diff --git a/guides/handoff.md b/guides/handoff.md
index daa7cb8..a03d24b 100644
--- a/guides/handoff.md
+++ b/guides/handoff.md
@@ -46,5 +46,12 @@ and why. The user may provide optional focus notes; weave them in where relevant
 
 Reply with a short summary: what got committed or pushed, what went into durable knowledge
 versus Current state, and anything still unresolved. If everything is clean, say it's safe
-to exit. Then, in case the user decides to keep the session alive instead, give them a
-one-line `/compact Focus on ...` command tailored to what matters most from this session.
+to exit. Then give the user two ways to carry the thread forward, labelled:
+
+- **Keep this session:** a one-line `/compact Focus on ...` command tailored to what matters
+  most from this session.
+- **Start fresh:** a paste-able opener for the next session's first message — a *pointer, not
+  a payload*. Name the one thing to pick up and where it stands (e.g. "Resume the Case B
+  design backfill, pick up at Phase D reconcile"), and trust AGENTS.md Current state — which a
+  fresh session already loads — for the rest. It must be safe to lose: never carry state in the
+  opener that isn't already on disk.