spec-driven-workflow

Productivity

Use when starting a non-trivial feature or change — align on WHAT before HOW by recording a proposal, requirement deltas, and a task checklist with the `spec` tool, then archive to fold the change into the living specs.

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Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/dirge-code/dirge/blob/HEAD/skills/spec-driven-workflow/SKILL.md

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Spec-Driven Workflow

Overview

For anything bigger than a quick fix, agree on what to build before writing how. The spec tool tracks this in the project's SQLite store: living specs (capability → requirement → scenario) are the current truth; a change carries requirement deltas plus a task checklist, and archiving folds the deltas into the living specs.

Core principle: specs first, code second. A requirement without a scenario isn't a spec — it's a wish.

When to use

A new feature, a behavior change, or a refactor that changes contracts.
Skip it for typo fixes, one-line bugfixes, and pure mechanical edits.

The loop

Research existing specs. spec(action: "specs") to list capabilities, spec(action: "specs", capability: "<name>") to read current requirements. Don't re-propose what already exists.

Propose. Create the change:

spec(action: "propose", slug: "add-dark-mode",
     why: "users want a low-light option",
     what: "theme toggle + persisted preference")

slug is kebab-case and unique. The change becomes active.

Record requirement deltas — one per requirement the change touches:
```
spec(action: "add_delta", slug: "add-dark-mode",
     op: "added", capability: "theming", requirement: "User can toggle theme",
     text: "The system SHALL persist the chosen theme across sessions.",
     scenarios: [{name: "toggle", when_then: "WHEN the user flips the toggle THEN the theme switches and is saved"}])
```
- op: added (new), modified (changed behavior — include the FULL new text + scenarios), removed (include reason + migration), renamed (set rename_to).
- Use SHALL/MUST in requirement text. Every added/modified requirement needs at least one scenario in WHEN/THEN form.

Break down the work. Add tasks (auto-sequenced within a group):

spec(action: "add_task", slug: "add-dark-mode", text: "Add theme context provider")

Implement, tracking status. As you work:

spec(action: "set_task", task_id: 3, status: "in_progress")
spec(action: "set_task", task_id: 3, status: "done")

Use blocked when you hit a blocker; pause and surface it.

Check state anytime: spec(action: "status", slug: "add-dark-mode") for one change, or spec(action: "status") to list all.
Archive once every task is done. This folds the deltas into the living specs in one transaction and closes the change:
```
spec(action: "archive", slug: "add-dark-mode")
```
Archiving is refused while tasks are still open.

Notes

Keep the proposal's why short — motivation, not implementation. Put the technical approach in the design field via spec(action: "set_field", field: "design", ...) when the change is cross-cutting or has non-obvious trade-offs.
The living specs are the durable record. Treat each scenario as a testable case — it's what a future change (or test) checks against.