Context Preserver

Never lose your place. Resume in 5 minutes. Eliminate "Where was I?" moments.

Core Principle

ADHD brains have high context-switching costs and limited working memory. Every interruption means 15-30 minutes of "getting back into it." The solution: Automatically capture and restore mental state so you can resume work in under 5 minutes.

Key Insight: The act of saving context is therapeutic - it signals "I can stop safely."

---

The Context Problem

Problem 1: High Context-Switching Cost

Issue: After breaks, spend 15-30 min remembering what you were doing Result: Lost productivity, frustration, avoidance of breaks

###Problem 2: Working Memory Limits Issue: Can't hold complex state in mind Result: Constant re-reading code, forgetting next steps

Problem 3: Interruption Anxiety

Issue: Fear of losing place prevents taking needed breaks Result: Burnout, health issues, reduced quality

Problem 4: "Where Was I?" Syndrome

Issue: Return to work with no idea what you were doing Result: Thrashing, starting over, wasted time

---

Phase 1: Automatic Context Capture

What Gets Saved (Auto-Every 15 Minutes)

File Context:

• Current file path
• Line number and function
• Related files (imports, dependencies)
• Git branch

Mental State:

• What you were thinking
• What you just finished
• What you're about to do
• Blockers or questions

Environment:

• Dev server status
• Open terminals
• Database state
• API keys loaded

Time Context:

• When you started
• How long you've been working
• When you plan to stop

Automated Saves

Trigger 1: Every 15 Minutes (Background)

[15:30] Auto-save triggered

Context saved:
- File: src/components/login.tsx:42
- Function: handleSubmit()
- Status: Adding API call
- Next: Error handling for 401
- Time working: 45 min

✅ Saved to .adhd/context.json
✅ Micro-commit created (WIP)

Trigger 2: Before Breaks (Manual Command)

# You run: ./save-context.sh --break lunch

Context saved for lunch break:
- Current task: Implementing password reset
- Progress: 70% complete
- File: src/auth/reset.ts:67
- Next step: Test email delivery
- Resume command ready: ./resume.sh

✅ Safe to take break!

Trigger 3: On Claude Session End (Auto)

[Session ending]

Preserving your context:
- Saved current task
- Created WIP commit
- Noted next 3 steps
- Logged session progress

Resume anytime: Just start new Claude session
Context will load automatically

Trigger 4: On Interruption (Auto-Detect)

[No activity detected for 10 min]

Looks like you got interrupted!
Auto-saved context:
- Last active: 10 min ago
- Working on: Dashboard layout
- File: src/pages/dashboard.tsx:125
- Next: Add user stats widget

When you return: Context ready to resume

---

Phase 2: Context Structure

The .adhd/context.json File

{
  "timestamp": "2025-10-22T15:30:00Z",
  "session": {
    "started": "2025-10-22T14:00:00Z",
    "duration_minutes": 90,
    "breaks_taken": 1,
    "focus_sessions": 3
  },
  "files": {
    "current": {
      "path": "src/components/login.tsx",
      "line": 42,
      "column": 12,
      "function": "handleSubmit",
      "content_preview": "async function handleSubmit(e: FormEvent) {"
    },
    "related": [
      "src/api/auth.ts",
      "src/types/user.ts"
    ]
  },
  "mental_state": {
    "doing": "Adding API call to /auth/login endpoint",
    "just_finished": "Added email validation",
    "next_steps": [
      "Add fetch call to /auth/login",
      "Handle 401/500 errors",
      "Add loading state to button"
    ],
    "blockers": [
      "Need to check API error format"
    ],
    "notes": "Using fetch (not axios) per team standard"
  },
  "environment": {
    "branch": "feature/auth-flow",
    "uncommitted_changes": true,
    "dev_server_running": true,
    "last_command": "npm run dev"
  },
  "progress": {
    "current_task": "Build authentication flow",
    "phase": "Phase 2: API Integration",
    "percent_complete": 60,
    "estimated_remaining": "45 minutes"
  }
}

---

Phase 3: Automatic Context Restoration

Quick Resume (< 5 Minutes)

One-Command Resume

# You run: ./resume.sh

╔══════════════════════════════════════╗
║  Resuming Work Session              ║
║  Last saved: 12:15 PM (1 hour ago) ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════╝

📂 Restoring context...

✅ Opened: src/components/login.tsx
✅ Cursor positioned: Line 42
✅ Dev server started
✅ Git branch: feature/auth-flow

💭 You were:
  - Adding API call to /auth/login
  - Just finished: Email validation
  - Next: Handle 401/500 errors

📊 Progress: 60% complete
⏱️ Estimated remaining: 45 minutes

🎯 Next micro-task: Add fetch call (15 min)

[Opens file at exact line in VS Code]
[Starts dev server]
[Shows mental state notes]

✅ Ready to code! Resume time: 4 minutes

Claude Automatic Resume

When you start new Claude session:

You: [start new session]

Claude: Welcome back! I see you were working on authentication flow.

Let me catch you up:

📍 Last Location:
  File: src/components/login.tsx:42
  Function: handleSubmit()

💭 Mental State (from 1 hour ago):
  - You were adding API call to /auth/login
  - Email validation is done ✅
  - Next: Handle 401/500 errors

📊 Progress: 60% complete (Phase 2/3)

🎯 Quick options:
  A) Resume where you left off (add fetch call)
  B) See full context (detailed notes)
  C) Start something new

What would you like to do?

---

Phase 4: Mental State Capture Techniques

Capturing "What Were You Thinking?"

The 3-Question Method (Auto-Prompted)

Every 30 minutes, Claude asks:

[Quick context check - 1 minute]

To help you resume later:

1. What are you working on right now?
   > Adding password reset functionality

2. What's the next small step?
   > Test email delivery locally

3. Any blockers or questions?
   > Need to configure SendGrid API key

✅ Saved! This will help Future You.

Stream-of-Consciousness Notes

## Mental State Notes (Auto-saved)

15:00 - Started password reset feature
15:15 - Generated reset token, stored in DB
15:30 - Building email template now
15:35 - Wondering if I should use SendGrid or Postmark
15:40 - Going with SendGrid (already have account)
15:45 - Configured API key, testing send...
[Break]

Resume thoughts:
- Was about to test email delivery
- SendGrid configured, key in .env
- Next: Trigger reset email from form

Breadcrumb Trail

## Breadcrumb Trail (Auto-generated)

14:00 ✅ Created reset-password.tsx
14:15 ✅ Added form with email input
14:30 ✅ Connected to /api/reset-password
14:45 ✅ Generated reset token
15:00 ✅ Stored token in database
15:15 🔄 Building email template ← YOU ARE HERE
15:30 ⬜ Test email delivery
15:45 ⬜ Add reset confirmation page

You're making great progress! 🎉

---

Phase 5: Context-Aware Workflows

Before-Break Checklist (Auto-Triggered)

[You haven't saved context in 45 min]

⏸️ Taking a break soon?

Quick save checklist:
- [ ] Commit current work (WIP okay!)
- [ ] Write next step (one sentence)
- [ ] Note any blockers
- [ ] Close unneeded tabs (reduce clutter)

Takes 2 minutes, saves 20 minutes later!

[Save Context Now] [Remind Me in 15m] [I'm not taking a break]

End-of-Day Ritual (Auto-Prompted at 5pm)

[17:00] End of day approaching!

🌙 Let's wrap up for easy tomorrow start:

1. Current Progress:
   Built authentication flow
   Progress: 75% complete
   Status: Working well, needs testing

2. Tomorrow's First Task:
   → Test password reset flow (30 min)
   → File: src/auth/reset.ts
   → Should be quick!

3. Blockers for Tomorrow:
   None! Ready to go.

4. Wins Today:
   ✅ Completed login form
   ✅ Added validation
   ✅ Connected to API
   ✅ Fixed bug #234

5. Mental Dump:
   [Anything else to remember?]
   > Remember to check email error handling

✅ Context saved! Tomorrow You will thank you. 🙏

[Finish Day] [Keep Working]

---

Phase 6: Git Integration

Automated Micro-Commits

Every context save creates a WIP commit:

# Auto-runs every 15 min
git add .
git commit -m "WIP: $(cat .adhd/context.json | jq -r '.mental_state.doing') [15:30]"

# Example commits:
git commit -m "WIP: Adding API call to login endpoint [15:30]"
git commit -m "WIP: Testing password reset flow [15:45]"
git commit -m "PAUSE: About to add error handling [16:00]"

Resume from Git History

# See what you were doing
git log -1 --pretty=%B

# Output:
WIP: Testing password reset flow [15:45]

# Context notes:
- File: src/auth/reset.ts:67
- Next: Add error toast for failed reset
- Blocker: None

---

Phase 7: Interruption Handling

Types of Interruptions

Type 1: Meetings (Scheduled)

[14:45] Meeting in 15 minutes

Auto-save triggering:
- Current work committed
- Context snapshot created
- Resume script generated

After meeting: Run ./resume.sh
Estimated resume time: 5 minutes

Type 2: Urgent Bug (Unplanned)

You: "Urgent bug in production, need to switch"

Claude: No problem! Let me save your context first.

✅ Saved: Authentication flow work
✅ Stashed: Uncommitted changes
✅ Switched: To main branch

Work on the bug, I'll help you resume after.

Resume command: ./resume-auth-work.sh

Type 3: Loss of Focus (ADHD Wander)

[You've been browsing docs for 20 min]

💭 Gentle reminder:

You were working on: Password reset form
Current file: src/auth/reset.tsx:45
Next step: Add email input field (5 min)

Research is good, but maybe time to apply?

[Resume Coding] [Continue Research] [Take Break]

---

Phase 8: Advanced Context Features

Context Sharing

# Share context with teammate
./export-context.sh

Generated: context-snapshot.md

Send this to teammate for pairing:
- What you're working on
- Current progress
- What you need help with
- Exact file locations

Context History

# View past contexts
./context-history.sh

Recent Work Sessions:
1. 2025-10-22 14:00 - Auth flow (90 min) ✅ Completed
2. 2025-10-22 10:30 - Dashboard UI (2 hours) 🔄 In progress
3. 2025-10-21 15:00 - Bug fix #234 (45 min) ✅ Completed

[Load Context] [Delete] [Archive]

Smart Context Suggestions

[Starting new session]

Claude: I notice you often work on:
- Authentication (70% of time)
- Dashboard UI (20%)
- Bug fixes (10%)

Would you like to:
A) Resume auth flow (where you left off)
B) Continue dashboard work (60% complete)
C) Check open bugs
D) Start something new

Based on your patterns, auth flow is most likely.

---

Phase 9: Context Patterns

Pattern 1: Deep Work Session

[Session Start]
Auto-save every: 15 minutes
Break reminders: Every 60 minutes
Context snapshots: On demand

[Session End]
Final save includes:
- Total focus time
- Tasks completed
- Progress made
- Tomorrow's start point

Pattern 2: Context-Switching Project

Project A → Project B

Auto-stash Project A:
- Commit WIP
- Save context
- Close related tabs

Load Project B:
- Restore last context
- Open relevant files
- Show next task

Switch time: < 5 minutes

Pattern 3: Pair Programming

Before pairing:
- Export current context
- Share with partner
- They see exactly what you're doing

After pairing:
- Update context with decisions made
- Log next steps
- Easy solo resume

---

Automation Scripts

Setup (One-Time)

cd your-project
mkdir .adhd
cp ~/ai-dev-standards/TEMPLATES/adhd/scripts/* ./
chmod +x .adhd/*.sh

# Scripts installed:
# - save-context.sh (manual save)
# - resume.sh (quick resume)
# - context-history.sh (view history)
# - export-context.sh (share with team)

Daily Usage (All Automatic)

# Morning: One command start
./resume.sh

# During work: Auto-saves every 15 min
# (runs in background)

# Before break: Quick save
./save-context.sh --break lunch

# After break: One command resume
./resume.sh

# End of day: Auto-prompted at 5pm
# (saves automatically)

---

Anti-Patterns

❌ Manual Context Notes

Bad: Expecting yourself to manually write notes Why: ADHD brain won't do it consistently Good: Automated saves every 15 min

❌ Perfect Documentation

Bad: Writing detailed status reports Why: Wastes time, won't be maintained Good: Stream-of-consciousness quick notes

❌ Single Context File

Bad: Overwriting same context file Why: Loses history, can't go back Good: Timestamped history, can browse past contexts

---

Success Metrics

You're using this skill well when:

• ✅ Resume time < 5 minutes (from 30 minutes before)
• ✅ Never ask "where was I?"
• ✅ Take breaks without anxiety
• ✅ Context auto-saves (you don't think about it)
• ✅ Easy to switch between projects

---

Related Skills

• task-breakdown-specialist - Breaks down next steps
• focus-session-manager - Manages work sessions
• adhd-workflow-architect - Designs automated workflows

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Save your place. Eliminate anxiety. Resume in 5 minutes. 💾