Free AI Session Handoff Template

This template has been used in 1,000+ AI coding sessions across multiple projects. It's the exact system that built HandoffKit itself. Copy it, customize it, make it yours.

Why Use a Handoff Template?

When your AI session approaches the context limit, you have two choices: lose everything, or create a structured summary that lets the next session pick up instantly. A template ensures you capture the right information every time.

Without a template, handoffs are inconsistent — sometimes you forget to mention the file you modified, sometimes you skip the "what's broken" section. A template makes continuity automatic.

The Handoff Template

Copy this template and save it in your project:

# Session Handoff: [Brief Title]

**Created**: [Date/Time]
**From Session**: [Session ID or number]
**To**: Next Session
**Context Window**: [Percentage]% - [Status]

## Critical Context

[1-2 sentences: the single most important thing the next session needs to know]

## What Was Accomplished

### 1. [Major Achievement]
- [Specific detail]
- [Result/Impact]

### 2. [Major Achievement]
- [Specific detail]
- [Result/Impact]

## Current Working State

### Working:
- [Feature/Component] - [Brief status]

### In Progress:
- [Feature/Component] - [What works, what doesn't]

### Not Working:
- [Feature/Component] - [Why, what's blocking]

## Next Immediate Steps

1. **[First Priority]**
   - [Specific action needed]

2. **[Second Priority]**
   - [Specific action needed]

## Files Created/Modified

**Created:**
- `path/to/file` - [What it does]

**Modified:**
- `path/to/file` - [What changed]

## Key Insights

[Any discoveries, patterns, or lessons learned that future sessions should know]

The Handoff Command

Use this prompt to trigger a handoff. In Claude Code, save it as a custom slash command. In other tools, paste it when you're approaching the context limit.

Great work so far in this session! We are almost at our session context limit.

We will need to continue our work in the next session exactly where we left off.

## Your Tasks:

1. **Review the handoff template** and write the handoff file. The handoff is for your eyes only — be concise and objective.

2. **After the handoff is written**, create a message in the chat that I can copy for the next session with the necessary context to pick up our work.

3. **Include a recommended reading list** in logical order for the next session.

## Remember:
- Be concise and objective
- No decorative language needed
- Focus on technical accuracy
- The handoff is for AI-to-AI communication
- The chat message should be human-readable for copy/paste

How to Use This

For Claude Code Users

1. Save the template as project/templates/HANDOFF_TEMPLATE.md
2. Save the command as .claude/commands/handoff.md
3. When context hits ~70%, type /handoff
4. Claude writes the handoff, you save it
5. Next session: paste the handoff as context

For Cursor / Windsurf / Other Tools

1. Save the template in your project
2. When context is getting full, paste the command prompt
3. Save the AI's output as a handoff file
4. Next session: include the handoff in your initial prompt

For Any AI Tool

The template works with any AI that accepts text. The key is the structure — Critical Context, Current State, Next Steps. As long as you capture these three things, the next session starts productive instead of confused.

Tips From 1,000+ Sessions

• Trigger at 70%, not 95% — give the AI enough context to write a good handoff. At 95% it's rushing.
• Keep handoffs objective — no emoji, no filler, no "great work today!" The next session doesn't care about sentiment.
• Include file paths — the #1 thing people forget. "Modified the auth logic" is useless without knowing which file.
• Note what doesn't work — the "Not Working" section prevents the next session from re-trying failed approaches.
• Stack handoffs, don't replace — keep old handoffs around. Sometimes you need context from session 5 while working on session 20.

Automate with the HandoffKit Plugin

Tired of copy-pasting handoffs into HandoffKit manually? The HandoffKit plugin pushes your session chat message directly to HandoffKit when you run /handoff. The full handoff file stays local — only the concise session message is synced.

Set up the plugin in 2 minutes