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Tabish Bidiwale b33f435812 docs(template): sync readme-template to exactly match openspec/README.md 2025-09-09 22:15:39 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale b62b57caf3 fix(templates): escape backticks and move examples inside template literals 2025-09-09 22:02:34 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale 758d91613d docs(openspec): prefer CLI examples for listing/showing; keep rg for full-text search 2025-09-09 21:50:05 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale 47180e5120 docs(openspec): add TL;DR, search guidance, design skeleton, renamed example, approval gate, and examples 2025-09-09 21:36:17 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale 8dde1d55fc docs(openspec): align agent instructions and templates 2025-09-09 21:26:56 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale 2921676e93 docs(readme): make alignment the central value proposition 2025-09-07 05:16:40 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale 792129bfe3 docs(readme): highlight supported AI tools and emphasize universal interoperability 2025-09-07 05:10:46 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale 715ff513e3 docs(readme): restructure for clarity - focus on AI alignment benefits and quick wins 2025-09-07 05:07:21 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale f6913b7661 docs(readme): streamline content, focus on change management vs Kiro 2025-09-07 04:53:19 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale 730bbc00af docs(readme): remove JSON for automation section 2025-09-07 04:46:18 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale adfcc65b9f docs(readme): simplify getting started with clearer AI workflow steps 2025-09-07 04:41:56 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale 590541277d docs(readme): fix getting started to show AI-native workflow, not manual file creation 2025-09-07 04:36:03 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale 14e2cc628a docs(readme): enhance for public release with why, workflow diagram, AI integration, comparisons 2025-09-07 04:26:44 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale 299171c5cb docs(readme): add CI, npm, Node, license, conventional commits badges 2025-09-07 03:57:33 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale bb6aae0205 docs(license): add MIT license file 2025-09-07 03:32:27 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale 23c0ab6358 docs(readme): improve onboarding, verb-first commands, examples, JSON usage, troubleshooting 2025-09-07 03:20:34 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale 02fe5b3547 Merge pull request #56 from Fission-AI/fix-tests
fix(test): resolve CI test failures with proper build setup
2025-09-07 02:34:13 +10:00
Tabish Bidiwale 5c6ae8e407 Merge pull request #55 from Fission-AI/fix-tests
fix(ci): ensure build runs before tests in workflows
2025-09-07 02:04:04 +10:00
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MIT License
Copyright (c) 2024 OpenSpec Contributors
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.
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# OpenSpec
A specification-driven development system for maintaining living documentation alongside your code.
[![CI](https://github.com/Fission-AI/OpenSpec/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/Fission-AI/OpenSpec/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
[![npm version](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/@fission-ai/openspec)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@fission-ai/openspec)
[![node](https://img.shields.io/node/v/@fission-ai/openspec)](https://nodejs.org/)
[![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-blue.svg)](./LICENSE)
[![Conventional Commits](https://img.shields.io/badge/Conventional%20Commits-1.0.0-yellow.svg)](https://conventionalcommits.org)
**Supported AI Tools:** ✅ Claude Code | 🔜 Cursor (coming soon) | 🔜 AGENTS.md support (coming soon)
Create **alignment** between humans and AI coding assistants through spec-driven development. **No API keys required.**
OpenSpec ensures you and your AI assistant agree on what to build before any code is written. By discussing and refining specifications first, you bring determinism to AI code generation—getting exactly what you want, not what the AI thinks you might want.
## Why OpenSpec?
**The Problem:** AI coding assistants are powerful but unpredictable. Without clear specifications, they generate code based on assumptions, often missing requirements or adding unwanted features. Teams waste time in review cycles because humans and AI aren't aligned on what to build.
**The Solution:** OpenSpec creates alignment BEFORE code is written:
- **Human-AI Alignment** - You and your AI agree on specifications before implementation
- **Deterministic Output** - Clear specs lead to predictable code generation
- **Team Alignment** - Everyone reviews specs, not code surprises
- **Focus on What, Not How** - Define requirements while AI handles implementation
- **Living Documentation** - Specs evolve with your code as a natural byproduct
## What You Get
- **Alignment First** - Ensure humans and AI agree on what to build before writing code
- **Predictable AI Output** - Turn non-deterministic AI into a reliable development partner
- **Universal Tool Support** - Works with any AI assistant - Claude Code, Cursor, or future tools
- **No API Keys Required** - Integrates through context rules, not external services
- **Spec-Level Reviews** - Teams review intentions, not implementation details
- **Clear Feature Scope** - Know exactly what you're building and what you're not
- **Progress Tracking** - See what's proposed, in progress, or completed at a glance
## How It Works
```
┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐
│ SPECS │ │ CHANGES │ │ ARCHIVE │
│ (Truth) │◀──────│ (Proposals) │──────▶│ (Completed) │
└─────────────┘ └─────────────┘ └──────────────┘
▲ │ │
│ ▼ │
│ ┌─────────────┐ │
└───────────────│ CODE │◀──────────────┘
└─────────────┘
1. SPECS define current capabilities (what IS built)
2. CHANGES propose modifications using deltas (what SHOULD change)
3. CODE implements the changes following tasks
4. ARCHIVE preserves completed changes after deployment
```
## Installation
### Prerequisites
- Node.js >= 20.19.0
### Install OpenSpec
Install globally:
```bash
npm install -g openspec
npm install -g @fission-ai/openspec
```
## Quick Start
## Getting Started
### 1. Initialize OpenSpec in Your Project
```bash
# Initialize OpenSpec in your project
# Navigate to your project
cd my-project
# Initialize OpenSpec
openspec init
# Update existing OpenSpec instructions (team-friendly)
openspec update
# Select your AI tool (more coming soon!):
# "Which AI tool do you use?"
# > Claude Code
# Cursor (coming soon)
# List specs or changes
openspec spec list # specs (IDs by default; use --long for details)
openspec change list # changes (IDs by default; use --long for details)
# Show differences between specs and proposed changes
openspec diff [change-name]
# Archive completed changes
openspec archive [change-name]
# This creates:
# openspec/
# ├── specs/ # Current specifications (truth)
# ├── changes/ # Proposed changes
# └── README.md # AI instructions for your tool
```
## Commands
### 2. Create Your First Change
### `openspec init`
Jump straight into creating a change proposal with your AI assistant (works with Claude Code, Cursor, or any AI tool):
Initializes OpenSpec in your project by creating:
- `openspec/` directory structure
- `openspec/README.md` with OpenSpec instructions
- AI tool configuration files (based on your selection)
```markdown
// Quick win - Add a simple new feature:
You: "I want to add a user profile API endpoint.
Please create an OpenSpec change proposal for this."
### `openspec update`
AI: "I'll create an OpenSpec change proposal for the user profile API..."
*Creates openspec/changes/add-user-profile-api/ with:*
- proposal.md (why this feature is needed)
- tasks.md (implementation checklist)
- design.md (API design decisions)
- specs/user-profile/spec.md (new requirements)
Updates OpenSpec instructions to the latest version. This command is **team-friendly** and only updates files that already exist:
You: "The proposal looks good. Let's implement it."
- Always updates `openspec/README.md` with the latest OpenSpec instructions
- **Only updates existing AI tool configuration files** (e.g., CLAUDE.md, CURSOR.md)
- **Never creates new AI tool configuration files**
- Preserves content outside of OpenSpec markers in AI tool files
AI: "Following the tasks in openspec/changes/add-user-profile-api/tasks.md:
Task 1.1: Create user profile model..."
*Implements each task systematically*
```
This allows team members to use different AI tools without conflicts. Each developer can maintain their preferred AI tool configuration file, and `openspec update` will respect their choice.
### 3. Track Your Work
### `openspec spec`
```bash
# View active changes (what's being worked on)
openspec list
Manage and view specifications.
# See the difference between proposed and current specs
openspec diff add-2fa
Examples:
- `openspec spec show <spec-id>`
- Text mode: prints raw `spec.md` content
- JSON mode (`--json`): returns minimal, stable shape
- Filters are JSON-only: `--requirements`, `--no-scenarios`, `-r/--requirement <1-based>`
- `openspec spec list`
- Prints IDs only by default
- Use `--long` to include `title` and `[requirements N]`
- `openspec spec validate <spec-id>`
- Text: human-readable summary to stdout/stderr
- `--json` for structured report
# Validate your changes are properly formatted
openspec validate add-2fa --strict
### `openspec change`
# After deployment, archive the completed change
openspec archive add-2fa
# This moves the change to archive/ and updates specs/
```
Manage and view change proposals.
## Common Commands
Examples:
- `openspec change show <change-id>`
- Text mode: prints raw `proposal.md` content
- JSON mode (`--json`): `{ id, title, deltaCount, deltas }`
- Filtering is JSON-only: `--deltas-only` (alias: `--requirements-only`, deprecated)
- `openspec change list`
- Prints IDs only by default
- Use `--long` to include `title` and counts `[deltas N] [tasks x/y]`
- `openspec change validate <change-id>`
- Text: human-readable result
- `--json` for structured report
```bash
# Most used:
openspec list # See what changes you're working on
openspec archive <change> # Mark a change as complete after deployment
### `openspec diff [change-name]`
# Also useful:
openspec diff <change> # See what specs will change
openspec validate <change> # Check formatting before committing
openspec show <change> # View change details
```
Shows the differences between current specs and proposed changes:
- Displays a unified diff format
- Helps review what will change before implementation
- Useful for pull request reviews
## Example: How AI Creates OpenSpec Files
### `openspec archive [change-name]`
When you ask your AI assistant to "add two-factor authentication", it creates:
Archives a completed change:
- Moves change from `openspec/changes/` to `openspec/changes/archive/`
- Adds a date prefix to the archived change
- Updates specs to reflect the new state
- Use `--skip-specs` to archive without updating specs (for abandoned changes)
```
openspec/
├── specs/
│ └── auth/
│ └── spec.md # Current auth spec (if exists)
└── changes/
└── add-2fa/ # AI creates this entire structure
├── proposal.md # Why and what changes
├── tasks.md # Implementation checklist
├── design.md # Technical decisions (optional)
└── specs/
└── auth/
└── spec.md # Delta showing additions
```
## Team Collaboration
### AI-Generated Spec (created in `openspec/specs/auth/spec.md`):
OpenSpec is designed for team collaboration:
```markdown
# Auth Specification
## Purpose
Authentication and session management.
## Requirements
### Requirement: User Authentication
The system SHALL issue a JWT on successful login.
#### Scenario: Valid credentials
- WHEN a user submits valid credentials
- THEN a JWT is returned
```
### AI-Generated Change Delta (created in `openspec/changes/add-2fa/specs/auth/spec.md`):
```markdown
# Delta for Auth
## ADDED Requirements
### Requirement: Two-Factor Authentication
The system MUST require a second factor during login.
#### Scenario: OTP required
- WHEN a user submits valid credentials
- THEN an OTP challenge is required
```
### AI-Generated Tasks (created in `openspec/changes/add-2fa/tasks.md`):
```markdown
## 1. Database Setup
- [ ] 1.1 Add OTP secret column to users table
- [ ] 1.2 Create OTP verification logs table
## 2. Backend Implementation
- [ ] 2.1 Add OTP generation endpoint
- [ ] 2.2 Modify login flow to require OTP
- [ ] 2.3 Add OTP verification endpoint
## 3. Frontend Updates
- [ ] 3.1 Create OTP input component
- [ ] 3.2 Update login flow UI
```
**Important:** You don't create these files manually. Your AI assistant generates them based on your requirements and the existing codebase.
## Understanding OpenSpec Files
### Delta Format
Deltas are "patches" that show how specs change:
- **`## ADDED Requirements`** - New capabilities
- **`## MODIFIED Requirements`** - Changed behavior (include complete updated text)
- **`## REMOVED Requirements`** - Deprecated features
**Format requirements:**
- Use `### Requirement: <name>` for headers
- Every requirement needs at least one `#### Scenario:` block
- Use SHALL/MUST in requirement text
## Why OpenSpec Works
OpenSpec creates **alignment** between you and your AI coding assistant:
1. **You describe** what you want to build
2. **AI creates specs** before writing any code
3. **You review and adjust** the specifications
4. **AI implements** exactly what was specified
5. **Everyone understands** what's being built through clear specs
**True Interoperability:** OpenSpec is designed to be universal. No API keys, no vendor lock-in. It works by adding context rules to ANY AI coding tool - whether you use Claude Code today, switch to Cursor tomorrow, or adopt the next breakthrough AI assistant. Your specs remain portable and your workflow stays consistent.
## How OpenSpec Compares
### vs. Kiro.dev
OpenSpec groups all changes for a feature in one place (`openspec/changes/feature-name/`), making it easy to track what needs to be done. Kiro spreads changes across multiple spec folders, making feature tracking harder.
### vs. No Specs
Without specs, AI coding assistants generate code based on vague prompts, often missing requirements or adding unwanted features. OpenSpec ensures alignment before any code is written.
## Team Adoption
### Getting Started with Your Team
1. **Initialize OpenSpec** - Run `openspec init` in your project
2. **Start with new features** - Use OpenSpec for your next change proposal
3. **Build incrementally** - Each new feature adds to your spec library
4. **Future capability** - We're working on tools to generate specs from existing code
**Tool Freedom:** Your team can use different AI assistants. One developer might use Claude Code while another uses Cursor - OpenSpec keeps everyone aligned through shared specifications. Run `openspec update` to configure for any supported tool without affecting others.
1. **AI Tool Flexibility**: Each team member can use their preferred AI assistant (Claude, Cursor, etc.)
2. **Non-Invasive Updates**: The `update` command only modifies existing files, never forcing tools on team members
3. **Specification Sharing**: The `openspec/` directory contains shared specifications that all team members work from
4. **Change Tracking**: Proposed changes are visible to all team members for review before implementation
## Contributing
See `openspec/specs/` for the current system specifications and `openspec/changes/` for pending improvements.
## Notes
- The legacy `openspec list` command is deprecated. Use `openspec spec list` and `openspec change list`.
- Text output is raw-first (no formatting or filtering). Prefer `--json` for tooling-friendly output.
- Global `--no-color` disables ANSI colors and respects `NO_COLOR`.
- Install dependencies: `npm install`
- Build: `npm run build`
- Test: `npm test`
- Develop CLI locally: `npm run dev` or `npm run dev:cli`
- Conventional commits (one-line): `type(scope): subject`
## License
MIT
MIT
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Instructions for AI coding assistants using OpenSpec for spec-driven development.
## TL;DR Quick Checklist
- Search existing work: `openspec spec list --long`, `openspec list` (use `rg` only for full-text search)
- Decide scope: new capability vs modify existing capability
- Pick a unique `change-id`: kebab-case, verb-led (`add-`, `update-`, `remove-`, `refactor-`)
- Scaffold: `proposal.md`, `tasks.md`, `design.md` (only if needed), and delta specs per affected capability
- Write deltas: use `## ADDED|MODIFIED|REMOVED|RENAMED Requirements`; include at least one `#### Scenario:` per requirement
- Validate: `openspec validate [change-id] --strict` and fix issues
- Request approval: Do not start implementation until proposal is approved
## Three-Stage Workflow
### Stage 1: Creating Changes
@@ -12,6 +22,17 @@ Create proposal when you need to:
- Optimize performance (changes behavior)
- Update security patterns
Triggers (examples):
- "Help me create a change proposal"
- "Help me plan a change"
- "Help me create a proposal"
- "I want to create a spec proposal"
- "I want to create a spec"
Loose matching guidance:
- Contains one of: `proposal`, `change`, `spec`
- With one of: `create`, `plan`, `make`, `start`, `help`
Skip proposal for:
- Bug fixes (restore intended behavior)
- Typos, formatting, comments
@@ -25,6 +46,8 @@ Skip proposal for:
3. **Read tasks.md** - Get implementation checklist
4. **Implement tasks sequentially** - Complete in order
5. **Mark complete immediately** - Update `- [x]` after each task
6. **Validate strictly** - Run `openspec validate [change] --strict` and address issues
7. **Approval gate** - Do not start implementation until the proposal is reviewed and approved
### Stage 3: Archiving Changes
After deployment, create separate PR to:
@@ -45,6 +68,15 @@ After deployment, create separate PR to:
- Always check if capability already exists
- Prefer modifying existing specs over creating duplicates
- Use `openspec show [spec]` to review current state
- If request is ambiguous, ask 1–2 clarifying questions before scaffolding
### Search Guidance
- Enumerate specs: `openspec spec list --long` (or `--json` for scripts)
- Enumerate changes: `openspec list` (or `openspec change list --json` - deprecated but available)
- Show details:
- Spec: `openspec show <spec-id> --type spec` (use `--json` for filters)
- Change: `openspec show <change-id> --json --deltas-only`
- Full-text search (use ripgrep): `rg -n "Requirement:|Scenario:" openspec/specs`
## Quick Start
@@ -93,7 +125,7 @@ openspec/
│ ├── [change-name]/
│ │ ├── proposal.md # Why, what, impact
│ │ ├── tasks.md # Implementation checklist
│ │ ├── design.md # Technical decisions (optional)
│ │ ├── design.md # Technical decisions (optional; see criteria)
│ │ └── specs/ # Delta changes
│ │ └── [capability]/
│ │ └── spec.md # ADDED/MODIFIED/REMOVED
@@ -116,7 +148,7 @@ New request?
### Proposal Structure
1. **Create directory:** `changes/[descriptive-name]/`
1. **Create directory:** `changes/[change-id]/` (kebab-case, verb-led, unique)
2. **Write proposal.md:**
```markdown
@@ -151,6 +183,7 @@ The system SHALL provide...
**Reason**: [Why removing]
**Migration**: [How to handle]
```
If multiple capabilities are affected, create multiple delta files under `changes/[change-id]/specs/<capability>/spec.md`—one per capability.
4. **Create tasks.md:**
```markdown
@@ -161,6 +194,36 @@ The system SHALL provide...
- [ ] 1.4 Write tests
```
5. **Create design.md when needed:**
Create `design.md` if any of the following apply; otherwise omit it:
- Cross-cutting change (multiple services/modules) or a new architectural pattern
- New external dependency or significant data model changes
- Security, performance, or migration complexity
- Ambiguity that benefits from technical decisions before coding
Minimal `design.md` skeleton:
```markdown
## Context
[Background, constraints, stakeholders]
## Goals / Non-Goals
- Goals: [...]
- Non-Goals: [...]
## Decisions
- Decision: [What and why]
- Alternatives considered: [Options + rationale]
## Risks / Trade-offs
- [Risk] → Mitigation
## Migration Plan
[Steps, rollback]
## Open Questions
- [...]
```
## Spec File Format
### Critical: Scenario Formatting
@@ -181,6 +244,9 @@ The system SHALL provide...
Every requirement MUST have at least one scenario.
### Requirement Wording
- Use SHALL/MUST for normative requirements (avoid should/may unless intentionally non-normative)
### Delta Operations
- `## ADDED Requirements` - New capabilities
@@ -190,6 +256,13 @@ Every requirement MUST have at least one scenario.
Headers matched with `trim(header)` - whitespace ignored.
Example for RENAMED:
```markdown
## RENAMED Requirements
- FROM: `### Requirement: Login`
- TO: `### Requirement: User Authentication`
```
## Troubleshooting
### Common Errors
@@ -219,6 +292,64 @@ openspec show [change] --json | jq '.deltas'
openspec show [spec] --json -r 1
```
## Happy Path Script
```bash
# 1) Explore current state
openspec spec list --long
openspec list
# Optional full-text search:
# rg -n "Requirement:|Scenario:" openspec/specs
# rg -n "^#|Requirement:" openspec/changes
# 2) Choose change id and scaffold
CHANGE=add-two-factor-auth
mkdir -p openspec/changes/$CHANGE/{specs/auth}
printf "## Why\n...\n\n## What Changes\n- ...\n\n## Impact\n- ...\n" > openspec/changes/$CHANGE/proposal.md
printf "## 1. Implementation\n- [ ] 1.1 ...\n" > openspec/changes/$CHANGE/tasks.md
# 3) Add deltas (example)
cat > openspec/changes/$CHANGE/specs/auth/spec.md << 'EOF'
## ADDED Requirements
### Requirement: Two-Factor Authentication
Users MUST provide a second factor during login.
#### Scenario: OTP required
- **WHEN** valid credentials are provided
- **THEN** an OTP challenge is required
EOF
# 4) Validate
openspec validate $CHANGE --strict
```
## Multi-Capability Example
```
openspec/changes/add-2fa-notify/
├── proposal.md
├── tasks.md
└── specs/
├── auth/
│ └── spec.md # ADDED: Two-Factor Authentication
└── notifications/
└── spec.md # ADDED: OTP email notification
```
auth/spec.md
```markdown
## ADDED Requirements
### Requirement: Two-Factor Authentication
...
```
notifications/spec.md
```markdown
## ADDED Requirements
### Requirement: OTP Email Notification
...
```
## Best Practices
### Simplicity First
@@ -244,6 +375,11 @@ Only add complexity with:
- 10-minute understandability rule
- Split if description needs "AND"
### Change ID Naming
- Use kebab-case, short and descriptive: `add-two-factor-auth`
- Prefer verb-led prefixes: `add-`, `update-`, `remove-`, `refactor-`
- Ensure uniqueness; if taken, append `-2`, `-3`, etc.
## Tool Selection Guide
| Task | Tool | Why |
@@ -295,4 +431,4 @@ openspec validate --strict # Is it correct?
openspec archive [change] # Mark complete
```
Remember: Specs are truth. Changes are proposals. Keep them in sync.
Remember: Specs are truth. Changes are proposals. Keep them in sync.
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3. Read tasks.md for implementation checklist
4. Complete tasks one by one
5. Mark each task complete immediately: \`- [x]\`
6. Validate strictly: \`openspec validate [change] --strict\`
7. Approval gate: Do not start implementation until the proposal is approved
### Stage 3: Archiving
After deployment, use \`openspec archive [change]\` (add \`--skip-specs\` for tooling-only changes)
@@ -49,11 +51,20 @@ openspec show [change] --json --deltas-only
## Creating Changes
1. **Directory:** \`changes/[descriptive-name]/\`
1. **Directory:** \`changes/[change-id]/\`
- Change ID naming: kebab-case, verb-led (\`add-\`, \`update-\`, \`remove-\`, \`refactor-\`), unique (append \`-2\`, \`-3\` if needed)
2. **Files:**
- \`proposal.md\` - Why, what, impact
- \`tasks.md\` - Implementation checklist
- \`specs/[capability]/spec.md\` - Delta changes (ADDED/MODIFIED/REMOVED)
- \`design.md\` - Only if needed (cross-cutting, new deps/data model, security/perf/migration complexity, or high ambiguity)
- \`specs/[capability]/spec.md\` - Delta changes (ADDED/MODIFIED/REMOVED). For multiple capabilities, include multiple files.
3. **If ambiguous:** ask 1–2 clarifying questions before scaffolding
## Search Guidance
- Enumerate specs: \`openspec spec list --long\` (or \`--json\`)
- Enumerate changes: \`openspec list\`
- Show details: \`openspec show <spec-id> --type spec\`, \`openspec show <change-id> --json --deltas-only\`
- Full-text search (use ripgrep): \`rg -n "Requirement:|Scenario:" openspec/specs\`
## Critical: Scenario Format
@@ -92,4 +103,4 @@ Every requirement MUST have scenarios using \`#### Scenario:\` format.
- Don't use bullets or bold
**Debug:** \`openspec show [change] --json --deltas-only\`
`;
`;
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export const readmeTemplate = `# OpenSpec Instructions
This document provides instructions for AI coding assistants on how to use OpenSpec conventions for spec-driven development. Follow these rules precisely when working on OpenSpec-enabled projects.
Instructions for AI coding assistants using OpenSpec for spec-driven development.
## Core Principle
## TL;DR Quick Checklist
OpenSpec is an AI-native system for change-driven development where:
- **Specs** (\`specs/\`) reflect what IS currently built and deployed
- **Changes** (\`changes/\`) contain proposals for what SHOULD be changed
- **AI drives the process** - You generate proposals, humans review and approve
- **Specs are living documentation** - Always kept in sync with deployed code
- Search existing work: \`openspec spec list --long\`, \`openspec list\` (use \`rg\` only for full-text search)
- Decide scope: new capability vs modify existing capability
- Pick a unique \`change-id\`: kebab-case, verb-led (\`add-\`, \`update-\`, \`remove-\`, \`refactor-\`)
- Scaffold: \`proposal.md\`, \`tasks.md\`, \`design.md\` (only if needed), and delta specs per affected capability
- Write deltas: use \`## ADDED|MODIFIED|REMOVED|RENAMED Requirements\`; include at least one \`#### Scenario:\` per requirement
- Validate: \`openspec validate [change-id] --strict\` and fix issues
- Request approval: Do not start implementation until proposal is approved
## Start Simple
## Three-Stage Workflow
**Default to minimal implementations:**
- New features should be <100 lines of code initially
- Use the simplest solution that works
- Avoid premature optimization (no caching, parallelization, or complex patterns without proven need)
- Choose boring technology over cutting-edge solutions
### Stage 1: Creating Changes
Create proposal when you need to:
- Add features or functionality
- Make breaking changes (API, schema)
- Change architecture or patterns
- Optimize performance (changes behavior)
- Update security patterns
**Complexity triggers** - Only add complexity when you have:
- **Performance data** showing current solution is too slow
- **Scale requirements** with specific numbers (>1000 users, >100MB data)
- **Multiple use cases** requiring the same abstraction
- **Regulatory compliance** mandating specific patterns
- **Security threats** that simple solutions cannot address
Triggers (examples):
- "Help me create a change proposal"
- "Help me plan a change"
- "Help me create a proposal"
- "I want to create a spec proposal"
- "I want to create a spec"
When triggered, document the specific justification in your change proposal.
Loose matching guidance:
- Contains one of: \`proposal\`, \`change\`, \`spec\`
- With one of: \`create\`, \`plan\`, \`make\`, \`start\`, \`help\`
Skip proposal for:
- Bug fixes (restore intended behavior)
- Typos, formatting, comments
- Dependency updates (non-breaking)
- Configuration changes
- Tests for existing behavior
### Stage 2: Implementing Changes
1. **Read proposal.md** - Understand what's being built
2. **Read design.md** (if exists) - Review technical decisions
3. **Read tasks.md** - Get implementation checklist
4. **Implement tasks sequentially** - Complete in order
5. **Mark complete immediately** - Update \`- [x]\` after each task
6. **Validate strictly** - Run \`openspec validate [change] --strict\` and address issues
7. **Approval gate** - Do not start implementation until the proposal is reviewed and approved
### Stage 3: Archiving Changes
After deployment, create separate PR to:
- Move \`changes/[name]/\` → \`changes/archive/YYYY-MM-DD-[name]/\`
- Update \`specs/\` if capabilities changed
- Use \`openspec archive [change] --skip-specs\` for tooling-only changes
## Before Any Task
**Context Checklist:**
- [ ] Read relevant specs in \`specs/[capability]/spec.md\`
- [ ] Check pending changes in \`changes/\` for conflicts
- [ ] Read \`openspec/project.md\` for conventions
- [ ] Run \`openspec list\` to see active changes
- [ ] Run \`openspec list --specs\` to see existing capabilities
**Before Creating Specs:**
- Always check if capability already exists
- Prefer modifying existing specs over creating duplicates
- Use \`openspec show [spec]\` to review current state
- If request is ambiguous, ask 1–2 clarifying questions before scaffolding
### Search Guidance
- Enumerate specs: \`openspec spec list --long\` (or \`--json\` for scripts)
- Enumerate changes: \`openspec list\` (or \`openspec change list --json\` - deprecated but available)
- Show details:
- Spec: \`openspec show <spec-id> --type spec\` (use \`--json\` for filters)
- Change: \`openspec show <change-id> --json --deltas-only\`
- Full-text search (use ripgrep): \`rg -n "Requirement:|Scenario:" openspec/specs\`
## Quick Start
### CLI Commands
\`\`\`bash
# Essential commands
openspec list # List active changes
openspec list --specs # List specifications
openspec show [item] # Display change or spec
openspec diff [change] # Show spec differences
openspec validate [item] # Validate changes or specs
openspec archive [change] # Archive after deployment
# Project management
openspec init [path] # Initialize OpenSpec
openspec update [path] # Update instruction files
# Interactive mode
openspec show # Prompts for selection
openspec validate # Bulk validation mode
# Debugging
openspec show [change] --json --deltas-only
openspec validate [change] --strict
\`\`\`
### Command Flags
- \`--json\` - Machine-readable output
- \`--type change|spec\` - Disambiguate items
- \`--strict\` - Comprehensive validation
- \`--no-interactive\` - Disable prompts
- \`--skip-specs\` - Archive without spec updates
## Directory Structure
\`\`\`
openspec/
├── project.md # Project-specific context (tech stack, conventions)
├── README.md # This file - OpenSpec instructions
├── project.md # Project conventions
├── specs/ # Current truth - what IS built
│ ├── [capability]/ # Single, focused capability
│ │ ├── spec.md # WHAT the capability does and WHY
│ │ └── design.md # HOW it's built (established patterns)
│ └── ...
├── changes/ # Proposed changes - what we're CHANGING
│ └── [capability]/ # Single focused capability
│ ├── spec.md # Requirements and scenarios
│ └── design.md # Technical patterns
├── changes/ # Proposals - what SHOULD change
│ ├── [change-name]/
│ │ ├── proposal.md # Why, what, impact (consolidated)
│ │ ├── proposal.md # Why, what, impact
│ │ ├── tasks.md # Implementation checklist
│ │ ├── design.md # Technical decisions (optional, for complex changes)
│ │ └── specs/ # Delta changes to specs
│ │ ├── design.md # Technical decisions (optional; see criteria)
│ │ └── specs/ # Delta changes
│ │ └── [capability]/
│ │ └── spec.md # Delta format (ADDED/MODIFIED/REMOVED/RENAMED)
│ └── archive/ # Completed changes (dated)
│ │ └── spec.md # ADDED/MODIFIED/REMOVED
│ └── archive/ # Completed changes
\`\`\`
### Capability Organization
## Creating Change Proposals
**Use capabilities, not features** - Each directory under \`specs/\` represents a single, focused responsibility:
- **Verb-noun naming**: \`user-auth\`, \`payment-capture\`, \`order-checkout\`
- **10-minute rule**: Each capability should be understandable in <10 minutes
- **Single purpose**: If it needs "AND" to describe it, split it
### Decision Tree
Examples:
\`\`\`
✅ GOOD: user-auth, user-sessions, payment-capture, payment-refunds
❌ BAD: users, payments, core, misc
New request?
├─ Bug fix restoring spec behavior? → Fix directly
├─ Typo/format/comment? → Fix directly
├─ New feature/capability? → Create proposal
├─ Breaking change? → Create proposal
├─ Architecture change? → Create proposal
└─ Unclear? → Create proposal (safer)
\`\`\`
## Key Behavioral Rules
### Proposal Structure
### 1. Always Start by Reading
1. **Create directory:** \`changes/[change-id]/\` (kebab-case, verb-led, unique)
Before any task:
1. **Read relevant specs** in \`specs/[capability]/spec.md\` to understand current state
2. **Check pending changes** in \`changes/\` directory for potential conflicts
3. **Read project.md** for project-specific conventions
2. **Write proposal.md:**
\`\`\`markdown
## Why
[1-2 sentences on problem/opportunity]
### 2. When to Create Change Proposals
## What Changes
- [Bullet list of changes]
- [Mark breaking changes with **BREAKING**]
**ALWAYS create a change proposal for:**
- New features or functionality
- Breaking changes (API changes, schema updates)
- Architecture changes or new patterns
- Performance optimizations that change behavior
- Security updates affecting auth/access patterns
- Any change requiring multiple steps or affecting multiple systems
**SKIP proposals for:**
- Bug fixes that restore intended behavior
- Typos, formatting, or comment updates
- Dependency updates (unless breaking)
- Configuration or environment variable changes
- Adding tests for existing behavior
- Documentation fixes
**Complexity assessment:**
- If your solution requires >100 lines of new code, justify the complexity
- If adding dependencies, frameworks, or architectural patterns, document why simpler alternatives won't work
- Default to single-file implementations until proven insufficient
### 3. Delta-Based Change Format
Changes use a delta format with clear sections:
## Impact
- Affected specs: [list capabilities]
- Affected code: [key files/systems]
\`\`\`
3. **Create spec deltas:** \`specs/[capability]/spec.md\`
\`\`\`markdown
## ADDED Requirements
### Requirement: New Feature
[Complete requirement content in structured format]
The system SHALL provide...
## MODIFIED Requirements
#### Scenario: Success case
- **WHEN** user performs action
- **THEN** expected result
## MODIFIED Requirements
### Requirement: Existing Feature
[Complete modified requirement (header must match current spec)]
[Complete modified requirement]
## REMOVED Requirements
### Requirement: Old Feature
**Reason for removal**: [Why removing]
**Migration path**: [How to handle existing usage]
**Reason**: [Why removing]
**Migration**: [How to handle]
\`\`\`
If multiple capabilities are affected, create multiple delta files under \`changes/[change-id]/specs/<capability>/spec.md\`—one per capability.
## RENAMED Requirements
- FROM: \`### Requirement: Old Name\`
- TO: \`### Requirement: New Name\`
4. **Create tasks.md:**
\`\`\`markdown
## 1. Implementation
- [ ] 1.1 Create database schema
- [ ] 1.2 Implement API endpoint
- [ ] 1.3 Add frontend component
- [ ] 1.4 Write tests
\`\`\`
Key rules:
- Headers are matched using \`normalize(header) = trim(header)\`
- Include complete requirements (not diffs)
- Use standard symbols in CLI output: + (added), ~ (modified), - (removed), → (renamed)
5. **Create design.md when needed:**
Create \`design.md\` if any of the following apply; otherwise omit it:
- Cross-cutting change (multiple services/modules) or a new architectural pattern
- New external dependency or significant data model changes
- Security, performance, or migration complexity
- Ambiguity that benefits from technical decisions before coding
### 4. Creating a Change Proposal
Minimal \`design.md\` skeleton:
\`\`\`markdown
## Context
[Background, constraints, stakeholders]
When a user requests a significant change:
## Goals / Non-Goals
- Goals: [...]
- Non-Goals: [...]
## Decisions
- Decision: [What and why]
- Alternatives considered: [Options + rationale]
## Risks / Trade-offs
- [Risk] → Mitigation
## Migration Plan
[Steps, rollback]
## Open Questions
- [...]
\`\`\`
## Spec File Format
### Critical: Scenario Formatting
**CORRECT** (use #### headers):
\`\`\`markdown
#### Scenario: User login success
- **WHEN** valid credentials provided
- **THEN** return JWT token
\`\`\`
**WRONG** (don't use bullets or bold):
\`\`\`markdown
- **Scenario: User login** ❌
**Scenario**: User login ❌
### Scenario: User login ❌
\`\`\`
Every requirement MUST have at least one scenario.
### Requirement Wording
- Use SHALL/MUST for normative requirements (avoid should/may unless intentionally non-normative)
### Delta Operations
- \`## ADDED Requirements\` - New capabilities
- \`## MODIFIED Requirements\` - Changed behavior
- \`## REMOVED Requirements\` - Deprecated features
- \`## RENAMED Requirements\` - Name changes
Headers matched with \`trim(header)\` - whitespace ignored.
Example for RENAMED:
\`\`\`markdown
## RENAMED Requirements
- FROM: \`### Requirement: Login\`
- TO: \`### Requirement: User Authentication\`
\`\`\`
## Troubleshooting
### Common Errors
**"Change must have at least one delta"**
- Check \`changes/[name]/specs/\` exists with .md files
- Verify files have operation prefixes (## ADDED Requirements)
**"Requirement must have at least one scenario"**
- Check scenarios use \`#### Scenario:\` format (4 hashtags)
- Don't use bullet points or bold for scenario headers
**Silent scenario parsing failures**
- Exact format required: \`#### Scenario: Name\`
- Debug with: \`openspec show [change] --json --deltas-only\`
### Validation Tips
\`\`\`bash
# 1. Create the change directory
openspec/changes/[descriptive-name]/
# Always use strict mode for comprehensive checks
openspec validate [change] --strict
# 2. Generate proposal.md with all context
## Why
[1-2 sentences on the problem/opportunity]
# Debug delta parsing
openspec show [change] --json | jq '.deltas'
## What Changes
[Bullet list of changes, including breaking changes]
## Impact
- Affected specs: [list capabilities that will change]
- Affected code: [list key files/systems]
# 3. Create delta specs for ALL affected capabilities
# - Store only the changes (not complete future state)
# - Use sections: ## ADDED, ## MODIFIED, ## REMOVED, ## RENAMED
# - Include complete requirements in their final form
# Example spec.md content:
# ## ADDED Requirements
# ### Requirement: Password Reset
# Users SHALL be able to reset passwords via email...
#
# ## MODIFIED Requirements
# ### Requirement: User Authentication
# [Complete modified requirement with new password reset hook]
specs/
└── [capability]/
└── spec.md # Contains delta sections
# 4. Create tasks.md with implementation steps
## 1. [Task Group]
- [ ] 1.1 [Specific task]
- [ ] 1.2 [Specific task]
# 5. For complex changes, add design.md
[Technical decisions and trade-offs]
# Check specific requirement
openspec show [spec] --json -r 1
\`\`\`
### 5. The Change Lifecycle
## Happy Path Script
1. **Propose** → Create change directory with delta-based documentation
2. **Review** → User reviews and approves the proposal
3. **Implement** → Follow the approved tasks.md (can be multiple PRs)
4. **Deploy** → User confirms deployment
5. **Update Specs** → Apply deltas to sync specs/ with new reality (IF the change affects system capabilities)
6. **Archive** → Move to \`changes/archive/YYYY-MM-DD-[name]/\`
\`\`\`bash
# 1) Explore current state
openspec spec list --long
openspec list
# Optional full-text search:
# rg -n "Requirement:|Scenario:" openspec/specs
# rg -n "^#|Requirement:" openspec/changes
### 6. Implementing Changes
# 2) Choose change id and scaffold
CHANGE=add-two-factor-auth
mkdir -p openspec/changes/$CHANGE/{specs/auth}
printf "## Why\\n...\\n\\n## What Changes\\n- ...\\n\\n## Impact\\n- ...\\n" > openspec/changes/$CHANGE/proposal.md
printf "## 1. Implementation\\n- [ ] 1.1 ...\\n" > openspec/changes/$CHANGE/tasks.md
When implementing an approved change:
1. Follow the tasks.md checklist exactly
2. **Mark completed tasks** in tasks.md as you finish them (e.g., \`- [x] 1.1 Task completed\`)
3. Ensure code matches the proposed behavior
4. Update any affected tests
5. **Keep change in \`changes/\` directory** - do NOT archive in implementation PR
# 3) Add deltas (example)
cat > openspec/changes/$CHANGE/specs/auth/spec.md << 'EOF'
## ADDED Requirements
### Requirement: Two-Factor Authentication
Users MUST provide a second factor during login.
**Multiple Implementation PRs:**
- Changes can be implemented across multiple PRs
- Each PR should update tasks.md to mark what was completed
- Different developers can work on different task groups
- Example: PR #1 completes tasks 1.1-1.3, PR #2 completes tasks 2.1-2.4
#### Scenario: OTP required
- **WHEN** valid credentials are provided
- **THEN** an OTP challenge is required
EOF
### 7. Updating Specs and Archiving After Deployment
# 4) Validate
openspec validate $CHANGE --strict
\`\`\`
**Create a separate PR after deployment** that:
1. Moves change to \`changes/archive/YYYY-MM-DD-[name]/\`
2. Updates relevant files in \`specs/\` to reflect new reality (if needed)
3. If design.md exists, incorporates proven patterns into \`specs/[capability]/design.md\`
## Multi-Capability Example
This ensures changes are only archived when truly complete and deployed.
\`\`\`
openspec/changes/add-2fa-notify/
├── proposal.md
├── tasks.md
└── specs/
├── auth/
│ └── spec.md # ADDED: Two-Factor Authentication
└── notifications/
└── spec.md # ADDED: OTP email notification
\`\`\`
### 8. Types of Changes That Don't Require Specs
Some changes only affect development infrastructure and don't need specs:
- Initial project setup (package.json, tsconfig.json, etc.)
- Development tooling changes (linters, formatters, build tools)
- CI/CD configuration
- Development dependencies
For these changes:
1. Implement → Deploy → Mark tasks complete → Archive
2. Skip the "Update Specs" step entirely
### What Deserves a Spec?
Ask yourself:
- Is this a system capability that users or other systems interact with?
- Does it have ongoing behavior that needs documentation?
- Would a new developer need to understand this to work with the system?
If NO to all → No spec needed (likely just tooling/infrastructure)
## Understanding Specs vs Code
### Specs Document WHAT and WHY
auth/spec.md
\`\`\`markdown
# Authentication Spec
Users SHALL authenticate with email and password.
WHEN credentials are valid THEN issue JWT token.
WHEN credentials are invalid THEN return generic error.
WHY: Prevent user enumeration attacks.
## ADDED Requirements
### Requirement: Two-Factor Authentication
...
\`\`\`
### Code Documents HOW
\`\`\`javascript
// Implementation details
const user = await db.users.findOne({ email });
const valid = await bcrypt.compare(password, user.hashedPassword);
notifications/spec.md
\`\`\`markdown
## ADDED Requirements
### Requirement: OTP Email Notification
...
\`\`\`
**Key Distinction**: Specs capture intent, constraints, and decisions that aren't obvious from code.
## Best Practices
## Common Scenarios
### Simplicity First
- Default to <100 lines of new code
- Single-file implementations until proven insufficient
- Avoid frameworks without clear justification
- Choose boring, proven patterns
### New Feature Request
\`\`\`
User: "Add password reset functionality"
### Complexity Triggers
Only add complexity with:
- Performance data showing current solution too slow
- Concrete scale requirements (>1000 users, >100MB data)
- Multiple proven use cases requiring abstraction
You should:
1. Read specs/user-auth/spec.md
2. Check changes/ for pending auth changes
3. Create changes/add-password-reset/ with:
- proposal.md describing the change
- specs/user-auth/spec.md with:
## ADDED Requirements
### Requirement: Password Reset
[Complete requirement for password reset]
## MODIFIED Requirements
### Requirement: User Authentication
[Updated to integrate with password reset]
4. Wait for approval before implementing
### Clear References
- Use \`file.ts:42\` format for code locations
- Reference specs as \`specs/auth/spec.md\`
- Link related changes and PRs
### Capability Naming
- Use verb-noun: \`user-auth\`, \`payment-capture\`
- Single purpose per capability
- 10-minute understandability rule
- Split if description needs "AND"
### Change ID Naming
- Use kebab-case, short and descriptive: \`add-two-factor-auth\`
- Prefer verb-led prefixes: \`add-\`, \`update-\`, \`remove-\`, \`refactor-\`
- Ensure uniqueness; if taken, append \`-2\`, \`-3\`, etc.
## Tool Selection Guide
| Task | Tool | Why |
|------|------|-----|
| Find files by pattern | Glob | Fast pattern matching |
| Search code content | Grep | Optimized regex search |
| Read specific files | Read | Direct file access |
| Explore unknown scope | Task | Multi-step investigation |
## Error Recovery
### Change Conflicts
1. Run \`openspec list\` to see active changes
2. Check for overlapping specs
3. Coordinate with change owners
4. Consider combining proposals
### Validation Failures
1. Run with \`--strict\` flag
2. Check JSON output for details
3. Verify spec file format
4. Ensure scenarios properly formatted
### Missing Context
1. Read project.md first
2. Check related specs
3. Review recent archives
4. Ask for clarification
## Quick Reference
### Stage Indicators
- \`changes/\` - Proposed, not yet built
- \`specs/\` - Built and deployed
- \`archive/\` - Completed changes
### File Purposes
- \`proposal.md\` - Why and what
- \`tasks.md\` - Implementation steps
- \`design.md\` - Technical decisions
- \`spec.md\` - Requirements and behavior
### CLI Essentials
\`\`\`bash
openspec list # What's in progress?
openspec show [item] # View details
openspec diff [change] # What's changing?
openspec validate --strict # Is it correct?
openspec archive [change] # Mark complete
\`\`\`
### Bug Fix
\`\`\`
User: "Getting null pointer error when bio is empty"
You should:
1. Check if spec says bios are optional
2. If yes → Fix directly (it's a bug)
3. If no → Create change proposal (it's a behavior change)
\`\`\`
### Infrastructure Setup
\`\`\`
User: "Initialize TypeScript project"
You should:
1. Create change proposal for TypeScript setup
2. Implement configuration files (PR #1)
3. Mark tasks complete in tasks.md
4. After deployment, create separate PR to archive
(no specs update needed - this is tooling, not a capability)
\`\`\`
## Summary Workflow
1. **Receive request** → Determine if it needs a change proposal
2. **Read current state** → Check specs and pending changes
3. **Create proposal** → Generate complete change documentation
4. **Get approval** → User reviews the proposal
5. **Implement** → Follow approved tasks, mark completed items in tasks.md
6. **Deploy** → User deploys the implementation
7. **Archive PR** → Create separate PR to:
- Move change to archive
- Update specs if needed
- Mark change as complete
## PR Workflow Examples
### Single Developer, Simple Change
\`\`\`
PR #1: Implementation
- Implement all tasks
- Update tasks.md marking items complete
- Get merged and deployed
PR #2: Archive (after deployment)
- Move changes/feature-x/ → changes/archive/2025-01-15-feature-x/
- Update specs if needed
\`\`\`
### Multiple Developers, Complex Change
\`\`\`
PR #1: Alice implements auth components
- Complete tasks 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
- Update tasks.md marking these complete
PR #2: Bob implements UI components
- Complete tasks 2.1, 2.2
- Update tasks.md marking these complete
PR #3: Alice fixes integration issues
- Complete remaining task 1.4
- Update tasks.md
[Deploy all changes]
PR #4: Archive
- Move to archive with deployment date
- Update specs to reflect new auth flow
\`\`\`
### Key Rules
- **Never archive in implementation PRs** - changes aren't done until deployed
- **Always update tasks.md** - shows accurate progress
- **One archive PR per change** - clear completion boundary
- **Archive PR includes spec updates** - keeps specs current
## Capability Organization Best Practices
### Naming Capabilities
- Use **verb-noun** patterns: \`user-auth\`, \`payment-capture\`, \`order-checkout\`
- Be specific: \`payment-capture\` not just \`payments\`
- Keep flat: Avoid nesting capabilities within capabilities
- Singular focus: If you need "AND" to describe it, split it
### When to Split Capabilities
Split when you have:
- Multiple unrelated API endpoints
- Different user personas or actors
- Separate deployment considerations
- Independent evolution paths
#### Capability Boundary Guidelines
- Would you import these separately? → Separate capabilities
- Different deployment cadence? → Separate capabilities
- Different teams own them? → Separate capabilities
- Shared data models are OK, shared business logic means combine
Examples:
- user-auth (login/logout) vs user-sessions (token management) → SEPARATE
- payment-capture vs payment-refunds → SEPARATE (different workflows)
- user-profile vs user-settings → COMBINE (same data model, same owner)
### Cross-Cutting Concerns
For system-wide policies (rate limiting, error handling, security), document them in:
- \`project.md\` for project-wide conventions
- Within relevant capability specs where they apply
- Or create a dedicated capability if complex enough (e.g., \`api-rate-limiting/\`)
### Examples of Well-Organized Capabilities
\`\`\`
specs/
├── user-auth/ # Login, logout, password reset
├── user-sessions/ # Token management, refresh
├── user-profile/ # Profile CRUD operations
├── payment-capture/ # Processing payments
├── payment-refunds/ # Handling refunds
└── order-checkout/ # Checkout workflow
\`\`\`
For detailed guidance, see the [Capability Organization Guide](../docs/capability-organization.md).
## Common Scenarios and Clarifications
### Decision Ambiguity: Bug vs Behavior Change
When specs are missing or ambiguous:
- If NO spec exists → Treat current code behavior as implicit spec, require proposal
- If spec is VAGUE → Require proposal to clarify spec alongside fix
- If code and spec DISAGREE → Spec is truth, code is buggy (fix without proposal)
- If unsure → Default to creating a proposal (safer option)
Example:
\`\`\`
User: "The API returns 404 for missing users but should return 400"
AI: Is this a bug (spec says 400) or behavior change (spec says 404)?
\`\`\`
### When You Don't Know the Scope
It's OK to explore first! Tell the user you need to investigate, then create an informed proposal.
### Exploration Phase (When Needed)
BEFORE creating proposal, you may need exploration when:
- User request is vague or high-level
- Multiple implementation approaches exist
- Scope is unclear without seeing code
Exploration checklist:
1. Tell user you need to explore first
2. Use Grep/Read to understand current state
3. Create initial proposal based on findings
4. Refine with user feedback
Example:
\`\`\`
User: "Add caching to improve performance"
AI: "Let me explore the codebase to understand the current architecture and identify caching opportunities."
[After exploration]
AI: "Based on my analysis, I've identified three areas where caching would help. Here's my proposal..."
\`\`\`
### When No Specs Exist
Treat current code as implicit spec. Your proposal should document current state AND proposed changes.
### When in Doubt
Default to creating a proposal. It's easier to skip an unnecessary proposal than fix an undocumented change.
### AI Workflow Adaptations
Task tracking with OpenSpec:
- Track exploration tasks separately from implementation
- Document proposal creation steps as you go
- Keep implementation tasks separate until proposal approved
Parallel operations encouraged:
- Read multiple specs simultaneously
- Check multiple pending changes at once
- Batch related searches for efficiency
Progress communication:
- "Exploring codebase to understand scope..."
- "Creating proposal based on findings..."
- "Implementing approved changes..."
### For AI Assistants
- **Bias toward simplicity** - Propose the minimal solution that works
- Use your exploration tools liberally before proposing
- Batch operations for efficiency
- Communicate your progress
- It's OK to revise proposals based on discoveries
- **Question complexity** - If your solution feels complex, simplify first
## Edge Case Handling
### Multi-Capability Changes
Create ONE proposal that:
- Lists all affected capabilities
- Shows changes per capability
- Has unified task list
- Gets approved as a whole
### Outdated Specs
If specs clearly outdated:
1. Create proposal to update specs to match reality
2. Implement new feature in separate proposal
3. OR combine both in one proposal with clear sections
### Emergency Hotfixes
For critical production issues:
1. Announce: "This is an emergency fix"
2. Implement fix immediately
3. Create retroactive proposal
4. Update specs after deployment
5. Tag with [EMERGENCY] in archive
### Pure Refactoring
No proposal needed for:
- Code formatting/style
- Internal refactoring (same API)
- Performance optimization (same behavior)
- Adding types to untyped code
Proposal REQUIRED for:
- API changes (even if compatible)
- Database schema changes
- Architecture changes
- New dependencies
### Observability Additions
No proposal needed for:
- Adding log statements
- New metrics/traces
- Debugging additions
- Error tracking
Proposal REQUIRED if:
- Changes log format/structure
- Adds new monitoring service
- Changes what's logged (privacy)
## Remember
- You are the process driver - automate documentation burden
- Specs must always reflect deployed reality
- Changes are proposed, not imposed
- Impact analysis prevents surprises
- Simplicity is the power - just markdown files, minimal solutions
- Start simple, add complexity only when justified
By following these conventions, you enable true spec-driven development where documentation stays current, changes are traceable, and evolution is intentional.
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Remember: Specs are truth. Changes are proposals. Keep them in sync.
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