# Handoff

Capture session context for a fresh agent.

- Repository: https://github.com/davidondrej/skills (4238 stars)
- Category: AI and agents
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add davidondrej/skills --skill handoff -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add davidondrej/skills --skill handoff -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add davidondrej/skills --skill handoff -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add davidondrej/skills --skill handoff -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Capture session context for a fresh agent. Use for handoffs, context limits, switching focus, ending sessions, or splitting work across sessions.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Handoff

Capture the context a fresh agent needs to continue without re-asking, re-discovering, or repeating mistakes.

## Core Principles

1. **Describe state.** Write "Auth is implemented; logout is not started," not "Implement logout next." The next agent chooses actions from the context.
2. **Link existing artifacts.** Reference PRDs, plans, ADRs, issues, commits, diffs, and design docs by path or URL instead of copying their content.
3. **Preserve why.** Capture decisions, rejected approaches, and failures that code alone cannot explain.
4. **Require verification.** Present claims as context to check against the actual code, not facts to trust blindly.
5. **Redact secrets and PII.** Never include keys, tokens, passwords, or personal data. Name credential locations (e.g. ".env.local, not committed"), never values.
6. **Keep only useful context.** Omit obvious, redundant, or explanatory material recoverable from code or project configuration.

## Procedure

1. Read existing project instructions (AGENTS.md or equivalent). Keep the handoff session-specific; do not repeat those instructions.
2. Read and update any prior handoff instead of starting from scratch.
3. Treat user-supplied arguments as the next session's focus.
4. Fill every template section; mark empty sections `None`.
5. Output the handoff in one fenced code block and save the same content as described under **File Output**.

## Output Format

Use this template inside a single fenced code block:

```
# HANDOFF: <short title of the work>
Generated: <timestamp> · Session focus: <one line>

## 1. Goal
<The overall objective in 1, 3 sentences.>

## 2. Why This Matters / Background
<Motivation, intended users, timing, constraints, and hard requirements not already in project configuration.>

The rest: https://github.com/davidondrej/skills/blob/HEAD/skills/agent-orchestration/handoff/SKILL.md