# handoff

Creates or updates a HANDOFF.md file so an agent in a fresh session can pick up the task with full context.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · ★ 10273
- Author: ykdojo
- License: LicenseRef-Proprietary · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/ykdojo/claude-code-tips/tree/HEAD/skills/handoff/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-09-25
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/ykdojo-handoff

## What it does

The skill inspects the repository root for an existing `HANDOFF.md`. If present, the agent reads prior notes before rewriting them. It documents five core areas: project goals, current status, methods that worked, failed attempts, and concrete next actions.

Everything is saved directly to `HANDOFF.md` at the project root. The agent prints the file path, letting you launch a new session pointing straight to that file. Without logging failed attempts, fresh agents inevitably repeat dead-end experiments.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add ykdojo/claude-code-tips --skill handoff -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/handoff/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/handoff/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add ykdojo/claude-code-tips --skill handoff -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/handoff/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add ykdojo/claude-code-tips --skill handoff -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/handoff/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install ykdojo/claude-code-tips handoff
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/handoff/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add ykdojo/claude-code-tips --skill handoff -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/ykdojo/claude-code-tips --path skills/handoff
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/handoff/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add ykdojo/claude-code-tips --skill handoff -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/ykdojo/claude-code-tips/tree/HEAD/skills/handoff/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- preserve task progress before resetting context
- record failed approaches to prevent repeated mistakes
- outline next action items for an incoming agent
- hand over unfinished work to another session

## Example prompts
- Create a `HANDOFF.md` file summarizing our progress and next steps.
- Update `HANDOFF.md` with what worked and what failed so far.
- Run handoff so I can start a fresh agent session.

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## Other versions with the same name
- [handoff · mattpocock](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/handoff.md) — 1038491 installs
- [handoff · rohitg00](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/rohitg00-handoff.md) — 13400 installs
- [handoff · thedotmack](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/thedotmack-handoff.md) — 360 installs
- [handoff · alirezarezvani](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/alireza-rezvani-handoff.md) — 427 installs
- [handoff · prathamdby](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/prathamdby-handoff.md) — 607 installs

From the same set: [ykdojo/claude-code-tips](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/ykdojo/claude-code-tips.md) — 8 cards

---
NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md