---
name: gsd:pause-work
description: Create context handoff when pausing work mid-phase
allowed-tools:
- Read
- Write
- Bash
---
Create `.continue-here.md` handoff file to preserve complete work state across sessions.
Enables seamless resumption in fresh session with full context restoration.
@.planning/STATE.md
Find current phase directory from most recently modified files.
**Collect complete state for handoff:**
1. **Current position**: Which phase, which plan, which task
2. **Work completed**: What got done this session
3. **Work remaining**: What's left in current plan/phase
4. **Decisions made**: Key decisions and rationale
5. **Blockers/issues**: Anything stuck
6. **Mental context**: The approach, next steps, "vibe"
7. **Files modified**: What's changed but not committed
Ask user for clarifications if needed.
**Write handoff to `.planning/phases/XX-name/.continue-here.md`:**
```markdown
---
phase: XX-name
task: 3
total_tasks: 7
status: in_progress
last_updated: [timestamp]
---
[Where exactly are we? Immediate context]
- Task 1: [name] - Done
- Task 2: [name] - Done
- Task 3: [name] - In progress, [what's done]
- Task 3: [what's left]
- Task 4: Not started
- Task 5: Not started
- Decided to use [X] because [reason]
- Chose [approach] over [alternative] because [reason]
- [Blocker 1]: [status/workaround]
[Mental state, what were you thinking, the plan]
Start with: [specific first action when resuming]
```
Be specific enough for a fresh Claude to understand immediately.
```bash
git add .planning/phases/*/.continue-here.md
git commit -m "wip: [phase-name] paused at task [X]/[Y]"
```
```
✓ Handoff created: .planning/phases/[XX-name]/.continue-here.md
Current state:
- Phase: [XX-name]
- Task: [X] of [Y]
- Status: [in_progress/blocked]
- Committed as WIP
To resume: /gsd:resume-work
```
- [ ] .continue-here.md created in correct phase directory
- [ ] All sections filled with specific content
- [ ] Committed as WIP
- [ ] User knows location and how to resume
```