Here's a thread continuity solution for Claude Code CREATED BY Claude Code from the following prompt:
"Can you create a solution so that when we hit the claude max length, we can start a new thread and have it pick up seemlessly where we left off?"
---
# Thread Continuity Solution Plan
## Overview
Create a systematic approach for maintaining context and progress across Claude thread boundaries when hitting max length limits.
## Proposed Solution: Thread State Management System
### 1. Create Thread State Files
**Location:**
`[project_root]/.claude-thread/`
**Files to create:**
* `CURRENT_THREAD_STATE.md` - Active thread's current state
* `THREAD_HISTORY.md` - Log of all thread transitions
* `TASK_PROGRESS.json` - Structured task tracking
* `COMMAND_HISTORY.txt` - Recent commands executed
### 2. Update CLAUDE.md with Thread Continuity Section
Add a new section that includes:
* Thread handoff protocol
* State file locations
* Recovery instructions
* Current mission critical tasks
### 3. Create Thread Handoff Script
**File:** `claude-handoff.sh`
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Captures current state for next thread
# - Git status and recent commits
# - Docker state (containers, images, volumes)
# - Current working directory
# - Recent command history
# - Open tasks and progress
```
### 4. Implement State Capture Protocol
When approaching thread limit:
1. Run state capture script
2. Update `CURRENT_THREAD_STATE.md` with:
* Current objective
* Last completed action
* Next planned action
* Any warnings or blockers
3. Commit state files to git
### 5. New Thread Startup Protocol
First actions in new thread:
1. Read `CURRENT_THREAD_STATE.md`
2. Read relevant sections of `CLAUDE.md`
3. Check `TASK_PROGRESS.json`
4. Review `COMMAND_HISTORY.txt`
5. Continue from documented next action
## Implementation Steps
### Step 1: Create Thread State Directory Structure
```
.claude-thread/
├── CURRENT_THREAD_STATE.md
├── THREAD_HISTORY.md
├── TASK_PROGRESS.json
├── COMMAND_HISTORY.txt
└── snapshots/
└── [timestamp]-snapshot.md
```
### Step 2: Create State Capture Template
**Template for `CURRENT_THREAD_STATE.md`:**
```markdown
# Current Thread State
Generated: [timestamp]
Thread ID: [thread_identifier]
## Mission Critical
[Current primary objective - e.g., Docker service recovery]
## Current Status
- Working on: [specific task]
- Last action: [what was just completed]
- Next action: [what to do next]
## Context
[Key information needed to continue]
## Warnings/Blockers
[Any issues the next thread must know]
## Recent Commands
[Last 5-10 significant commands]
```
### Step 3: Enhance CLAUDE.md
Add section:
## Thread Continuity Protocol
### When Starting a New Thread
1. ALWAYS read `.claude-thread/CURRENT_THREAD_STATE.md` first
2. Review any relevant incident or context documents tied to the current objective (e.g., `DEBUG_LOG.md`, `INCIDENT_REPORT.md`)
3. Review recent commands in `.claude-thread/COMMAND_HISTORY.txt`
4. Check `.claude-thread/TASK_PROGRESS.json` for task tracking
### Before Thread Ends
1. Update thread state files (`CURRENT_THREAD_STATE.md`, `TASK_PROGRESS.json`, etc.)
2. Commit changes with message: "Thread state: [brief status]"
3. Document any incomplete work or known issues in appropriate files
### Optional: Project-Specific Guidance
- Add instructions here for common workflows, e.g.:
- "Check `DATABASE_MIGRATION_PLAN.md` before modifying schema"
- "Update `DEPLOYMENT_NOTES.md` if pushing to staging"
- "Run `generate-report.sh` if analytics work is involved"
### Step 4: Create Automatic State Capture
Add to critical operations:
* After major Docker operations
* Before/after service restorations
* At regular intervals during long tasks
## Benefits
1. Zero Context Loss: New threads start with full awareness
2. Progress Tracking: No repeated work or missed steps
3. Debugging Aid: History of what was attempted
4. Team Collaboration: Others can pick up work
This system ensures that when we hit the thread limit, the next Claude instance can immediately continue the Docker service restoration without losing any progress or context.