Useful context changes the answer and is safe for the chosen tool.
Do now: For one prompt, mark every detail keep, remove, anonymise or verify.
Relevant does not automatically mean permitted.Better context improves fit, but unnecessary data increases confusion, cost and privacy risk.
Use the changes-the-answer test
Ask whether the answer would materially change without each detail. Keep audience, location, constraints, definitions and source material that matter.
Remove biography, old drafts and examples that do not affect the task. Summarise long background when exact wording is not required.
Context earns its place by changing the work.
Minimise and anonymise
Use the least personal or confidential data necessary. Replace names and identifiers with roles or codes where possible, and use synthetic examples for learning.
Permission depends on the data owner, tool terms, organisation policy and law—not your confidence that the model will be discreet.
Label sources and freshness
Separate instructions from source text. Include dates, versions and origin when they affect interpretation.
Tell the model which source is authoritative and what to do when sources disagree or lack an answer.
Clean context makes missing information visible.