gh-arittr-spectacular/commands/spec.md

description

description
Generate a lean feature specification using brainstorming and the writing-specs skill

You are creating a feature specification.

Constitution Adherence

All specifications MUST follow: @docs/constitutions/current/

• architecture.md - Layer boundaries, project structure
• patterns.md - Mandatory patterns (next-safe-action, ts-pattern, etc.)
• schema-rules.md - Database design philosophy
• tech-stack.md - Approved libraries and versions
• testing.md - Testing requirements

Input

User will provide: /spectacular:spec {feature-description}

Example: /spectacular:spec magic link authentication with Auth.js

Workflow

Step 0: Generate Run ID

First action: Generate a unique run identifier for this spec.

# Generate 6-char hash from feature name + timestamp
TIMESTAMP=$(date +%s)
RUN_ID=$(echo "{feature-description}-$TIMESTAMP" | shasum -a 256 | head -c 6)
echo "RUN_ID: $RUN_ID"

CRITICAL: Execute this entire block as a single multi-line Bash tool call. The comment on the first line is REQUIRED - without it, command substitution $(...) causes parse errors.

Store for use in:

• Spec directory name: specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/
• Spec frontmatter metadata
• Plan generation
• Branch naming during execution

Announce: "Generated RUN_ID: {run-id} for tracking this spec run"

Step 0.5: Create Isolated Worktree

Announce: "Creating isolated worktree for this spec run..."

Create worktree for isolated development:

1. Create branch using git-spice:

   • Use using-git-spice skill to create branch {runId}-main from current branch
   • Branch name format: {runId}-main (e.g., abc123-main)

2. Create worktree:

   # Create worktree at .worktrees/{runId}-main/
   git worktree add .worktrees/${RUN_ID}-main ${RUN_ID}-main
   

3. Error handling:

   • If worktree already exists: "Worktree {runId}-main already exists. Remove it first with git worktree remove .worktrees/{runId}-main or use a different feature name."
   • If worktree creation fails: Report the git error details and exit

Working directory context:

• All subsequent file operations happen in .worktrees/{runId}-main/
• Brainstorming and spec generation occur in the worktree context
• Main repository working directory remains unchanged

Announce: "Worktree created at .worktrees/{runId}-main/ - all work will happen in isolation"

Step 0.5: Install Dependencies in Worktree

REQUIRED: Each worktree needs dependencies installed before work begins.

1. Check CLAUDE.md for setup commands:

   Look for this pattern in the project's CLAUDE.md:

   ## Development Commands
   
   ### Setup
   
   - **install**: `bun install`
   - **postinstall**: `npx prisma generate`
   

2. If setup commands found, run installation:

   # Navigate to worktree
   cd .worktrees/${RUN_ID}-main
   
   # Check if dependencies already installed (handles resume)
   if [ ! -d node_modules ]; then
     echo "Installing dependencies..."
     {install-command}  # From CLAUDE.md (e.g., bun install)
   
     # Run postinstall if defined
     if [ -n "{postinstall-command}" ]; then
       echo "Running postinstall (codegen)..."
       {postinstall-command}  # From CLAUDE.md (e.g., npx prisma generate)
     fi
   else
     echo "✅ Dependencies already installed"
   fi
   

3. If setup commands NOT found in CLAUDE.md:

   Error and instruct user:

   ❌ Setup Commands Required
   
   Worktrees need dependencies installed to run quality checks and codegen.
   
   Please add to your project's CLAUDE.md:
   
   ## Development Commands
   
   ### Setup
   
   - **install**: `bun install` (or npm install, pnpm install, etc.)
   - **postinstall**: `npx prisma generate` (optional - for codegen)
   
   Then re-run: /spectacular:spec {feature-description}
   

Announce: "Dependencies installed in worktree - ready for spec generation"

Step 1: Brainstorm Requirements

Context: All brainstorming happens in the context of the worktree (.worktrees/{runId}-main/)

Announce: "I'm brainstorming the design using Phases 1-3 (Understanding, Exploration, Design Presentation)."

Create TodoWrite checklist:

Brainstorming for Spec:
- [ ] Phase 1: Understanding (purpose, constraints, criteria)
- [ ] Phase 2: Exploration (2-3 approaches proposed)
- [ ] Phase 3: Design Presentation (design validated)
- [ ] Proceed to Step 2: Generate Specification

Phase 1: Understanding

Goal: Clarify scope, constraints, and success criteria.

1. Check current project state in working directory (note: we're in the worktree)
2. Read @docs/constitutions/current/ to understand constraints:
   • architecture.md - Layer boundaries
   • patterns.md - Mandatory patterns
   • tech-stack.md - Approved libraries
   • schema-rules.md - Database rules
3. Ask ONE question at a time to refine the idea
4. Use AskUserQuestion tool for multiple choice options
5. Gather: Purpose, constraints, success criteria

Constitution compliance:

• All architectural decisions must follow @docs/constitutions/current/architecture.md
• All pattern choices must follow @docs/constitutions/current/patterns.md
• All library selections must follow @docs/constitutions/current/tech-stack.md

Phase 2: Exploration

Goal: Propose and evaluate 2-3 architectural approaches.

1. Propose 2-3 different approaches that follow constitutional constraints
2. For each approach explain:
   • Core architecture (layers, patterns)
   • Trade-offs (complexity vs features)
   • Constitution compliance (which patterns used)
3. Use AskUserQuestion tool to present approaches as structured choices
4. Ask partner which approach resonates

Phase 3: Design Presentation

Goal: Present detailed design incrementally and validate.

1. Present design in 200-300 word sections
2. Cover: Architecture, components, data flow, error handling, testing
3. After each section ask: "Does this look right so far?" (open-ended)
4. Use open-ended questions for freeform feedback
5. Adjust design based on feedback

After Phase 3: Mark TodoWrite complete and proceed immediately to Step 2.

Step 2: Generate Specification

Announce: "I'm using the Writing Specs skill to create the specification."

Use the writing-specs skill to generate the spec document.

Task for writing-specs skill:

• Feature: {feature-description}
• Design context: {summary from brainstorming}
• RUN_ID: {run-id from Step 0}
• Output location: .worktrees/{run-id}-main/specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/spec.md
• Constitution: All design decisions must follow @docs/constitutions/current/
• Analyze codebase for task-specific context:
  • Existing files to modify
  • New files to create (with exact paths per @docs/constitutions/current/architecture.md)
  • Dependencies needed (must be in @docs/constitutions/current/tech-stack.md)
  • Schema changes required (following @docs/constitutions/current/schema-rules.md)
• Follow all Iron Laws:
  • Reference constitutions, don't duplicate
  • Link to SDK docs, don't embed examples
  • No implementation plans (that's /spectacular:plan's job)
  • Keep it lean (<300 lines)

Spec frontmatter must include:

---
runId: {run-id}
feature: {feature-slug}
created: {date}
status: draft
---

Step 2.5: Commit Spec to Worktree

After spec generation completes, commit the spec to the worktree branch:

cd .worktrees/${RUN_ID}-main
git add specs/
git commit -m "spec: add ${feature-slug} specification [${RUN_ID}]"

Announce: "Spec committed to {runId}-main branch in worktree"

Step 3: Architecture Quality Validation

CRITICAL: Before reporting completion, validate the spec against architecture quality standards.

Announce: "Validating spec against architecture quality standards..."

Read the generated spec and check against these dimensions:

3.1 Constitution Compliance

• Architecture: All components follow layer boundaries (@docs/constitutions/current/architecture.md)
  • Models → Services → Actions → UI (no layer violations)
  • Server/Client component boundaries respected
• Patterns: All mandatory patterns referenced (@docs/constitutions/current/patterns.md)
  • next-safe-action for server actions
  • ts-pattern for discriminated unions
  • Zod schemas for validation
  • routes.ts for navigation
• Schema: Database design follows rules (@docs/constitutions/current/schema-rules.md)
  • Proper indexing strategy
  • Naming conventions
  • Relationship patterns
• Tech Stack: All dependencies approved (@docs/constitutions/current/tech-stack.md)
  • No unapproved libraries
  • Correct versions specified
• Testing: Testing strategy defined (@docs/constitutions/current/testing.md)

3.2 Specification Quality (Iron Laws)

• No Duplication: Constitution rules referenced, not recreated
• No Code Examples: External docs linked, not embedded
• No Implementation Plans: Focus on WHAT/WHY, not HOW/WHEN
• Lean: Spec < 300 lines (if longer, likely duplicating constitutions)

3.3 Requirements Quality

• Completeness: All FRs and NFRs defined, no missing scenarios
• Clarity: All requirements unambiguous and specific (no "fast", "good", "better")
• Measurability: All requirements have testable acceptance criteria
• Consistency: No conflicts between sections
• Edge Cases: Boundary conditions and error handling addressed
• Dependencies: External dependencies and assumptions documented

3.4 Architecture Traceability

• File Paths: All new/modified files have exact paths per architecture.md
• Integration Points: How feature integrates with existing system clear
• Migration Impact: Schema changes and data migrations identified
• Security: Auth/authz requirements explicit

3.5 Surface Issues

If ANY checks fail, create .worktrees/{run-id}-main/specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/clarifications.md with:

# Clarifications Needed

## [Category: Constitution/Quality/Requirements/Architecture]

**Issue**: {What's wrong}
**Location**: {Spec section reference}
**Severity**: [BLOCKER/CRITICAL/MINOR]
**Question**: {What needs to be resolved}

Options:
- A: {Option with trade-offs}
- B: {Option with trade-offs}
- Custom: {User provides alternative}

Iteration limit: Maximum 3 validation cycles. If issues remain after 3 iterations, escalate to user with clarifications.md.

Step 4: Report Completion

IMPORTANT: After reporting completion, STOP HERE. Do not proceed to plan generation automatically. The user must review the spec and explicitly run /spectacular:plan when ready.

After validation passes OR clarifications documented, report to user:

If validation passed:

✅ Feature Specification Complete & Validated

RUN_ID: {run-id}
Worktree: .worktrees/{run-id}-main/
Branch: {run-id}-main
Location: .worktrees/{run-id}-main/specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/spec.md

Constitution Compliance: ✓
Architecture Quality: ✓
Requirements Quality: ✓

Note: Spec is in isolated worktree, main repo unchanged.

Next Steps (User Actions - DO NOT AUTO-EXECUTE):
1. Review the spec: .worktrees/{run-id}-main/specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/spec.md
2. When ready, create implementation plan: /spectacular:plan @.worktrees/{run-id}-main/specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/spec.md

If clarifications needed:

⚠️  Feature Specification Complete - Clarifications Needed

RUN_ID: {run-id}
Worktree: .worktrees/{run-id}-main/
Branch: {run-id}-main
Location: .worktrees/{run-id}-main/specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/spec.md
Clarifications: .worktrees/{run-id}-main/specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/clarifications.md

Note: Spec is in isolated worktree, main repo unchanged.

Next Steps:
1. Review spec: .worktrees/{run-id}-main/specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/spec.md
2. Answer clarifications: .worktrees/{run-id}-main/specs/{run-id}-{feature-slug}/clarifications.md
3. Once resolved, re-run: /spectacular:spec {feature-description}

Now generate the specification for: {feature-description}