openspec-explore

Explores ideas, investigates codebases, and clarifies requirements through conversational analysis with ASCII diagrams.

6|7|Updated Jun 4, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/nodesource/nsolid-plugin --skill openspec-explore-nodesource
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: openspec-explore
Source: https://github.com/nodesource/nsolid-plugin/tree/main/.opencode/skills/openspec-explore
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/nodesource/nsolid-plugin --skill openspec-explore-nodesource

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Teams often jump into implementation before fully understanding a problem, leading to rework and misaligned requirements. This Skill provides a dedicated thinking mode where you can investigate ideas, map existing architecture, and compare options before committing to a change proposal. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Codebase Investigation: Reads files, maps architecture, finds integration points, and surfaces hidden complexity relevant to your discussion. - Visual Thinking: Generates ASCII diagrams for state machines, data flows, dependency graphs, and comparison tables to clarify complex topics. - OpenSpec Integration: Checks active changes via the openspec CLI, reads existing proposals and specs, and offers to capture decisions into design.md, specs, or tasks.md. - Use Case: Before adding real-time collaboration to your app, use explore mode to map the collaboration spectrum (presence, cursors, CRDTs), examine your current architecture, and decide which approach fits before writing a proposal. ## Quick Start Ask the assistant to enter explore mode and think through whether Postgres or SQLite fits your CLI tool before creating a change proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions about openspec-explore

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I explore a software idea before implementing it?▼

Enter explore mode and describe your idea or problem. The assistant investigates your codebase, draws ASCII diagrams of relevant architecture, compares options, and helps crystallize requirements before you create a formal change proposal.

What is OpenSpec explore mode used for?▼

Explore mode is a thinking stance for investigating problems and clarifying requirements without implementing code. It can read files, search code, and create OpenSpec artifacts like proposals and specs, but never writes application code.

Can explore mode write code or implement features?▼

No, explore mode explicitly never writes code or implements features. It may create OpenSpec artifacts such as proposals, designs, and specs to capture decisions, but implementation requires exiting explore mode first.

Does openspec-explore require the openspec CLI?▼

Yes, the skill requires the openspec CLI to check active changes with commands like openspec list and openspec status. Without it, the conversational exploration still works, but change-aware context and artifact capture are unavailable.

When should I use explore mode versus creating a change proposal directly?▼

Use explore mode when the problem is vague, options are unclear, or you are stuck mid-implementation. Create a proposal directly once the approach is crystallized; explore mode can offer to create one when thinking solidifies.