Restart Prompt Skill

You have the prompt-for-restart plugin which helps preserve context when sessions need to end.

When to Use

Use /prompt-for-restart when:

• Context is running low (you notice responses getting shorter or less detailed)
• User mentions they need to take a break
• A complex task won't finish in the current session
• You want to checkpoint progress on a long task
• Before switching to a very different task

Proactive Usage

Be proactive! If you sense context pressure:

• Offer to create a restart prompt
• Don't wait for the user to ask
• Say: "I notice we're deep into this task. Should I create a restart prompt to preserve our progress?"

What Gets Captured

The restart prompt captures:

1. Task: What we're working on (precise definition)
2. Done criteria: How to know when it's complete
3. Progress: What's been accomplished
4. Next steps: What remains, in order
5. Insights: Important discoveries that shouldn't be lost
6. Files: Which files are relevant (@-references)
7. Docs: External documentation consulted
8. TODOs: Pending items
9. Testing: How to verify the work

Output

Creates restart-prompt.md in the project root with:

• All context needed for continuation
• A ready-to-paste prompt for the new session
• Checklist format for tracking

Best Practices

When creating a restart prompt:

• Be specific: "Implement the save button" not "finish the feature"
• Include paths: @src/components/Button.tsx not "the button component"
• Explain why: Decisions made and their rationale
• Prioritize: Most important next step first
• Test hints: How to verify work is correct

Example Usage

User: "I need to stop for today"

Claude: "Let me create a restart prompt to preserve our progress."
/prompt-for-restart

[Creates detailed restart-prompt.md]

"I've saved all context to restart-prompt.md. When you start a new session,
paste this:

'I'm continuing work on the MCP server integration. Read @restart-prompt.md
for full context. Start with reviewing the restart prompt, then proceed
with implementing the credential form.'

Don't forget to commit the restart prompt if you want to preserve it!"

Context Warning Signs

Watch for these signs that context is getting low:

• Your responses are getting shorter
• You're losing track of earlier decisions
• File contents you read earlier feel fuzzy
• The todo list is getting hard to track
• User has asked many complex questions

When you notice these, proactively suggest /prompt-for-restart.