spec-driven-development

Creates structured specifications through a gated specify-plan-tasks-implement workflow before coding.

Updated Apr 21, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/alissonpef/copilot_agent_skills --skill spec-driven-development-alissonpef
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: spec-driven-development
Source: https://github.com/alissonpef/copilot_agent_skills/tree/main/.github/skills/spec-driven-development
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/alissonpef/copilot_agent_skills --skill spec-driven-development-alissonpef

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Starting to code from vague or ambiguous requirements leads to rework, misaligned implementations, and undocumented architectural decisions. This Skill enforces writing a validated specification before any code, so both the human and the AI share a single source of truth about what is being built and how success is measured. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Four-Phase Gated Workflow: Progresses through Specify, Plan, Tasks, and Implement phases, each requiring human review before advancing. - Structured Spec Template: Covers six core areas including objective, commands, project structure, code style, testing strategy, and Always/Ask First/Never boundaries. - Assumption Surfacing & Success Criteria: Forces explicit listing of assumptions and reframes vague requirements like "make it faster" into testable conditions such as LCP under 2.5 seconds. - Use Case: When asked to build a new dashboard feature with only a rough idea, 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 create a specification for your new feature using the spec-driven-development workflow before writing any code.

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?▼

Start by listing your assumptions explicitly, then document six core areas: objective, commands, project structure, code style, testing strategy, and boundaries. Have a human review and approve the spec before moving to planning and implementation.

What is spec-driven development in software engineering?▼

Spec-driven development is a workflow where a written specification serves as the shared source of truth before coding begins. It progresses through gated phases of specifying, planning, task breakdown, and implementation, each validated by human review.

When should I not use a specification workflow?▼

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 lengthy documents are unnecessary.

How do I turn vague requirements into testable acceptance criteria?▼

Reframe each vague requirement into specific measurable conditions. For example, convert "make the dashboard faster" into targets like LCP under 2.5 seconds on 4G and initial data load under 500 milliseconds, then confirm the targets with stakeholders.

How should tasks be broken down from an implementation plan?▼

Break the plan into tasks completable in a single focused session, each with explicit acceptance criteria and a verification step such as a test command or build. Order tasks by dependency and keep each task under roughly five changed files.