Checkpoint
Run tests, commit passing changes, and update memory. Does not commit if tests fail. Run after /implement or any significant work…
---
description: Run tests, commit passing changes, and update memory. Does not commit if tests fail. Run after /implement or any significant work session.
allowed-tools: Bash, Read, Write, Edit
model: claude-sonnet-4-6
argument-hint: "[optional commit message]"
---
## /checkpoint $ARGUMENTS
You are running the **Checkpoint** phase of the context engineering pipeline.
### Step 1: Run tests
Find the test command from CLAUDE.md or `package.json` scripts. Run it:
```bash
[test command]
If tests fail, stop immediately:
## Checkpoint Failed — Tests Not Passing
[paste test output]
Fix the failing tests before checkpointing. Do not commit broken code.
Do not continue until tests pass.
Step 2: Review what changed
git status
git diff --stat HEAD
Print a brief summary of what changed. If anything looks unexpected (files outside the intended scope), flag it and ask the user to confirm before continuing.
Step 3: Commit
Stage the changed files and commit:
git add [changed files]
git commit -m "[message]"
Commit message rules:
- If
$ARGUMENTScontains a message, use it exactly - Otherwise, generate a message from the changes:
- Start with a verb: Add, Fix, Update, Remove, Refactor
- Describe what changed, not why
- Keep under 72 characters
- If multiple logical changes, use a multi-line format with a summary line and bullet points
Step 4: Update memory
Read memory/core.md. Update it only if:
- A new architectural decision was made during this work
- A known issue was resolved
- A new project-wide convention was established
- The build, test, or deploy commands changed
Skip this step if nothing important changed. Do not update memory for implementation details.
Step 5: Report
## Checkpoint Complete
**Committed**: [short hash] — [message]
**Files**: [N files changed]
**Memory**: [updated: [what changed] / no changes]
Assess context weight:
- If the conversation has been long or many files were loaded, say:
Context is getting heavy. Run
/save-sessionbefore starting the next task. - Otherwise:
Ready for the next task. Run
/research [topic]or/draft-plan [task]to continue.
Rules
- Never commit failing tests — tests must pass before any commit
- Never force-push — if a push is needed, ask the user explicitly
- Commit message discipline — no "WIP", "misc", or "fix" without specifics
- Memory is optional — only update it for genuinely durable, project-wide information
Maintain Checkpoint?
Let people know it's listed here — add the badge (live metrics, light/dark aware) or a plain link to your README or docs.
[Checkpoint on getagentictools](https://getagentictools.com/loops/mercurium-group-checkpoint?ref=badge)