Session Handoff
Write a HANDOFF.md in the project root so the next session can continue
without losing context. This file is overwritten each time — history is
preserved by git.
When to Write
- Before ending a session with significant progress
- When context is large and a fresh session would be more effective
- When the user says "handoff", "wrap up", "save progress", or similar
Template
Write HANDOFF.md in the project root with this structure:
# Handoff
## Current State
What's done and what's not. Be specific — file names, function names, line numbers.
## What Worked
Approaches and decisions that succeeded. Include rationale.
## What Failed
Dead ends and why they failed. Save the next session from repeating mistakes.
## Open Issues
Bugs, edge cases, or concerns discovered but not yet addressed.
## Next Steps
Exactly what the next session should do first.
Ordered by priority. Be actionable, not vague.
Rules
- Be specific — "Modified
src/auth.tslines 45-80 to add JWT validation" not "Updated auth code" - Be honest about failures — the next session needs to know what NOT to try
- Keep it under 200 lines — this will be loaded into the next session's context
- Overwrite the existing HANDOFF.md — don't append
- After writing, tell the user: "HANDOFF.md written. Start next session with: read HANDOFF.md and continue"
Resuming from Handoff
When the user says "read HANDOFF.md" or "continue from handoff":
- Read
HANDOFF.mdfrom the project root - Summarize the current state to the user
- Confirm the next steps before proceeding