# Context reset worksheet

A task-specific handoff, not proof that any check passed.
Do not include credentials, customer records or private conversation transcripts.
A fresh chat does not undo files, processes, commits or external actions.

## Why reset?

- Observable problem: [repeated assumption / irrelevant edits / noisy context / changed task]
- First concrete example: [action and evidence, not just an apologetic phrase]
- Approximate context usage and model configuration, if known: [record or unknown]
- What the next session must do differently: [specific next observation]

## Preserve the real state

- Repository and base revision: [reference]
- Current branch and revision: [reference]
- Uncommitted work: [files and durable diff reference]
- Other people's work that must not be overwritten: [scope]
- Running processes or temporary environment: [state]
- External effects: [existing PR, submitted job or other write; reference and status]
- Writes with an uncertain outcome: [reconcile before retrying]

Do not discard changes or repeat external writes merely to start clean.

## Carry forward

- Current goal and approved behaviour: [source]
- Constraints and permissions: [source; no secrets]
- Verified observations: [fact, inspected scope, revision and evidence]
- Approved decisions: [decision, reason, owner and version]
- Actual progress: [implemented / in progress / not started]
- Latest failure: [exact check, expected result, actual result, full-log reference]
- Check status: [PASS / FAIL / BLOCKED / NOT RUN]
- Open questions: [what remains unknown and who or what can resolve it]

## Do not inherit as facts

- Rejected explanation: [claim and evidence against it]
- Unproven assumption: [claim and the missing check]
- Superseded decision: [old choice and the current approved replacement]
- Routine logs or discarded drafts: [reference, not full contents]

Retain useful negative findings so the next session does not repeat them.
Shortening a false claim does not make it safe to reuse.

## First step in the new session

1. Check that the revision, workspace and external state still match this record.
2. Revalidate decisive observations that could have changed.
3. Perform [one bounded investigation or edit].
4. Run [the relevant check] and record its actual result.
5. Stop for [missing evidence / missing decision / scope violation / budget limit].

The first goal is a correct next action, not a confident summary.