Contextplain

Contextplain is a design principle and data representation that seeks to preserve and convey context using plain text. It emphasizes explicit contextual cues and minimal formatting to improve clarity for readers and for automated processing. The term has appeared in discussions of information design, documentation, and natural language processing as a way to reduce ambiguity when content is consumed across tools and interfaces.

Mechanism: Contextplain relies on lightweight contextual markers embedded within the text rather than heavy markup. Typical markers may initialize a section with a tag such as Context: Task, Context: Audience, or Context: Domain, after which the content is written in plain language. The approach supports progressive disclosure where each section carries its own frame of reference, allowing a reader or an AI agent to interpret statements without needing to infer prior context. It is designed to be horizontally compatible with standard plain language guidelines.

Applications: It is used in technical documentation, API references, knowledge bases, and conversational AI prompts. For AI systems, contextplain can help maintain a stable reference frame across turns, improving instruction adherence and reducing misinterpretation. In accessibility contexts, the plain-text nature avoids dependence on rich formatting while still communicating context clearly.

History and variants: The idea builds on plain language movements and structured writing practices. There is no single universal standard, and implementations vary by organization. Related concepts include plain language, contextualization, and minimalism in information design.