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Overview

The resume-work command restores complete project context when starting a new session. It intelligently detects where you left off and routes you to the right next action.

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Syntax

/gsd:resume-work

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How It Works

When you run resume-work, GSD:
  1. Loads STATE.md (or reconstructs it if missing)
  2. Detects checkpoints - Looks for .continue-here.md files from mid-phase pauses
  3. Finds incomplete work - Checks for phases with PLAN but no SUMMARY
  4. Presents status - Shows you where the project stands
  5. Routes intelligently - Suggests the right next command based on context

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What Gets Restored

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Project State

  • Current phase and milestone
  • Completed phases and work
  • Roadmap and remaining phases
  • Quick tasks completed
  • Project goals and constraints

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Work Context

  • .continue-here.md checkpoint files (mid-phase pauses)
  • Incomplete phases (planned but not executed)
  • Recent decisions from CONTEXT.md
  • Code changes since last session

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Intelligent Routing

GSD checks CONTEXT.md to offer the right next step:
  • Has context → Suggests /gsd:plan-phase (ready to plan)
  • No context → Suggests /gsd:discuss (explore first)
  • Has checkpoint → Offers to continue from pause
  • Has incomplete plan → Offers to execute existing plan

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Usage Examples

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Resume after closing your editor

/gsd:resume-work
Output: 
📊 Project: E-commerce Platform
✅ Completed: 3/12 phases
🎯 Current: Phase 4 - Product catalog

Checkpoint detected:
- .planning/phases/004-product-catalog/.continue-here.md
- Created: 2 hours ago
- Position: 60% complete - finishing search implementation

Options:
1. Continue from checkpoint
2. Check progress
3. Start new phase

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Resume project with incomplete work

/gsd:resume-work
Output: 
📊 Project: Task Management API
✅ Completed: 5/8 phases
⚠️  Incomplete work detected:

Phase 6 - Notification system
- PLAN created 3 days ago
- Not yet executed
- Next: /gsd:execute 6

Options:
1. Execute phase 6
2. Create new phase plan
3. Check todos

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Resume after long break

/gsd:resume-work
Output: 
📊 Project: Analytics Dashboard
✅ Completed: 8/15 phases
📅 Last session: 2 weeks ago

Recent work:
- Phase 8: Real-time updates (completed)
- 3 quick tasks completed
- No incomplete work

Context available:
- Architecture decisions in CONTEXT.md
- 5 pending todos

Suggested next steps:
1. /gsd:plan-phase - Plan phase 9
2. /gsd:check-todos - Review pending items
3. /gsd:progress - Detailed status

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State Reconstruction

If STATE.md is missing or corrupted, resume-work reconstructs it by:
  1. Reading ROADMAP.md for phase definitions
  2. Scanning .planning/phases/ for completed work
  3. Parsing phase SUMMARY files for completion data
  4. Checking .planning/quick/ for quick tasks
  5. Rebuilding the state file with current status

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Session Continuity

GSD maintains session continuity by:
  • Tracking the last active phase
  • Preserving in-progress work state
  • Linking decisions to their phases
  • Maintaining chronological work history

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When to Use

Always use when

  • Starting a new editor session
  • Resuming after a break
  • Switching between projects
  • Beginning your work day
  • After git pull / branch switch

Especially helpful after

  • Long breaks (days/weeks)
  • Context was lost (crash, reboot)
  • Mid-phase pause (.continue-here.md exists)
  • Forgot where you left off

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Integration with Other Commands

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After pause-work

# Previous session
/gsd:pause-work

# New session
/gsd:resume-work  # Detects checkpoint automatically

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With progress

/gsd:resume-work  # High-level restoration
/gsd:progress     # Detailed status and routing

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Files Read

  • .planning/STATE.md - Primary state file
  • .planning/ROADMAP.md - Phase definitions
  • .planning/CONTEXT.md - Decisions and constraints
  • .planning/phases/**/.continue-here.md - Checkpoint files
  • .planning/phases/**/SUMMARY.md - Completion records
  • .planning/quick/*.md - Quick task records
  • pause-work - Create checkpoint before pausing
  • progress - Detailed progress and routing
  • health - Validate project state integrity