Objective
Your mission
Work on a project for 15-20 messages, write a handoff prompt, start a new chat, and evaluate continuity. Output: handoff_evaluation.md.
You need: Any AI coding tool with a project you can build.
Time: 30 minutes.
Step 1: learn when to start a new chat (3 min)
New chat is GOOD when:
- Chat is overloaded (60+ messages, AI forgetting things)
- Starting a new, unrelated feature
- Stuck in a correction loop (fresh context technique)
- Chat has too many failed attempts
New chat is BAD when:
- In the middle of a complex multi-step task
- AI is actively making good progress
- Haven't captured current state yet
The handoff prompt gives the new chat everything it needs:
"I'm continuing work on a project. Here's the current state: Project: [name + tech stack] What's done: [completed features] What I'm working on: [current task] Current issue: [specific problem + error] Conventions: [patterns to follow] Next step: [what to do now]"
The 30-message checkpoint
When your chat hits ~30 messages, pause and update your context file's "Current State" section. This is your checkpoint. If the chat continues smoothly, great. If the AI starts forgetting or you need to start fresh, your context file is ready. This habit takes 2 minutes and saves 20 minutes of re-explaining.
Step 2: start building (10 min)
Start a build with AI — any project, any tool. Work for 15-20 messages. Get to a point where you have something working but incomplete.
Step 3: write the handoff prompt (5 min)
Before starting a new chat, capture the current state.
Write in your file:
## Handoff Prompt
"I'm continuing work on a [project type] built with [tech stack].
**What's done:** [list completed features]
**What I'm working on:** [current task]
**Current issue:** [specific problem, if any — include error messages]
**Conventions:** [patterns the AI should follow]
**Next step:** [what you want the AI to do first]
Here's the relevant code: [paste or reference files]"
Step 4: start a new chat (5 min)
Open a new chat. Paste your handoff prompt. Ask the AI to continue where you left off.
Step 5: evaluate continuity (5 min)
Write in your file:
## Evaluation
Did the new chat pick up smoothly? [yes/no]
Did it have enough context? [yes/no — what was missing?]
Did it need to re-explain anything? [list]
Did it make any wrong assumptions? [list]
What would I add to the handoff prompt next time? [specific improvements]
Step 6: update context file (2 min)
If you have a context file from Lesson 02, update the "Current State" section based on where you are now.
Write in your file:
## Context File Update
Updated Current State to: [new state]
Added any new Do NOT entries: [if applicable]
Your chat is at 70 messages and the AI keeps forgetting your conventions. What should you do?
An overloaded chat is a good moment for a new one, carrying the project, what's done, the current task, conventions and next step in a handoff prompt.