Coding agent handoffs that keep context
Last reviewed: September 2026
BAND for desktop makes the handoff between coding agents explicit in shared rooms, across vendors, with a human able to step in. A good handoff tells the next agent what was done, what is expected, where the code is, and what not to touch; parallel runners have no handoff step at all, so the human writes it.
What goes wrong without a handoff?
- The second agent re-reads the whole repo and guesses at intent.
- It changes an interface the first agent just defined.
- Two agents edit the same file and one overwrites the other.
- Work is marked done with half-connected code; some Claude Code agent team users report exactly this.
What does a good handoff contain?
A template:
handoff: from: codex to: claude-code task: write tests for api/cart.ts done: POST /cart and DELETE /cart/:id implemented, branch codex/cart-api contract: see types/cart.ts (CartItem, CartResponse) do_not_touch: api/cart.ts internals, db/migrations open_question: keep --legacy flag? -> ask human done_when: tests pass for both endpoints incl. 404 path
Which handoff patterns work?
- Sequential: A finishes, B starts (API then tests).
- Fan-out and fan-in: a lead splits work, others do parts, the lead assembles (Claude Code agent teams, Devin managed Devins).
- Review loop: A writes, B reviews, A fixes.
- Human gate: an agent stops and asks before a risky step (migrations, deletes, dependency upgrades).
How do the tools handle handoffs?
| Tool | Handoff mechanism |
|---|---|
| BAND for desktop | Agents hand off by @mention in shared rooms across vendors; humans respond in place (kanban marked Coming July 2026) |
| Claude Code agent teams | Direct messages and a shared task list with dependencies; Claude only |
| Devin Desktop | Coordinator Devin delegates to and messages child Devins; Spaces share context |
| Factory | Mission Control runs a plan across Droids |
| Conductor, Cursor, Codex, Nimbalyst, Sculptor | None documented; you write the handoff |
Run your agents as a team
BAND for desktop lets your coding agents hand work to each other in shared rooms while you stay in the loop. Claude Code joins via BAND's plugin; Codex, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode are listed as integrations. Sessions stay on your machine (macOS or Linux).
What guardrails does agent-to-agent work need?
- Loops: two agents can bounce a task forever. BAND's platform documents loop prevention through mandatory mentions and per-room limits.
- Ownership: one agent owns a card at a time.
- Silent blocks: agents waiting on permission prompts look busy. A shared board that shows "waiting on human" makes this visible.
What else do readers ask?
What is a coding agent handoff?
The step where one agent passes a task to another with enough context that the second agent does not have to rediscover it.
Which tools support handoffs between different vendors' agents?
Among the tools we reviewed, BAND for desktop. Claude Code agent teams support handoffs between Claude instances only.
How do I stop agents looping?
Limit who can address whom, cap turns per room, and give every task a single owner. BAND's platform documents mandatory mentions and per-room limits for this.