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Handoff Document Writer

Summarises the current chat into a file a fresh AI agent can pick up and continue.

Source Download skill
Repository
mattpocock/skills
Stars
309,658
Licence
MIT
Files
2 files

What it does

When you want to continue work in a new AI chat session, this skill makes the agent write a handoff document summarising the current conversation, so a fresh agent can pick up where it left off. The document points to existing artifacts like specs, plans, issues and commits by path or URL instead of copying them, suggests which other skills the next agent should use, and removes sensitive details such as API keys or personal data. The file is saved to the system temporary directory rather than your project folder.

Great for

  • Developers who hit context limits mid-task and need to start a fresh session without losing progress
  • Anyone handing off a long-running piece of work to another agent or teammate

Skip it if

  • Permanent project documentation, since the file is saved to a temporary directory and may be deleted by the OS
  • Situations where the conversation contains secrets the redaction step might miss, because redaction depends on the agent recognising them

Try asking

  • “Write a handoff for the next session that will refactor the payment module”
  • “Compact this conversation so a new agent can continue the bug investigation tomorrow”
  • “Create a handoff document focused on finishing the API tests”
Step-by-step guide: how to use Handoff Document WriterInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 2 original files, the MIT licence and an attribution note.

    handoff.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip handoff.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip handoff.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Pass a short description of the next session as the argument so the document is tailored to it
  • Check the saved file for leftover sensitive details before sharing it
  • Keep specs, plans and issues in your repo or tracker so the handoff can reference them rather than duplicate them

What's inside

  • agents/openai.yaml
  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from mattpocock/skills under the MIT licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.