# Recap Template

> From NerdSmith Founder Track -- Module 0, Lesson 5: Session Management
> Use this to structure your manual recaps or customize what /recap generates.

---

## When to Use This

- At the end of every Claude Code session
- When context hits 75% and you need to start fresh
- When switching from one task to another
- At the end of your workday to capture the full day

---

## Instructions

1. Copy the template below
2. Save as: `session-recaps/YYYY-MM-DD-topic.md`
3. Fill in each section (5 minutes max)
4. Next session: "Read session-recaps/[filename] and continue where we left off"

---

## --- TEMPLATE ---

```markdown
# Recap: [Date] — [Topic in 3-5 words]

**Date:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Time:** HH:MM — HH:MM
**Project:** [project name]
**Context used:** ~[X]%

---

## Done

What was accomplished this session. Be specific -- include file paths.

- [x] [What was done] → saved to `[filepath]`
- [x] [What was done] → saved to `[filepath]`
- [ ] [Started but not finished] → current state: [where it's at]

---

## Decisions

Key choices made during this session.

| # | Decision | Why |
|---|----------|-----|
| 1 | [What was decided] | [Rationale in 1 sentence] |
| 2 | [What was decided] | [Rationale in 1 sentence] |

---

## Outputs

Files created or modified.

| File | Action | Notes |
|------|--------|-------|
| `[path/filename]` | Created | [Brief description] |
| `[path/filename]` | Modified | [What changed] |

---

## Open Items

Things that came up but weren't resolved.

- [ ] [Question or issue to address next]
- [ ] [Thing to research or validate]

---

## Next Session

What to work on next, in priority order.

1. [Highest priority task]
2. [Second priority]
3. [Third priority]

---

## Handover Prompt

Copy-paste this into your next Claude Code session to resume:

> Read `session-recaps/[this-filename].md` and continue with [next priority task].
> Key context: [1-2 sentences summarizing where the project stands].
```

## --- END TEMPLATE ---

---

## Example: Filled-In Recap

```markdown
# Recap: 2026-02-08 — Product validation research

**Date:** 2026-02-08
**Time:** 9:00 — 10:30
**Project:** TeamFlow MVP
**Context used:** ~42%

---

## Done

- [x] Analyzed 10 customer interview transcripts → saved to `analysis/customer-insights-2026-02-08.md`
- [x] Generated 3 user personas → saved to `analysis/personas-v1.md`
- [ ] Started competitive matrix → paused at 3/6 competitors

---

## Decisions

| # | Decision | Why |
|---|----------|-----|
| 1 | Target segment: remote teams 10-50 people | 8/10 interviewees in this range |
| 2 | Lead pain point: context switching | Mentioned by 9/10 interviewees |
| 3 | Skip the enterprise segment for now | Different sales motion, not ready |

---

## Outputs

| File | Action | Notes |
|------|--------|-------|
| `analysis/customer-insights-2026-02-08.md` | Created | Top 5 pain points with quotes |
| `analysis/personas-v1.md` | Created | 3 personas: Team Lead Tina, Ops Manager Omar, Founder Fiona |

---

## Open Items

- [ ] Interview #7 mentioned a competitor "TaskBot" -- need to research
- [ ] Should we add a free tier? Need unit economics analysis
- [ ] 2 interviewees mentioned Notion -- is it a competitor or complement?

---

## Next Session

1. Complete competitive matrix (3 remaining: TaskBot, Notion, ClickUp)
2. RICE score the top 10 feature requests from interviews
3. Draft landing page hero copy using pain point #1

---

## Handover Prompt

> Read `session-recaps/2026-02-08-product-validation.md` and continue with the competitive matrix. We have 3/6 competitors done (Slack, Asana, Monday). Add TaskBot, Notion, and ClickUp.
```

---

## Tips for Effective Recaps

1. **File paths are essential.** Without them, Claude can't find what was created.
2. **Decisions matter more than actions.** Next-session Claude needs to know WHY you chose things, not just what you did.
3. **The handover prompt is the most important section.** It's what you'll actually paste into the next session.
4. **Keep it under 1 page.** A recap that's longer than the work it summarizes defeats the purpose.
5. **Be honest about incomplete work.** Mark it clearly so you don't lose track.

---

*NerdSmith Founder Track -- Module 0: Claude Code Bootcamp*
*Download: Recap Template*