context-recovery

Context Recovery Protocol

When to Use

• Start of every new session
• After context compression (auto-compact)
• When resuming interrupted work

Step-by-Step

1. Read State File

Read docs/_STATE.md

Extract: current phase, checkpoint status, modified files, next steps.

2. Check Git History

git log --oneline -10
git diff --stat
git status

Understand what changed recently and what's uncommitted.

3. Read Active Plan

Check docs/plans/ for the most recent plan file. Understand current objectives.

4. Check Handoff

If docs/_HANDOFF.md exists, read it for cross-conductor context. Rename to _HANDOFF_DONE.md after reading.

5. Announce Recovery

Report to user:

Resuming session. Context recovered:
- Phase: [current phase]
- Last completed: [step]
- Next: [next step]
- Uncommitted changes: [list]

Priority Order for Context Preservation

1. Architecture decisions and hypothesis expected signs (NEVER summarize away)
2. Current phase and MANDATORY STOP status
3. Modified files list with key changes
4. Verification status — which scripts/tests passed or failed
5. Open TODOs, rollback notes, delegation outcomes