> ## 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.

# resume-work

> Resume work from previous session with full context restoration

## 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.

## Syntax

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

## 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

## What Gets Restored

### Project State

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

### 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

### 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

## Usage Examples

### Resume after closing your editor

```bash theme={null}
/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
```

### Resume project with incomplete work

```bash theme={null}
/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
```

### Resume after long break

```bash theme={null}
/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
```

## 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

## 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

## When to Use

<Card title="Always use when" icon="circle-check">
  * Starting a new editor session
  * Resuming after a break
  * Switching between projects
  * Beginning your work day
  * After git pull / branch switch
</Card>

<Card title="Especially helpful after" icon="lightbulb">
  * Long breaks (days/weeks)
  * Context was lost (crash, reboot)
  * Mid-phase pause (`.continue-here.md` exists)
  * Forgot where you left off
</Card>

## Integration with Other Commands

### After pause-work

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

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

### With progress

```bash theme={null}
/gsd:resume-work  # High-level restoration
/gsd:progress     # Detailed status and routing
```

## 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

## Related Commands

* [`pause-work`](/commands/pause-work) - Create checkpoint before pausing
* [`progress`](/commands/progress) - Detailed progress and routing
* [`health`](/commands/health) - Validate project state integrity