openspec-onboard

OpenSpec onboarding is achieved through a guided, phase-based workflow that walks developers through a complete change lifecycle from preflight to archive. It provides narrated steps and hands-on tasks within your actual project to accelerate learning.

The OpenSpec change lifecycle encompasses initialization, task selection, exploring, creating a change, drafting a proposal, defining specs, designing, implementing tasks, and archiving. This structured process ensures complete project changes are managed properly.

You start drafting a proposal and defining specs by following the OpenSpec guided onboarding phases. The workflow demonstrates starting a change, writing specs, and implementing tasks step-by-step within your real project environment.

OpenSpec onboarding does not require external scaffolding because it uses a self-contained, frontmatter-driven curriculum. It includes optional resource directories for scripts, references, and assets to support learning without external dependencies.

OpenSpec onboarding applies to both individual developers and teams onboarding to real codebases. The guided workflow provides clear explanations and practical tasks suitable for solo engineers learning the complete change lifecycle.

A phase-based guide limits onboarding flexibility by enforcing a sequential workflow from preflight to archive. Users must follow the structured lifecycle of initialization, proposal drafting, spec definition, and implementation rather than skipping to specific tasks.