pi-handoff

pi install @ssweens/pi-handoff

Context handoff extension for pi. Transfer context to a new session with a structured summary — three entry points, one UX.

Features

• /handoff <goal> — User-initiated context transfer to a focused new session
• Agent-callable tool — The model can initiate handoffs when explicitly asked
• Auto-handoff on compaction — Offered as an alternative when context gets full
• Parent session query — session_query tool for looking up details from prior sessions
• Programmatic file tracking — Read/modified files extracted from tool calls (same as pi's compaction)
• Structured format — Aligned with pi's compaction format (Goal, Constraints, Progress, Key Decisions, Next Steps, Critical Context)
• System prompt hints — The model knows about handoffs and suggests them proactively

Installation

pi install @ssweens/pi-handoff

Usage

/handoff <goal>

/handoff now implement this for teams as well
/handoff execute phase one of the plan
/handoff check other places that need this fix

What happens:

1. LLM generates a structured handoff prompt from your conversation
2. New session opens
3. Prompt appears in the editor for review
4. Press Enter to send — agent starts working

Agent-Initiated Handoff

Ask the model directly:

"Please hand this off to a new session"

The agent calls the handoff tool. Session switch is deferred until the current turn completes, then the same flow: new session → prompt in editor → press Enter.

Auto-Handoff on Compaction

When context gets full and auto-compaction triggers, you're offered a choice:

Context is 92% full. What would you like to do?
> Handoff to new session
  Compact context
  Continue without either

Select "Handoff" → same flow: LLM generates prompt → new session → prompt in editor → press Enter. If you cancel or it fails, compaction proceeds as normal.

Querying Parent Sessions

Handoff prompts include a parent session reference:

/skill:pi-session-query

**Parent session:** `/path/to/old-session.jsonl`

## Goal
...

The session_query tool lets the model look up details from the parent session without loading the full conversation:

session_query("/path/to/session.jsonl", "What files were modified?")
session_query("/path/to/session.jsonl", "What approach was chosen?")

Handoff Format

Aligned with pi's compaction format, with programmatic file tracking appended:

## Goal
What the user wants to accomplish.

## Constraints & Preferences
- Requirements or preferences stated

## Progress
### Done
- [x] Completed work

### In Progress
- [ ] Current work

### Blocked
- Open issues

## Key Decisions
- **Decision**: Rationale (path/to/file.ts:42)

## Next Steps
1. What should happen next

## Critical Context
- Data or references needed to continue

<read-files>
src/config.ts
</read-files>

<modified-files>
src/handler.ts
src/auth.ts
</modified-files>

Components

| Component | Type | Description | |-----------|------|-------------| | handoff.ts | Extension | /handoff command, handoff tool, compact hook, system prompt hints | | session-query.ts | Extension | session_query tool for querying parent sessions | | pi-session-query/ | Skill | Instructions for using session_query |

Architecture

Three entry points, one outcome:

| Entry Point | Context Type | Session Creation | |-------------|-------------|-----------------| | /handoff command | ExtensionCommandContext | ctx.newSession() (full reset) | | handoff tool | ExtensionContext | Deferred to agent_end via raw sessionManager.newSession() | | Compact hook | ExtensionContext | Raw sessionManager.newSession() (no agent loop running) |

All three end the same way: prompt in editor of new session → user presses Enter → agent starts.

License

MIT