---

name: session-start description: Resumes work from a previous session using handoff notes, checkpoints, or compact state. Use at the beginning of a new session to restore context and continuity. allowed-tools: Read, Glob

Session Start

Restore context from previous session. Prevents "starting from scratch" problem.

When to Use

• Beginning new session after handoff
• Resuming after break
• Recovering from crash/timeout
• User says "continue where we left off"

Recovery Priority

1. Handoff → .context/handoff.md (complete session summary)
2. Checkpoint → .context/checkpoints/checkpoint-*.md (point-in-time)
3. Compact State → .context/compact-state.md (post-compaction)
4. Agent Registry → .context/agents/active.yaml (coordination)

Process

1. Locate Sources: Check .context/ for handoff, checkpoints, compact-state
2. Load Primary: Read handoff or specified checkpoint
3. Verify State: Confirm files match expected state
4. Load Docs: Based on task, run /doc-discovery or spawn @doc-agent
5. Refresh Instructions: Safety rules, orchestration mode, tools
6. Report Ready: Show context restored, ready to continue

Output

Copy## Session Started

### Recovered From
**Source**: [handoff/checkpoint/compact-state]

### Context Restored
- **Objective**: [goal]
- **Task**: [current]
- **Position**: [where in workflow]

### Verification
- [x] State matches expected
- [x] Environment ready
- [x] Instructions refreshed

### Next Action
[specific next step]

Quick Start (No Handoff)

Copy## Fresh Session

No previous state found.

### Available
- CLAUDE.md loaded
- Core instructions active
- Tools available

### To Begin
Describe what you'd like to work on.

Related

• Checkpoint recovery: See reference/checkpoint-recovery.md
• State mismatch handling: See reference/state-mismatch.md
• Consumes output from: /handoff, /checkpoint, /compact