Handoff Protocol

Handoff Protocol for Multi-Agent Orchestration

This skill guides the Framework Developer Orchestrator on how to properly hand off work between different LLM sessions, ensuring continuity, quality, and traceability across multi-agent workflows.

Why Handoffs Matter

When multiple agents work on a project:

• Context is lost between sessions
• Assumptions differ between LLMs
• Quality varies without standards
• Integration fails without clear contracts

The handoff protocol ensures each agent knows:

1. What was done before
2. What they need to do
3. What contracts to follow
4. How to signal completion

Handoff Document Format

Create handoff files in 05-execution/handoffs/:

# Handoff: [Source Agent] → [Target Agent]

## Handoff ID: HO-001
**Created:** [ISO timestamp]
**Status:** PENDING | IN_PROGRESS | COMPLETED | BLOCKED

---

## Context Summary

### What Was Done
- [Brief summary of completed work]
- [Key decisions made]
- [Files created/modified]

### Current State
- Build status: PASSING | FAILING
- Tests: X passing, Y failing
- Lint: CLEAN | X warnings

---

## Your Tasks

### Primary Objective
[One sentence describing what this agent needs to accomplish]

### Specific Tasks
1. [ ] Task 1 - [Description]
2. [ ] Task 2 - [Description]
3. [ ] Task 3 - [Description]

### Out of Scope
- [Things this agent should NOT do]
- [Changes reserved for other agents]

---

## Contracts to Follow

### API Contracts
Read: `.framework-blueprints/03-api-planning/api-contracts.md`

Relevant endpoints:
| Endpoint | Method | Your Responsibility |
|----------|--------|---------------------|
| /api/users | GET | Implement handler |
| /api/users | POST | Implement validation |

### Code Patterns
- Use [pattern] for [purpose]
- Follow [convention] established in [file]

---

## Critical Details (DON'T FORGET)

### Environment Variables
- `DATABASE_URL` - PostgreSQL connection
- `JWT_SECRET` - For token signing

### Non-Standard Paths
- Auth is at `src/core/auth/`, not `src/auth/`

### API Quirks
- POST returns 201, not 200
- All dates are UTC ISO 8601

---

## Quality Checklist

Before marking handoff complete:
- [ ] All tasks completed
- [ ] No lint errors
- [ ] No type errors
- [ ] Tests pass
- [ ] Matches API contracts
- [ ] Documentation updated

---

## Handoff Notes

### Gotchas I Encountered
- [Issue and how you solved it]

### Recommendations for Next Agent
- [Suggestions based on what you learned]

### Open Questions
- [Questions that need user clarification]

---

## Completion

When done, update this file:
- Change status to COMPLETED
- Fill in completion timestamp
- Summarize what was accomplished
- List any deviations from plan

**Completed At:** [timestamp]
**Completed By:** [Agent/LLM name]

Handoff States

Creating a Handoff

Step 1: Prepare Context

Before creating a handoff:

1. Read 00-project-state.json for current status
2. Read api-contracts.md for relevant endpoints
3. Identify exactly what the next agent needs to know

Step 2: Write the Handoff Document

Use the template above with:

• Unique ID (HO-001, HO-002, etc.)
• Specific tasks (not vague)
• Clear contracts to follow
• All critical details that could be forgotten

Step 3: Update State

Update the project state file (see project-state-management skill for state file details):

{
  "handoffs": [
    {
      "id": "HO-001",
      "from": "Backend Agent",
      "to": "Frontend Agent",
      "status": "pending",
      "artifact": "05-execution/handoffs/HO-001-backend-to-frontend.md",
      "initiatedAt": "2025-01-03T10:00:00Z"
    }
  ]
}

Step 4: Create Git Checkpoint

git add .
git commit -m "Handoff HO-001: Backend → Frontend"
git tag handoff-HO-001

Receiving a Handoff

When picking up a handoff:

Step 1: Read Everything

1. Read the handoff document completely
2. Read referenced API contracts
3. Read any referenced code files

Step 2: Verify Understanding

Before starting work:

I'm picking up handoff HO-001.

My understanding:
- I need to: [summary]
- I must follow: [contracts]
- Critical details: [list]

Is this correct? [Confirm with orchestrator]

Step 3: Update Status

Change handoff status to IN_PROGRESS.

Step 4: Complete the Checklist

Work through tasks, checking off as you go.

Step 5: Complete Handoff

1. Update handoff document with completion info
2. Run quality checklist
3. Update state file
4. Create git checkpoint

Quality Gates

Before Sending Handoff

• Build passes
• Lint clean
• Tests pass
• API contracts verified
• Critical details documented

Before Accepting Handoff

• Context fully understood
• Contracts read
• Questions asked
• Dependencies available

Handoff Verification Protocol

The orchestrator verifies each handoff:

## Handoff Verification: HO-001

### Deliverables Check
- [ ] All files listed exist
- [ ] Tests pass
- [ ] Build succeeds

### Contract Compliance
- [ ] Endpoints match api-contracts.md
- [ ] Schemas match specifications
- [ ] No unauthorized changes

### Documentation
- [ ] Handoff notes helpful
- [ ] Critical details accurate
- [ ] Next steps clear

### Verdict: APPROVED | NEEDS_REVISION

Common Handoff Failures

Handoff Anti-Patterns

Don't Do This

• Vague task descriptions ("fix the auth")
• Missing contracts ("use REST best practices")
• Assumed knowledge ("you know the schema")
• No quality gate ("just push when done")

Do This Instead

• Specific tasks ("implement POST /users with validation")
• Explicit contracts ("follow api-contracts.md section 3")
• Full context ("schema is defined in types/user.ts")
• Clear gates ("run npm test before marking complete")

Integration with Phase 5

During Phase 5 (Execution):

1. Start of agent session: Read assigned handoff
2. During work: Update progress in handoff doc
3. Blockers: Update status to BLOCKED with reason
4. Completion: Fill completion section, run checklist
5. Next handoff: Create handoff for dependent agents

Rollback Protocol

If a handoff must be reverted:

# Find the handoff checkpoint
git log --oneline | grep "handoff-HO-001"

# Revert to before the handoff
git revert <commit-hash>

# Update state
# Set handoff status back to PENDING

Document why the rollback was needed in the handoff file.

Quick Reference

Creating Handoff

1. Prepare context (read state, contracts)
2. Write handoff document
3. Update state file
4. Git checkpoint

Receiving Handoff

1. Read handoff completely
2. Confirm understanding
3. Update status to IN_PROGRESS
4. Complete tasks
5. Run quality checklist
6. Complete handoff

Verifying Handoff

1. Check all deliverables exist
2. Verify contract compliance
3. Run tests
4. Approve or request revision