context-snapshot

Original：🇺🇸 English

Translated

Create a durable handoff file that captures important conversation state for agent continuity. Use when the context window is getting full, when switching agents/sessions, when handing off work, or when asked to summarize progress without losing decisions, constraints, risks, and pending tasks.

4installs

Sourcealtshiftstudio/skills

Added on2026-02-09

NPX Install

npx skill4agent add altshiftstudio/skills context-snapshot

SKILL.md Content

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Context Snapshot

Create one handoff file with the highest-signal context from the current conversation.

Workflow

1. Choose output path

If the user provides a path, use it.
Otherwise create
```
handoffs/context-<YYYY-MM-DD-HHMM>.md
```
.
Create the parent directory if it does not exist.

2. Map territory (MANDATORY)

Inventory key domains before writing:
- Goals and success criteria.
- Decisions and rationale.
- Constraints and non-goals.
- Files/artifacts and command outcomes.
- Risks, blockers, open questions.
Capture exact wording for non-negotiable decisions and constraints.

3. Score friction and choose depth mode (MANDATORY)

Select one mode:

Mode	Use when	Depth
`quick`	Estimated conversation size is small and task scope is single-track	Minimal bullets, highest-priority items only
`standard`	Typical multi-step task with moderate context	Full template, balanced detail
`forensic`	Large context, contradictions, or high-risk decisions	Full template plus contradiction/TODO tracking

4. Respond by mode

Extract only what a new agent needs to continue safely:

User goals and success criteria.
Decisions and rationale.
Constraints, assumptions, and non-goals.
Files touched or referenced.
Commands run and key outcomes.
Open questions, risks, and blockers.
Current status and next steps.

5. Write the handoff file

Copy context-template.md into the output path.
Fill every section.
If a section has no data, write
```
None
```
.
Add
```
source:
```
tags to major claims, decisions, blockers, and next steps.

Example:

- API key rotation blocked by IAM policy (source: command output, aws iam get-role)

6. Validate before finishing

Keep facts concrete and traceable to the conversation.
Keep paths, commands, and identifiers exact.
Remove low-signal narrative and duplicate points.
Ensure next steps are actionable and ordered.
Mark uncertainty with
```
TODO
```
instead of guessing.
Set confidence level:
```
high
```
,
```
medium
```
, or
```
low
```
.

Critical Rules (MANDATORY)

Prioritize fidelity over prose.
Preserve exact phrasing for decisions and hard constraints.
Separate facts from assumptions using explicit labels.
Include concrete dates when timing matters.
Do not omit failed attempts if they affect next steps.
Keep output concise but complete; use bullets.

Forbidden Behaviors

Do not invent decisions, rationale, owners, or outcomes.
Do not silently resolve conflicting statements.
Do not omit blockers just because they are unresolved.
Do not rewrite critical commitments into generic language.
Do not output only narrative text when structured fields are required.

Confidence Gate

```
high
```
: No material contradictions; next steps are executable.
```
medium
```
: Minor uncertainty;
```
TODO
```
items are explicit.
```
low
```
: Major gaps or contradictions; list blocking questions before handoff.

Compression Heuristics

Keep only information needed for safe continuation.
Remove conversational filler and repeated explanations.
Merge related updates into one state description.
Preserve irreversible decisions and unresolved risks.