> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/gsd-build/get-shit-done/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# pause-work

> Create context handoff when pausing work mid-phase

## Overview

The `pause-work` command creates a comprehensive handoff file when you need to pause work mid-phase. It captures your complete work state, making it easy to resume later without losing context.

## Syntax

```bash theme={null}
/gsd:pause-work
```

## How It Works

When you run `pause-work`, GSD:

1. **Detects your current phase** from recent files in `.planning/`
2. **Gathers complete state** including:
   * Current position in the phase
   * Work completed so far
   * Work remaining
   * Decisions made
   * Any blockers or open questions
3. **Creates `.continue-here.md`** with all context sections and timestamp
4. **Commits to git** as a WIP (work-in-progress) commit
5. **Provides resume instructions** for your next session

## What Gets Captured

The handoff file includes:

* **Phase identification** - Which phase you're working on
* **Completion status** - What percentage complete, what's done
* **Current position** - Exactly where you left off
* **Recent changes** - Files modified in this session
* **Decisions made** - Any architectural or implementation choices
* **Next steps** - Clear list of what to do next
* **Blockers** - Any issues preventing progress
* **Context notes** - Important details to remember

## Usage Examples

### Basic pause

```bash theme={null}
# Pause work on the current phase
/gsd:pause-work
```

GSD will gather state and create:

```
.planning/phases/001-user-auth/.continue-here.md
```

### Resume later

When you're ready to continue:

```bash theme={null}
/gsd:resume-work
```

GSD automatically detects the `.continue-here.md` file and restores full context.

## When to Use

<Card title="Perfect for" icon="circle-check">
  * Switching tasks mid-phase
  * End of day during active work
  * Before taking a break during complex changes
  * When you need to context-switch urgently
  * Handing off work to another team member
</Card>

<Card title="Not needed for" icon="circle-xmark">
  * After completing a phase (state is already saved)
  * At natural stopping points (after commits)
  * When no work is in progress
</Card>

## Integration with Resume

The `pause-work` and `resume-work` commands work together:

1. **Pause** → Creates `.continue-here.md` with full state
2. **Resume** → Detects checkpoint file and loads all context
3. **Seamless continuation** → Pick up exactly where you left off

## Files Created

```
.planning/phases/{phase-number}-{phase-name}/.continue-here.md
```

The handoff file uses markdown format with structured sections, making it both human-readable and machine-parseable.

## Related Commands

* [`resume-work`](/commands/resume-work) - Resume from a pause checkpoint
* [`progress`](/commands/progress) - Check project progress and next actions