Conversation Capture Protocol

Execute this protocol to save context mid-conversation for continuity and handoff.

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When to Capture

Automatic Triggers

• Significant decision made - Architecture choice, approach selected, scope change
• Large work completed - Document created, major code changes, phase finished
• Topic shift detected - Before switching to a new topic
• Natural breakpoint - Before user goes to meeting, logical pause

On Request

• User asks "save where we are"
• User needs to leave but wants to continue later
• Handoff to another person/session
• Before risky operations (in case rollback needed)

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Step 1: Summarize Progress

Document the current state:

**Current Status**: [In Progress / Paused / Blocked]

**What has been accomplished**:
- [Completed item 1]
- [Completed item 2]

**What is currently in progress**:
- [Active work]

**What remains to be done**:
- [ ] [Remaining task 1]
- [ ] [Remaining task 2]

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Step 2: Capture Decision Context

Document decisions and their rationale:

**Decisions Made**:

| Decision | Rationale | Alternatives Considered |
|----------|-----------|------------------------|
| [Choice] | [Why we chose this] | [Other options we rejected] |

Also note:

• Any blockers or open questions
• Assumptions being made
• Dependencies identified

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Step 3: Document Handoff State

Create clear resume instructions:

**Files Changed**:
- **Created**: [list with paths]
- **Modified**: [list with paths]

**To Resume This Work**:
1. [First thing to do]
2. [Second thing to do]
3. [Next logical step]

**Context Needed**:
- [Any background knowledge required]
- [Related issues or specs]

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Step 4: Output Capture

Choose the appropriate format based on need:

Option A: Inline Capture (Quick)

Output directly in conversation:

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**Checkpoint**: [Brief description]

**Status**: [Current state]
**Just completed**: [What was done]
**Next**: [What's queued]
**To continue**: [Resume instructions]
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Option B: Context File (Detailed)

Create a file for complex state. Ask user:

Should I save this capture to a file for future reference?

If yes, create convo-captures/YYYY-MM-DD-HHMM-topic.md:

# Context Capture: [Topic]

**Date**: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM
**Status**: In Progress / Paused / Blocked
**Repo**: [which repo]

## Current State
[Where we are in the work]

## Decisions Made
| Decision | Rationale | Alternatives Considered |
|----------|-----------|------------------------|
| [Choice] | [Why] | [Other options] |

## Files Changed
**Created**:
- [list]

**Modified**:
- [list]

## Open Questions
- [Question 1]
- [Question 2]

## Next Steps
1. [ ] [Immediate next step]
2. [ ] [Following step]

## To Resume
[Clear instructions for picking this back up]

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Use Cases

Scenario	Recommended Format
Quick break, same session	Inline capture
End of day, continuing tomorrow	Context file
Handing off to colleague	Context file (detailed)
Before risky operation	Either (depends on complexity)
Context window getting full	Context file

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Success Criteria

• Work can be resumed without context loss
• Another person could pick this up smoothly
• Past decisions are understandable with rationale
• Clear "what's next" instructions exist