send - Send context to child or parent session

Create a context handoff file for transitioning between parent and child sessions.

Usage

/context:send child [subject] [path]
/context:send parent [subject] [path]

Both subject and path are optional:

• subject: Claude will infer from current conversation context if not provided
• path: Defaults to /tmp/claude-ctx/ if not provided

What it does

1. Checks if /tmp/claude-ctx/ directory exists using test command
2. Creates directory only if it doesn't exist
3. If creating directory, generates minimal README.md:

   # Claude Context Handoff Directory
   
   This is an **ephemeral directory** for Claude Code session context handoff. Created by claude slash commands. '/context:send' and '/context:receive'.
   

4. Determines direction: parent-to-child or child-to-parent
5. If subject provided, creates {path}/ctx-{direction}-{subject}.md
6. If no subject, infers from current conversation context and creates file with inferred name
7. Path defaults to /tmp/claude-ctx/ but can be customized
8. Uses cat > filename.md << 'EOF' to clear file and write context
9. Includes:
   • Current situation and context
   • Decisions made and work completed
   • Blockers and next actions
   • Files modified
10. Shows clear "next steps" for user

File naming pattern:

• /context:send child → /tmp/claude-ctx/ctx-parent-to-child-{inferred-subject}.md
• /context:send parent → /tmp/claude-ctx/ctx-child-to-parent-{inferred-subject}.md

Example: Sending to Child with Subject

/context:send child database-migration

✓ Context prepared for child session
  File: /tmp/claude-ctx/ctx-parent-to-child-database-migration.md

Next steps:
1. Start child session for focused work
2. In new session, run: /context:receive parent

Example: Sending to Parent (Subject Inferred)

/context:send parent

✓ Context prepared for parent session
  File: /tmp/claude-ctx/ctx-child-to-parent-api-implementation.md

Next steps:
1. Exit this session
2. Resume parent session
3. In parent session, run: /context:receive child

Example: Custom Path

/context:send child feature-work ~/Documents/context/

✓ Context prepared for child session
  File: ~/Documents/context/ctx-parent-to-child-feature-work.md

Next steps:
1. Start child session
2. In new session, run: /context:receive parent feature-work ~/Documents/context/

Context File Contents

The context file should include:

Current Situation

• What work is being done
• Why the handoff is happening
• What the next session needs to focus on

Decisions Made

• Key technical choices
• Trade-offs considered
• Rationale for decisions

Work Completed

• What has been implemented
• Files created/modified
• Tests written
• Commits made

Blockers & Issues

• Problems encountered
• Questions that arose
• Things to investigate

Next Actions

• What should happen next
• Specific tasks for the receiving session
• Dependencies or prerequisites

Implementation Pattern

Create directory if needed:

# Check if directory exists, create only if needed
[[ -d /tmp/claude-ctx ]] || {
    mkdir -p /tmp/claude-ctx
    cat > /tmp/claude-ctx/README.md << 'EOF'
# Claude Context Handoff Directory

This is an **ephemeral directory** for Claude Code session context handoff. Created by claude slash commands. '/context:send' and '/context:receive'.
EOF
}

Write context file:

Use heredoc to write context file:

cat > /tmp/claude-ctx/ctx-parent-to-child-{subject}.md << 'EOF'
# Context: Parent → Child

[Context content here]
EOF

This pattern clears the file first, preventing accumulation of old context.

When to use

• Before starting a child session from parent
• Before returning to parent after completing child work
• When switching between hierarchy levels
• When context needs to be passed between sessions

Related commands

• /context:receive - Receive context from parent/child session