| name | session-handoff |
| description | Generate a complete handoff prompt for seamless continuation in a new session. Use when context is filling up or before ending a productive session. |
Session Handoff
Generate a complete handoff package for seamless session continuation.
When to Use
- Context window approaching limit
- Before ending a productive session
- User requests handoff explicitly
- Complex task spans multiple sessions
Handoff Process
Step 0: Check Token Budget
Read .claude/memory/.memory-config.md for token budget (if exists):
economy: Session summary ~200-400 tokens (brief, 2-3 sentences)light: Session summary ~400-700 tokens (concise, 3-5 sentences)standard: Session summary ~600-1000 tokens (default, 5-8 sentences)detailed: Session summary ~900-1500 tokens (comprehensive, 8-12 sentences)
If no config exists, use standard budget.
Step 1: Sync Memory First
Before generating handoff:
- Update active-context.md with current state
- Add any new decisions to decisions/
- Update progress.md
- Create session summary in sessions/
Session file format: sessions/YYYY-MM-DD-topic.md
Note: Include timestamp (HHMM) to avoid overwriting previous same-day sessions. Use topic suffix when a clear topic exists.
# Session: [date]
## Summary
Brief summary of what was accomplished.
- economy: 2-3 sentences
- light: 3-5 sentences
- standard: 5-8 sentences (default)
- detailed: 8-12 sentences with comprehensive context
## Work Completed
- [Item 1]
- [Item 2]
## Decisions Made
- ADR-NNN: [title] (if applicable)
## Context for Next Session
- [Key context point]
## Open Questions
- [Question if any]
---
*Session duration: ~[time]*
Step 2: Gather Handoff Context
Collect:
- Original goal: What the user asked for
- Current task: What we're actively working on
- Progress: What's been completed
- Remaining work: What still needs doing
- Key decisions: Decisions made (reference ADRs)
- Blockers/questions: Unresolved issues
- Critical files: Files being modified
- Recent errors: Any errors being debugged
Step 3: Generate Handoff Prompt
Output a copyable prompt:
## Handoff Prompt (copy everything below)
```
I'm continuing work on [project-name] from a previous session.
## Original Goal
[What the user originally asked for]
## Session Summary
[2-3 sentence summary]
## Current State
- **Active task:** [Current work]
- **Files in progress:** [List files]
- **Last action:** [Recent action]
## Completed This Session
- [Item 1]
- [Item 2]
## Remaining Work
- [ ] [Task 1 - next priority]
- [ ] [Task 2]
## Key Decisions Made
- [Decision 1] (see ADR-NNN)
## Open Questions/Blockers
- [Question or blocker]
## Context to Load
Project memory is at: .claude/memory/
Key files to review: [list files]
Please load the project memory and continue with [next task].
```
Step 4: Confirm
Session handoff complete. Memory synced.
Copy the prompt above into a new session to continue.
