The Messages API can now compact a conversation on demand on the Claude API, in beta with the compact-2026-09-04 beta header.

The Messages API can now compact a conversation on demand on the Claude API, in beta with the compact-2026-09-04 beta header. Send the top-level compaction parameter, and the API returns a signed compaction block that summarizes the messages you sent. On later requests, send that block first, in place of those messages. You choose when to compact, the request can run in the background, and you can keep recent turns word for word after the summary. On models with preserved thinking, the thinking in those kept turns can stay valid.

The Messages API can now compact a conversation on demand on the Claude API, in beta with the compact-2026-09-04 beta header. Send the top-level compaction parameter, and the API returns a signed compaction block that summarizes the messages you sent. On later requests, send that block first, in place of those messages. You choose when to compact, the request can run in the background, and you can keep recent turns word for word after the summary. On models with preserved thinking, the thinking in those kept turns can stay valid.