# Session Tree

> Summarize the current chat as a searchable SESSION_TREE (decisions, parked items, state, files) so later agents can grep the transcript; optionally write a gitignored handoff file for a brand-new chat. Use when the user asks for a session tree or handoff, after close-ticket, or when the conversation is getting long — offer before writing in the long-chat case.

- Skill: `reebeecka/session-tree` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add reebeecka/session-tree`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/reebeecka/session-tree/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Research & Search
- Author: Reebeecka (https://skillmd.com/u/reebeecka)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/reebeecka/session-tree

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# session-tree

Capture the chat as a tree a **later agent** can scan. Primary output is **in this chat** under the exact marker `SESSION_TREE` so it is greppable in the transcript.

Never invent. Never include secrets. Prefer ~40 lines over 200. Absolute dates, never "today". `file:line` over prose. Leaves in the user's language; **English headers** as in the template (grep).

## When

| Trigger | Action |
|---|---|
| User asks for a session-tree / handoff / summary of this chat | Write immediately |
| `close-ticket` just finished | Write the tree in chat (do not wait) |
| Chat is getting heavy (long back-and-forth, large tool output, topic about to switch) | **Offer** and wait for yes |
| User says they will open a new agent / stop for the day | Write in chat **and** write the file (below) |

If run again in the same chat: **replace** — one tree, the latest, not three fragments.

## Chat template

```
SESSION_TREE

## Goal
- <what this chat was for>

## Decided
- <decision> — <one sentence why>

## Parked
- <rejected or postponed, concrete>

## State
- Ticket: <id or none>
- Branch: <name or none>
- Done: <completed work, file:line>
- Stopping point: <exact>
- Files: `path` — modified; tested / untested

## Open
- <unresolved questions>

## Do not relitigate
- <decisions a new agent must not reopen>
```

**State** may be "n/a" for a planning-only chat. Still fill Goal / Decided / Parked / Open / Do not relitigate.

Gather coding state from the session plus `git status -sb` when this is a repo with changes.

Two passes on the tree itself: (1) does this match the chat? (2) what would a new agent miss? Fix before sending.

## File (new agent / end of day / explicit handoff)

Chat always. File **in addition** when the user asked for a handoff, said they will start a new agent, or is stopping for the day.

Path: `$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)/handoffs/` — repo root, never cwd. Create the folder if needed.

If `handoffs/` is missing from `{git-root}/.gitignore`, add it. Handoffs are personal continuity; team truth lives in the ticket, the PR, or the repo.

Filename: `YYYY-MM-DD-handoff-N.md` — today's date, `N` from 1, increment if taken.

Write the **same** `SESSION_TREE` body (plus an ISO `date:` at the top). Reply with the saved path.

A brand-new agent: read the newest file in `handoffs/` if present; otherwise grep transcripts for `SESSION_TREE`.