
The new new_task tool is available to all Cline users. We've provided comprehensive documentation to help you get started with building workflows that overcome context limitations.
This blog was written by Nick Baumann, Product Marketing at Cline. Follow us @cline for more insights into the future of development.
