# How to Verify Ollama Context Length with OpenClaude

> Discover how to verify Ollama context length using OpenClaude. Learn how OpenClaude automatically checks for a 32768 token context window and warns you if it's insufficient.

- Repository: [Gitlawb/openclaude](https://github.com/Gitlawb/openclaude)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-09-06

---

**OpenClaude automatically validates that your Ollama instance supports a 32,768-token context window by executing `ollama ps` and parsing the CONTEXT field, surfacing a warning if the reported value is smaller than the required 32 KB.**

When integrating local LLMs through Ollama, OpenClaude requires a minimum context length of 32,768 tokens to handle complex conversational workflows effectively. The Gitlawb/openclaude CLI performs proactive validation of this requirement every time you initiate a chat session with an Ollama model. This verification ensures your local inference environment meets the necessary specifications before processing requests.

## How OpenClaude Automatically Validates Context Length

OpenClaude embeds context verification directly into the chat initialization flow. When you specify an Ollama model (e.g., `ollama:llama3.1:8b`), the CLI executes an internal validation routine that inspects the running Ollama instance's configuration.

In [`src/utils/statusNoticeLocalModel.ts`](https://github.com/Gitlawb/openclaude/blob/main/src/utils/statusNoticeLocalModel.ts), the function `checkOllamaContextLength()` executes the `ollama ps` command and forwards the output to `parseOllamaPsContextWarning()`. This parser extracts the **CONTEXT** value associated with the active model. If the detected context size is insufficient, `summarizeOllamaContextWarning()` formats a user-visible alert:

```

Ollama context length is too small
OpenClaude requests 32768 tokens for Ollama chats. If `ollama ps` keeps showing a smaller CONTEXT after a new request, restart Ollama and verify with `ollama ps`.

```

To trigger this automatic check, simply run any chat command targeting an Ollama model:

```bash
openclaude chat --model ollama:llama3.1:8b

```

If the context is inadequate, the warning appears immediately in your terminal output before the chat begins.

## Manual Verification Using `ollama ps`

You can independently verify the context length without triggering a full OpenClaude chat session. After starting your Ollama model, inspect the process status to confirm the **CONTEXT** column displays **32768** or higher.

```bash
ollama ps

```

Example output showing sufficient context:

```text
NAME                  ID              SIZE      PROCESSOR    UNTIL               CONTEXT
llama3.1:8b           ...             4.7 GB    100% GPU     4 minutes from now  32768

```

If the **CONTEXT** value shows less than 32768, your Ollama instance is configured below OpenClaude's requirements. According to the source code in [`src/utils/providerDiscovery.ts`](https://github.com/Gitlawb/openclaude/blob/main/src/utils/providerDiscovery.ts), OpenClaude relies on standard Ollama endpoint discovery to locate the instance being checked, so ensure you are querying the correct server.

## Resolving Context Length Warnings

When OpenClaude reports insufficient context or manual inspection reveals a value below 32768, restart the Ollama server to reset the configuration. The warning message explicitly recommends this approach when the context size persists incorrectly.

```bash
ollama stop
ollama start

```

After restarting, run `ollama ps` again to confirm the **CONTEXT** column now displays 32768. Once verified, subsequent OpenClaude chat sessions will proceed without context warnings. The validation logic includes comprehensive unit tests in [`src/__tests__/statusNoticeLocalModel.test.ts`](https://github.com/Gitlawb/openclaude/blob/main/src/__tests__/statusNoticeLocalModel.test.ts) to ensure accurate detection of low-context scenarios.

## Summary

- OpenClaude requires a **32,768-token** (32 KB) minimum context window for all Ollama interactions.
- Automatic validation occurs via `checkOllamaContextLength()` in [`src/utils/statusNoticeLocalModel.ts`](https://github.com/Gitlawb/openclaude/blob/main/src/utils/statusNoticeLocalModel.ts), which parses `ollama ps` output.
- The CLI warns you immediately if the **CONTEXT** field is insufficient, displaying the actual detected value alongside the required 32K specification.
- Manual verification uses the standard `ollama ps` command to inspect the **CONTEXT** column.
- Restarting Ollama (`ollama stop` followed by `ollama start`) typically resolves persistent low-context issues.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the minimum context length OpenClaude requires for Ollama?

OpenClaude requires a minimum context length of **32,768 tokens** (32 KB) for Ollama models. This specification ensures adequate room for system prompts, conversation history, and model responses during extended chat sessions.

### Which source files handle the context verification logic?

The primary implementation resides in [`src/utils/statusNoticeLocalModel.ts`](https://github.com/Gitlawb/openclaude/blob/main/src/utils/statusNoticeLocalModel.ts), which contains `checkOllamaContextLength()`, `parseOllamaPsContextWarning()`, and `summarizeOllamaContextWarning()`. Supporting utilities for Ollama endpoint discovery are located in [`src/utils/providerDiscovery.ts`](https://github.com/Gitlawb/openclaude/blob/main/src/utils/providerDiscovery.ts), while [`src/__tests__/statusNoticeLocalModel.test.ts`](https://github.com/Gitlawb/openclaude/blob/main/src/__tests__/statusNoticeLocalModel.test.ts) provides test coverage for the warning behavior.

### How does OpenClaude detect the context length?

OpenClaude executes `ollama ps` through the `checkOllamaContextLength()` function and parses the command's output to extract the **CONTEXT** field value for the active model. This value is compared against the 32,768-token threshold to determine if the environment meets requirements.

### What should I do if OpenClaude reports the context length is too small?

If OpenClaude displays the context length warning, restart your Ollama server using `ollama stop` and `ollama start`, then verify the context has reset to 32768 by running `ollama ps` again. If the value remains low, check your Ollama configuration files or environment variables for context window settings.