Sign Off / End Session
Properly close out a Claude Code session by updating all memory files.
Instructions
Step 1: Gather Session Context
- •Read the current session file from
.claude/memory/sessions/session-history-{DATE}.md - •Read
.claude/PROJECT.mdto see current handoff state (or CLAUDE.md if no PROJECT.md exists) - •Read
.claude/memory/HISTORY.mdto see format and recent entries - •Review conversation to identify what was accomplished this session
Step 2: Update Session History File
Update today's session file (/app/.claude/memory/sessions/session-history-{DATE}.md) with:
- •Summary of work completed
- •Any issues encountered
- •Decisions made and rationale
- •Any incomplete work or next steps
Step 3: Update PROJECT.md Handoff
Update the "Current Session Handoff" section in .claude/PROJECT.md with:
- •Today's date
- •Brief status summary
- •What was done this session (bullet points)
- •Any running servers or temporary state to be aware of
- •Outstanding work / next steps
Step 4: Update HISTORY.md
One entry per day - HISTORY.md should have a single dated entry for each day, updated as sessions progress. Don't create separate entries per session.
Check if today's entry exists:
- •If yes: Update it with new accomplishments from this session
- •If no: Create a new dated entry
Include significant work:
- •Features completed or major progress
- •Bugs fixed
- •Architectural changes
- •New tools, skills, or documentation created
Skip only for truly minor sessions (typo fixes, failed exploration, no real progress).
Format: Summary sections with bullet points, status table if relevant, link to detailed session notes.
Step 5: Report to User
Provide a brief summary:
- •What was accomplished
- •What's documented where
- •Any next steps or outstanding items
- •Confirm they're ready to close the session
Step 6: Check and Commit Git Changes
Usually the project should have one root-level repository, but there may be multiple. For each repo with uncommitted changes:
- •Show the user what changed
- •Offer to commit with a brief message summarizing the session's work
- •Keep commit messages to one line when possible
Notes
- •Keep handoff notes concise but complete enough for a fresh Claude instance to pick up
- •Session history files can be more detailed - that's where the "how and why" lives
- •Always check both repos before signing off - uncommitted work can be lost between sessions
- •Follow git safety rules: no
--amend,--force, or history rewriting inside the sandbox