Handoff
Extension
`/handoff <goal>` turns the useful parts of the current conversation into an editable prompt, then opens a fresh session and links it to the current session when persistence is enabled.
What it does
The handoff command turns useful conversation context into an editable prompt and opens a fresh session. When session persistence is enabled, the replacement links back to the current session.
Before generation, it asks Pi for the current model context and converts the selected entries through Pi's host context pipeline. It does not transfer live process state.
When to reach for it
Invocation: Type /handoff followed by the next session goal.
- A long session needs a clean continuation
- Draft a focused brief for a replacement session; persistence preserves the parent link.
- A new model or context window should continue the work
- Carry retained context and the next goal across the boundary.
What it adds
- An explicit, editable context-transfer step between Pi sessions.
- A replacement-session flow that preserves a parent link when session persistence is enabled.
How it fits
- Sharpen communication: The communication prompt can tighten a handoff goal before transfer.
- Pi Subagents: Subagents keep bounded work inside one run; handoff asks a model to select context for a fresh session.
Common questions
- What should I review before continuing?
- Review the model-generated draft before continuing: its output is intentionally selective. Handoff asks Pi for the current model context, converts the selected entries through Pi's host context pipeline, and sends the serialized result to the configured model. It does not transfer live process state.
It’s working if
- An editable draft appears before session replacement.
- The fresh session opens with enough context to act on the stated goal.
Source and setup
Provenance
- Project
- Handoff
- Origin
- Mario Zechner
- Current maintainer
- Vedang Manerikar
- Relationship
- adopted
- Installed source
pi-extensions/handoff.ts- Source path
- View source (
pi-extensions/handoff.ts) - Compatibility
- Interactive Pi session
- Selected model available through Pi's model runtime
- Session replacement UI
- License
- MIT
- License publication scope
- Independently written catalog summary plus source link and upstream attribution; retain MIT attribution.
- Reviewed revision
c62070608e339560fb676f939fe38b74a42bdc9f- Catalog revision
e0c035a297462c519315abfa1af31a1ed3bd9eef
Setup notes
- Adopted from the MIT-licensed Pi example originally implemented by Mario Zechner; maintained here by Vedang.
- The installed source is the local handoff extension in Dotagents.
- Parent linkage requires session persistence; ephemeral mode still opens a fresh session without a parent link.
- It requires an interactive Pi session, a selected model available through Pi's model runtime, and replacement-session UI support.
Commands
/handoff GOAL