spec-driven-development

Creates structured specifications before coding through a gated four-phase workflow.

1|Updated May 29, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/memasanz/agent-harness --skill spec-driven-development-memasanz
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: spec-driven-development
Source: https://github.com/memasanz/agent-harness/tree/main/.github/skills/spec-driven-development
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/memasanz/agent-harness --skill spec-driven-development-memasanz

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Starting to code without clear requirements leads to rework, misaligned expectations, and architectural decisions made on the fly. This Skill enforces writing a reviewed specification before any implementation begins, surfacing assumptions and ambiguities early. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Gated Four-Phase Workflow: Progresses through Specify, Plan, Tasks, and Implement phases, each requiring human review before advancing. - Six-Area Spec Template: Covers objective, commands, project structure, code style, testing strategy, and boundaries (Always/Ask First/Never rules). - Assumption Surfacing: Forces explicit listing of assumptions and reframes vague requirements into testable success criteria. - Use Case: When asked to build a new feature with only a vague description, use this Skill to interview the stakeholder, produce a spec document with acceptance criteria, break it into dependency-ordered tasks, and only then begin implementation. ## Quick Start Ask the agent to write a specification for your new feature before writing any code, covering objectives, tech stack, testing strategy, and success criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions about spec-driven-development

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I write a software specification before coding?

Write a spec covering six areas: objective, commands, project structure, code style, testing strategy, and boundaries. List your assumptions explicitly, get human review and approval, then break the spec into a plan and dependency-ordered tasks before implementing.

What is spec-driven development?

Spec-driven development is a workflow where a written specification is the source of truth before coding begins. It uses gated phases (Specify, Plan, Tasks, Implement) with human review at each gate to prevent rework from misunderstood requirements.

When should I skip writing a spec?

Skip the full spec process for single-line fixes, typo corrections, or changes where requirements are unambiguous and self-contained. Even simple tasks benefit from a two-line spec with acceptance criteria, but the full gated workflow is unnecessary.

How do I turn vague requirements into acceptance criteria?

Reframe vague requests as specific, measurable success criteria. For example, convert "make the dashboard faster" into targets like LCP under 2.5 seconds on 4G and initial data load under 500ms, then confirm those targets with the stakeholder.

Why does coding without a spec cause rework?

Without a spec, implicit assumptions about requirements, architecture, and scope go unchecked until code review or delivery. A short spec surfaces misunderstandings before implementation, when correcting them costs minutes instead of hours of rewriting.