feat: optimize SEARCH/REPLACE quick chat for concise context and output rules

- Refactor quick chat SEARCH/REPLACE message setup for stricter Aider-style output
- Only emit SEARCH/REPLACE blocks, with clear output and matching rules
- Remove buffer context from quick chat, improving token efficiency, can
  be added with #buffer
- Centralize and clarify context-specific guidance and dynamic rule composition

Author: sudo-tee

lua/opencode/context.lua

@@ -5,9 +5,7 @@
 local util = require('opencode.util')
 local config = require('opencode.config')
 local state = require('opencode.state')
-local Promise = require('opencode.promise')
 
--- Import extracted modules
 local ContextInstance = require('opencode.context.base')
 local json_formatter = require('opencode.context.json_formatter')
 local plain_text_formatter = require('opencode.context.plain_text_formatter')
@@ -136,13 +134,6 @@ function M.get_current_selection()
   return global_context:get_current_selection()
 end
 
---- Formats context as plain text for LLM consumption
---- Outputs human-readable text instead of JSON message parts
---- Alias: format_message_quick_chat
----@param prompt string The user's instruction/prompt
----@param context_instance ContextInstance Context instance to use
----@param opts? { range?: { start: integer, stop: integer }, buf?: integer }
----@return table result { text: string, parts: OpencodeMessagePart[] }
 M.format_message_plain_text = plain_text_formatter.format_message
 
 --- Formats a prompt and context into message with parts for the opencode API
@@ -185,12 +176,6 @@ function M.format_message(prompt, opts)
   return parts
 end
 
---- Formats a prompt and context into plain text message for quick chat
---- Alias for format_message_plain_text - used for ephemeral sessions
----@param prompt string
----@param context_instance ContextInstance Context instance to use
----@param opts? { range?: { start: integer, stop: integer }, buf?: integer }
----@return table result { text: string, parts: OpencodeMessagePart[] }
 M.format_message_quick_chat = plain_text_formatter.format_message
 
 ---@param text string

lua/opencode/context/plain_text_formatter.lua

@@ -105,6 +105,26 @@ function M.format_buffer(buf, lang)
   return string.format('FILE: %s\n\n```%s\n%s\n```', rel_path, lang, content)
 end
 
+---@param buf integer
+---@param lang string
+---@param rel_path string
+---@param range {start: integer, stop: integer}
+---@return string
+function M.format_range(buf, lang, rel_path, range)
+  local start_line = math.max(1, range.start)
+  local end_line = range.stop
+  local range_lines = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_lines(buf, start_line - 1, end_line, false)
+  local range_text = table.concat(range_lines, '\n')
+
+  local parts = {
+    string.format('Selected range from %s (lines %d-%d):', rel_path, start_line, end_line),
+    '```' .. lang,
+    range_text,
+    '```',
+  }
+  return table.concat(parts, '\n')
+end
+
 --- Formats context as plain text for LLM consumption (used by quick chat)
 --- Unlike format_message_quick_chat, this outputs human-readable text instead of JSON
 ---@param prompt string The user's instruction/prompt
@@ -113,7 +133,9 @@ end
 ---@return table result { text: string, parts: OpencodeMessagePart[] }
 M.format_message = Promise.async(function(prompt, context_instance, opts)
   opts = opts or {}
-  local buf = opts.buf or context_instance:get_current_buf() or vim.api.nvim_get_current_buf()
+  local buf = vim.api.nvim_get_current_buf()
+  local win = vim.api.nvim_get_current_win()
+
   local range = opts.range
 
   local file_name = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_name(buf)
@@ -122,24 +144,17 @@ M.format_message = Promise.async(function(prompt, context_instance, opts)
 
   local text_parts = {}
 
-  -- Add file/buffer content
-  if context_instance:is_context_enabled('buffer') then
+  if context_instance:is_context_enabled('selection') then
     if range and range.start and range.stop then
-      local start_line = math.max(1, range.start)
-      local end_line = range.stop
-      local range_lines = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_lines(buf, start_line - 1, end_line, false)
-      local range_text = table.concat(range_lines, '\n')
-
-      table.insert(text_parts, string.format('FILE: %s (lines %d-%d)', rel_path, start_line, end_line))
       table.insert(text_parts, '')
-      table.insert(text_parts, '```' .. lang)
-      table.insert(text_parts, range_text)
-      table.insert(text_parts, '```')
-    else
-      table.insert(text_parts, M.format_buffer(buf, lang))
+      table.insert(text_parts, M.format_range(buf, lang, rel_path, range))
     end
   end
 
+  if context_instance:is_context_enabled('buffer') then
+    table.insert(text_parts, M.format_buffer(buf, lang))
+  end
+
   for _, sel in ipairs(context_instance:get_selections() or {}) do
     table.insert(text_parts, '')
     table.insert(text_parts, M.format_selection(sel))
@@ -159,8 +174,7 @@ M.format_message = Promise.async(function(prompt, context_instance, opts)
   end
 
   if context_instance:is_context_enabled('cursor_data') then
-    local current_buf, current_win = context_instance:get_current_buf()
-    local cursor_data = context_instance:get_current_cursor_data(current_buf or buf, current_win or 0)
+    local cursor_data = context_instance:get_current_cursor_data(buf, win)
     if cursor_data then
       table.insert(text_parts, '')
       table.insert(text_parts, M.format_cursor_data(cursor_data, lang))

lua/opencode/quick_chat.lua

@@ -167,135 +167,66 @@ local function validate_quick_chat_prerequisites(message)
 end
 
 --- Creates context configuration for quick chat
+--- Optimized for minimal token usage while providing essential context
 ---@param has_range boolean Whether a range is specified
 ---@return OpencodeContextConfig context_opts
 local function create_context_config(has_range)
   return {
     enabled = true,
-    current_file = { enabled = false },
-    cursor_data = { enabled = not has_range },
-    selection = { enabled = has_range },
+    current_file = { enabled = false }, -- Disable full file content
+    cursor_data = { enabled = not has_range, context_lines = 10 }, -- Only cursor position when no selection
+    selection = { enabled = has_range }, -- Only selected text when range provided
     diagnostics = {
       enabled = true,
       error = true,
       warning = true,
       info = false,
-      only_closest = has_range,
+      only_closest = true, -- Only closest diagnostics, not all file diagnostics
     },
-    agents = { enabled = false },
-    buffer = { enabled = true },
-    git_diff = { enabled = false },
+    agents = { enabled = false }, -- No agent context needed
+    buffer = { enabled = false }, -- Disable full buffer content for token efficiency
+    git_diff = { enabled = false }, -- No git context needed
   }
 end
 
 --- Generates instructions for the LLM to follow the SEARCH/REPLACE format
+--- This is inspired from Aider Chat approach
 ---@param context_instance ContextInstance Context instance
 ---@return string[] instructions Array of instruction lines
-local function generate_search_replace_instructions(context_instance)
+local generate_search_replace_instructions = Promise.async(function(context_instance)
   local base_instructions = {
-    '# ROLE',
-    'You are a precise code editing assistant. Your task is to modify code based on user instructions.',
-    '',
-    '# OUTPUT FORMAT',
-    'You MUST output ONLY in SEARCH/REPLACE blocks. No explanations, no markdown, no additional text.',
-    '',
+    'Output ONLY SEARCH/REPLACE blocks, no explanations:',
     '<<<<<<< SEARCH',
-    '[exact lines from the original code]',
+    '[exact original code]',
     '=======',
-    '[modified version of those lines]',
+    '[modified code]',
     '>>>>>>> REPLACE',
     '',
-    '# CRITICAL RULES',
-    '1. **Exact matching**: Copy SEARCH content EXACTLY character-for-character from the provided code',
-    '2. **Context lines**: Include 1-3 unchanged surrounding lines in SEARCH for unique identification',
-    '3. **Indentation**: Preserve the exact indentation from the original code',
-    '4. **Multiple changes**: Use separate SEARCH/REPLACE blocks for each distinct change',
-    '5. **No explanations**: Output ONLY the SEARCH/REPLACE blocks, nothing else',
-    '',
+    'Rules: Copy SEARCH content exactly. Include 1-3 context lines for unique matching. Use empty SEARCH to insert at cursor. Output multiple blocks only if needed for more complex operations.',
   }
 
-  -- Add context-specific guidance
   local context_guidance = {}
 
-  if context_instance:has('diagnostics') then
-    table.insert(context_guidance, '**DIAGNOSTICS context**: Use error/warning information to guide your fixes')
+  if context_instance:has('diagnostics'):await() then
+    table.insert(context_guidance, 'Fix errors/warnings (if asked)')
   end
 
-  if context_instance:has('selection') then
-    table.insert(context_guidance, '**SELECTION context**: Only modify code within the selected range')
+  if context_instance:has('selection'):await() then
+    table.insert(context_guidance, 'Modify only selected range')
   elseif context_instance:has('cursor_data') then
-    table.insert(context_guidance, '**CURSOR context**: Focus modifications near the cursor position')
+    table.insert(context_guidance, 'Modify only near cursor')
   end
 
-  if context_instance:has('git_diff') then
-    table.insert(context_guidance, '**GIT_DIFF context**: For reference only - never copy git diff syntax into SEARCH')
+  if context_instance:has('git_diff'):await() then
+    table.insert(context_guidance, "ONLY Reference git diff (don't copy syntax)")
   end
 
   if #context_guidance > 0 then
-    table.insert(base_instructions, '# CONTEXT USAGE')
-    for _, guidance in ipairs(context_guidance) do
-      table.insert(base_instructions, '- ' .. guidance)
-    end
-    table.insert(base_instructions, '')
-  end
-
-  -- Add practical examples
-  local examples = {
-    '# EXAMPLES',
-    '',
-    '**Modify a return value:**',
-    '<<<<<<< SEARCH',
-    'function calculate()',
-    '  local result = x + y',
-    '  return result * 2',
-    'end',
-    '=======',
-    'function calculate()',
-    '  local result = x + y',
-    '  return result * 3  -- Changed multiplier',
-    'end',
-    '>>>>>>> REPLACE',
-    '',
-    '**Insert a new line:**',
-    '<<<<<<< SEARCH',
-    'local config = {',
-    '  timeout = 5000,',
-    '}',
-    '=======',
-    'local config = {',
-    '  timeout = 5000,',
-    '  retry_count = 3,',
-    '}',
-    '>>>>>>> REPLACE',
-    '',
-    '**Remove a line:**',
-    '<<<<<<< SEARCH',
-    'local debug_mode = true',
-    'local verbose = true',
-    'local silent = false',
-    '=======',
-    'local debug_mode = true',
-    'local silent = false',
-    '>>>>>>> REPLACE',
-    '',
-    '**Insert new code at cursor (empty SEARCH):**',
-    'When the cursor is on an empty line or you need to insert without replacing, use an empty SEARCH section:',
-    '<<<<<<< SEARCH',
-    '=======',
-    'local new_variable = "inserted at cursor"',
-    '>>>>>>> REPLACE',
-    '',
-    '# FINAL REMINDER',
-    'Output ONLY the SEARCH/REPLACE blocks. The SEARCH section must match the original code exactly.',
-    'Use an empty SEARCH section to insert new code at the cursor position.',
-  }
-
-  for _, line in ipairs(examples) do
-    table.insert(base_instructions, line)
+    table.insert(base_instructions, 'Context: ' .. table.concat(context_guidance, ', ') .. '.')
   end
 
   return base_instructions
-end
+end)
 
 --- Creates message parameters for quick chat
 ---@param message string The user message
@@ -311,7 +242,7 @@ local create_message = Promise.async(function(message, buf, range, context_insta
   if quick_chat_config.instructions then
     instructions = quick_chat_config.instructions
   else
-    instructions = generate_search_replace_instructions(context_instance)
+    instructions = generate_search_replace_instructions(context_instance):await()
   end
 
   local format_opts = { buf = buf }
@@ -365,11 +296,6 @@ M.quick_chat = Promise.async(function(message, options, range)
   local row, col = cursor_pos[1] - 1, cursor_pos[2] -- Convert to 0-indexed
   local spinner = CursorSpinner.new(buf, row, col)
 
-  -- Create context instance for diagnostics and other context
-  local context_config = vim.tbl_deep_extend('force', create_context_config(range ~= nil), options.context_config or {})
-  local context_instance = context.new_instance(context_config)
-
-  -- Check prompt guard with the current file
   local file_name = vim.api.nvim_buf_get_name(buf)
   local mentioned_files = file_name ~= '' and { file_name } or {}
   local allowed, err_msg = util.check_prompt_allowed(config.values.prompt_guard, mentioned_files)
@@ -396,6 +322,8 @@ M.quick_chat = Promise.async(function(message, options, range)
     timestamp = vim.uv.now(),
   }
 
+  local context_config = vim.tbl_deep_extend('force', create_context_config(range ~= nil), options.context_config or {})
+  local context_instance = context.new_instance(context_config)
   local params = create_message(message, buf, range, context_instance, options):await()
 
   local success, err = pcall(function()