Handoff Protocols

---
name: Handoff Protocols
description: Effectively transfer work context between team members or agents
version: 1.0.0
triggers:
  - handoff
  - pass to
  - transfer work
  - take over
  - continue from
  - pick up where
tags:
  - collaboration
  - handoff
  - communication
  - context
difficulty: beginner
estimatedTime: 10
relatedSkills:
  - collaboration/structured-review
  - collaboration/parallel-investigation
---

# Handoff Protocols

You are executing a work handoff between team members or agents. A good handoff ensures context is preserved and work continues smoothly without loss of information.

## Core Principle

**The recipient should be able to continue work immediately without asking "what were you doing?"**

A complete handoff transfers not just the work, but the context, decisions, and reasoning.

## Handoff Types

### Type 1: Planned Handoff

Scheduled transfer (end of shift, vacation, role change):

- Time to prepare comprehensive documentation
- Opportunity for sync meeting
- Can do gradual transition

### Type 2: Unplanned Handoff

Unexpected transfer (illness, emergency, priority change):

- Limited preparation time
- Rely on existing documentation
- May need to reconstruct context

### Type 3: Partial Handoff

Transfer specific piece while retaining some work:

- Clear boundary definition
- Shared ownership considerations
- Integration points defined

## Handoff Document

### Essential Sections

```markdown
# Handoff: [Task/Project Name]

## Quick Summary
[One paragraph: What is this and current state]

## Current Status
- [ ] Phase: [Design/Implementation/Testing/etc]
- [ ] Progress: [X% complete / Y of Z tasks done]
- [ ] Blockers: [Current blockers, if any]
- [ ] Next Action: [Very next thing to do]

## Context

### What We're Building
[Brief description of the goal/feature]

### Why
[Business/technical justification]

### Key Decisions Made
| Decision | Options Considered | Choice | Rationale |
|----------|-------------------|--------|-----------|
| [D1] | A, B, C | B | [Why B was chosen] |

### Open Questions
- [Question 1]
- [Question 2]

## Technical Details

### Architecture/Design
[Relevant diagrams or links]

### Key Files
- `path/to/file1.ts` - [Purpose]
- `path/to/file2.ts` - [Purpose]

### Dependencies
- [Dependency 1]: [How it's used]
- [Dependency 2]: [How it's used]

## Current State of Code

### What's Complete
- [x] [Completed item 1]
- [x] [Completed item 2]

### In Progress
- [ ] [In progress item] - [Current state]

### Not Started
- [ ] [Pending item 1]
- [ ] [Pending item 2]

## Known Issues

### Active Issues
- [Issue 1]: [Description and current understanding]

### Workarounds in Place
- [Workaround 1]: [Why it exists, how to remove it]

## How to Continue

### Immediate Next Steps
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
3. [Step 3]

### Things to Watch Out For
- [Gotcha 1]
- [Gotcha 2]

### Who to Contact
- [Name/Team] for [Topic]
- [Name/Team] for [Topic]

## Resources
- [Link to design doc]
- [Link to requirements]
- [Link to related PRs]
```

## Handoff Meeting Checklist

If doing a live handoff:

**Before Meeting:**
- [ ] Prepare handoff document
- [ ] Ensure code is in clean state
- [ ] List questions you anticipate

**During Meeting:**
1. Walk through handoff document
2. Show current state of code
3. Demo any working functionality
4. Explain key decisions and trade-offs
5. Highlight risks and unknowns
6. Answer questions
7. Verify recipient understands

**After Meeting:**
- [ ] Share access to all resources
- [ ] Offer availability for follow-up questions
- [ ] Confirm handoff complete

## Code State Preparation

Before handing off, ensure:

```bash
# Clean working directory
git status  # Should be clean

# Latest changes committed
git log -1  # Recent meaningful commit

# Branch is up to date
git pull origin main

# Tests pass
npm test    # All green

# Build works
npm run build  # No errors
```

Leave the code in a state where:
- It compiles/runs
- Tests pass
- No work-in-progress changes uncommitted
- Clear commit messages explain recent changes

## Communication Templates

### Async Handoff Message

```
Hi [Name],

I'm handing off [Task/Project] to you. Here's what you need to know:

**Status:** [Current state in one sentence]

**What I've Done:**
- [Accomplishment 1]
- [Accomplishment 2]

**Next Steps:**
1. [Immediate next action]
2. [Following action]

**Watch Out For:**
- [Important gotcha]

**Resources:**
- Handoff doc: [link]
- Code: [branch name]
- Related PR: [link]

Let me know if you have questions!
```

### Requesting Additional Context

```
Hi [Name],

I'm picking up [Task] from your handoff. A few clarifications:

1. [Specific question 1]
2. [Specific question 2]

Also, I noticed [observation]. Was that intentional?

Thanks!
```

## Handoff Anti-Patterns

### The Brain Dump
- **Problem:** Unstructured info dump
- **Fix:** Use structured handoff document

### The Ghost
- **Problem:** Disappear after handoff
- **Fix:** Remain available for questions

### The Incomplete
- **Problem:** Missing critical context
- **Fix:** Use checklist, get recipient confirmation

### The Mess
- **Problem:** Code in broken state
- **Fix:** Clean up before handoff

## Receiving a Handoff

When you receive work:

1. **Read documentation** before asking questions
2. **Acknowledge receipt** to confirm handoff
3. **Identify gaps** in your understanding
4. **Ask focused questions** about specific unclear points
5. **Verify you can build/run** the current state
6. **Document** any additional context you discover

## Handoff Quality Checklist

For the giver:
- [ ] Documentation is complete and current
- [ ] Code is in clean, working state
- [ ] All access/permissions transferred
- [ ] Key contacts introduced
- [ ] Questions answered or noted
- [ ] Availability for follow-up communicated

For the receiver:
- [ ] Documentation reviewed
- [ ] Can build and run the code
- [ ] Understand current state
- [ ] Know next steps
- [ ] Know who to contact
- [ ] No blocking questions

## Integration with Other Skills

- **structured-review**: Get review before handoff if work is complete
- **parallel-investigation**: Handoff individual threads
- **planning/task-decomposition**: Reference task breakdown in handoff