handoff

name	handoff
description	Persist session state and hand off in-progress work to a background agent or delegated execution. Use when work outgrows the current session, context is near limit, or a task needs to continue unattended.
when_to_use	Activate when the user says 'hand off', 'delegate this', 'continue in background', 'pass this off', or when context pressure is high and significant work remains. Also activate when ck_route recommends a different agent for the remaining work.
argument-hint	[optional: specific task or remaining work to hand off]
disable-model-invocation	true
license	Apache-2.0
compatibility	["codex","claude-standalone","claude-plugin","copilot-plugin","github-repo","open-standard","cline-native","cursor-native","windsurf-native","continue-native","letta-code-native","pi-native","roo-native","goose-native","opencode-native","gemini-cli-native","kiro-native","kilo-native","amp-native","augment-native","hermes-native","multica-native","openclaw-native","devin-terminal-native","warp-native","droid-bundle","forge-acp"]
metadata	{"author":"controlkeel","version":"1.0","category":"execution","ck_mcp_tools":["ck_context","ck_memory_record","ck_memory_search","ck_route","ck_delegate","ck_goal"]}

Handoff Skill

Transfer in-progress work to another agent or execution context with full state preservation, so work continues seamlessly after the current session ends or context runs out.

When to use this skill

• Context window is approaching its limit and substantial work remains
• The user wants work to continue unattended (background execution)
• ck_route recommends a different agent or runtime for the remaining task
• The user explicitly asks to delegate, hand off, or pass work to a background agent

Protocol

1. Call ck_context to load current session state, open findings, active goal, and proof summary.

2. Call ck_memory_search with the current task description to surface any prior decisions, constraints, or context that the receiving agent will need.

3. Build the handoff packet — record it with ck_memory_record (type: decision, scope: session) containing:

   • What was accomplished this session (bullet list of completed work with file paths)
   • What remains (ordered list of next steps, from most to least critical)
   • Open findings — any blocked or warning-level issues the receiving agent must address first
   • Constraints — must-not-change areas, budget limits, compliance requirements discovered this session
   • Assumptions — decisions made without explicit human confirmation that the receiving agent should be aware of
   • Resume hint — the single most important thing the next agent should do first

4. Call ck_goal (mode: read) to confirm the goal record is current. If it has drifted from what was actually worked on, update it with ck_goal (mode: record) before handing off.

5. Call ck_route to determine the best agent or execution mode for the remaining work. Provide the remaining task list and any constraints.

6. Call ck_delegate with the handoff packet as context and the routing recommendation from step 5. Use mode handoff for human-mediated transfer or mode runtime for automated background execution.

7. Confirm to the user:

   • What was preserved (memory record ID)
   • Where the work is going (agent / mode)
   • The single next action for the receiving agent
   • How to resume: what to tell the next agent to pick up seamlessly

Non-negotiable rules

• Never hand off with open blocked findings. Resolve or escalate them first — a blocked finding handed off unresolved will stall the receiving agent immediately.
• The handoff packet must be complete enough that the receiving agent can continue without reading this session's conversation history.
• If ck_route returns no suitable agent, tell the user explicitly rather than handing off to a mismatched executor.

What you produce

At the end of this skill:

• A ck_memory_record entry (type: decision) containing the full handoff packet
• A ck_delegate call that initiates the transfer
• A clear user-facing summary: what was saved, where work is going, and what the next agent will do first

Additional resources

• For proof preservation before handoff, run the proof-memory skill first
• For routing decisions, see ck_route tool documentation