diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -69,6 +69,10 @@ Docs: [Migrate from Slack](https://docs.mattermost.com/administration-guide/onbo
 - Python 3.10+ (stdlib only for server)
 - Official Slack export folder or enriched copy with `channels.json`, `users.json`, channel dirs
 
+## Handoff
+
+Ongoing Levkin migration status, review order, and TODOs: **[docs/HANDOFF.md](docs/HANDOFF.md)**
+
 ## Remote
 
 ```text
diff --git a/docs/HANDOFF.md b/docs/HANDOFF.md
new file mode 100644
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+++ b/docs/HANDOFF.md
@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+# slack-sieve — handoff
+
+**Repo:** https://git.levkin.ca/ilia/slack-sieve (public)  
+**Clone:** `git clone git@git.levkin.ca:ilia/slack-sieve.git`  
+**Last updated:** 2026-05-29
+
+---
+
+## What this is
+
+Local triage UI for migrating **Levkin** Slack (`levkine.slack.com`) → homelab Mattermost (`https://slack.levkin.ca`, VM `10.0.10.237`).
+
+Pipeline:
+
+```text
+Official Slack export (JSON)
+    → make hydrate          # __uploads/ via xoxe URLs in export
+    → make preset-skips     # optional noise-channel skips
+    → make review           # manifest.json (gitignored)
+    → prepare-export        # TODO — filtered Slack-shaped folder/zip
+    → mmetl transform slack
+    → mmctl import
+```
+
+---
+
+## Data on disk (Mac)
+
+| Path | Role |
+|------|------|
+| `~/Downloads/Levkin Slack export Sep 29 2016 - May 27 2026` | Raw official export (~27MB JSON only) |
+| `~/Downloads/Levkin Slack export enriched` | **Use for review** — JSON + `__uploads/` (~1109 files) |
+| `~/Documents/code/slack-sieve/manifest.json` | Triage decisions (local only, not in git) |
+
+Hydrate copied **1109 / 1122** attachments; **13** old files returned HTTP 401 (expired export token).
+
+---
+
+## Commands
+
+```bash
+cd ~/Documents/code/slack-sieve
+
+export SLACK_EXPORT_PATH="$HOME/Downloads/Levkin Slack export enriched"
+make review              # http://127.0.0.1:8765
+
+make hydrate             # re-download attachments if needed
+make preset-skips        # apply presets/levkin-skips.json (safe to re-run; keeps your channel decisions)
+```
+
+---
+
+## Review progress (manifest snapshot)
+
+As of preset + partial manual review:
+
+| Status | Count | Channels |
+|--------|-------|----------|
+| **skip** (preset Tier A/B) | 22 | `#jewbottest`, `#meetings`, `#help`, `#baby`, `#garden`, `#recipes`, `#grants`, `#integromat`, `#clickup`, `#general`, `#after-school-activities`, `#cleaner`, `#medical`, `#purchase`, `#temp`, `#viewings`, `#moishe`, `#520steeles`, `#29wilson`, `#york`, `#jam`, Reading List |
+| **import** | 1 | `#153niagara` |
+| **partial** (cherry-pick) | 3 | `#122harmony`, `#6keefer`, `#zoey` |
+| **undecided** | 14 | See review order below |
+
+Refresh counts after more review:
+
+```bash
+python3 -c "
+import json
+from pathlib import Path
+m = json.loads(Path('manifest.json').read_text())
+from collections import Counter
+c = Counter(v.get('status','?') for v in m.get('channels',{}).values())
+print(dict(c))
+"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Suggested review order
+
+1. `#284richmond` → `#45ritson` → finish `#122harmony`, `#6keefer`, `#zoey` (partial)
+2. `#banking` → `#realestate` → `#airbnb`
+3. `#izik` → `#levkin`
+4. **Tier D (later):** `#random`, `#professional`, `#parenting`, `#adhd`, `#baking-biz`, `#standup`, `#zane`
+
+### Inside a channel
+
+- **Shift+S** — skip whole channel  
+- **Shift+I** — import whole channel  
+- **Cherry-pick mode** — only checked messages export (use **Import whole thread** on parent)  
+- **Skip:** join/leave noise, bot posts, bare “ok” / link-only  
+- **Keep:** attachments, leases, repairs, banking, decisions with dates/names  
+
+---
+
+## Presets
+
+`presets/levkin-skips.json` — Tier A/B channel names for `make preset-skips`.  
+Copy and edit for another workspace.
+
+---
+
+## UI / server notes
+
+- **Port:** 8765 (`SLACK_IMPORT_PORT`)
+- **Attachments:** served at `/uploads/…` and `/api/file-download?file_id=…`
+- **DOCX preview:** server-side + browser mammoth; spaces in filenames need URL decode (fixed in server)
+- Restart after code changes: `make review` (kill old process on 8765 if needed)
+
+---
+
+## What not to use
+
+| Tool | Why |
+|------|-----|
+| `slack-advanced-exporter` + rotating `xoxe.xoxp` token | Token format rejected; enrich zip stayed ~4MB |
+| `slackdump hydrate` | Rejects `?token=xoxe-…` URLs; use **this repo’s** `make hydrate` instead |
+| `slackdump` browser login | Failed in headless/automated runs; not required if official export exists |
+
+---
+
+## TODO (next implementer)
+
+1. **`scripts/prepare-export.py`** — read `manifest.json`, emit filtered Slack export dir/zip (`__uploads/` + selected JSON days, thread parents included).
+2. **Pilot import** — one small channel through `mmetl` → `mmctl` on Mattermost VM; verify threads, files, users.
+3. **User mapping** — optional `fetch-emails` or Slack ID → Mattermost username map for `mmetl`.
+4. **Makefile** `make prepare-export` + doc section in README.
+
+### Mattermost / homelab
+
+- SSO: Authentik — see ansible `docs/guides/mattermost-authentik-gitlab-oauth.md`
+- Import docs: https://docs.mattermost.com/administration-guide/onboard/migrate-from-slack.html
+
+---
+
+## Repo layout
+
+```text
+slack-sieve/
+  server.py           # HTTP API + static UI
+  slack_export.py     # Parse export, file index, search
+  static/             # Review UI
+  scripts/
+    hydrate-export.sh
+    preset-skips.py
+  presets/
+    levkin-skips.json
+  manifest.json       # gitignored — your work in progress
+  docs/
+    HANDOFF.md        # this file
+```
+
+---
+
+## Moved from ansible
+
+Slack import tooling was removed from `git@git.levkin.ca:ilia/ansible.git` (2026-05-29). Ansible guide pointer: `docs/guides/slack-mattermost-import.md`.
+
+---
+
+## Security
+
+- Do not commit `manifest.json` or Slack export folders.
+- Rotate any Slack tokens/cookies pasted in chat during setup.
+- `~/.config/hermes/gitea.env` used for Gitea API only — unrelated to Slack.