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Create functional specification for complex features: detailed requirements, user scenarios, constraints, acceptance criteria. Bridges strategic intent and implementation with MoSCoW prioritization and Given/When/Then scenarios.
Execute a complete iteration cycle: planning → batch execution → documentation → review setup. Follows file-based orchestration with TDD/ATDD, work logs, and quality gates.
Delegate task to specialist agent when expertise required: Initialize as specialist (Planning Petra, Backend Benny, Architect Alphonso, etc.) OR spawn sub-agent if available. Use when task requires specialized knowledge in agent's core focus area.
Test-first bug fixing: Write failing test that reproduces bug → Fix code → Test passes. Systematic, verifiable approach prevents regression and wastes no time on trial-and-error deployments.
Architect Alphonso conducts rigorous code review and architecture-fit analysis: ADR compliance, test coverage, architectural patterns, security. Outputs review document with APPROVED/REDIRECT/BLOCKED status.
Mid-execution self-monitoring checkpoint (Ralph Wiggum Loop): Detect warning signs (drift, confusion, gold-plating), course-correct before completion. Mandatory at 25% progress and before delegation.
Assess current implementation state: pending tasks, active work, progress metrics, blockers, and next recommended batch. Provides Planning Petra's executive view.
| name | spec-create |
| description | Create functional specification for complex features: detailed requirements, user scenarios, constraints, acceptance criteria. Bridges strategic intent and implementation with MoSCoW prioritization and Given/When/Then scenarios. |
| version | 1.0.0 |
| type | specification |
| category | documentation |
Create comprehensive functional specifications for complex features before implementation. Specifications translate requirements into concrete implementation guidance while remaining independent of specific acceptance tests or architectural decisions.
Initialize as Scribe Sally or Analyst Annie to create a specification.
Identify scope:
docs/audience/)Gather requirements:
Write specification using template:
# Specification: [Feature Name]
**Status:** Draft
**Created:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Author:** [Agent Name]
**Stakeholders:** [Who needs to review/approve]
**Target Personas:** [List from docs/audience/]
---
## User Story
**As a** [persona]
**I want** [capability]
**So that** [benefit]
**Alternative: Acceptance Criterion Format**
**Given** [context]
**When** [action]
**Then** [outcome]
**Unless** [exception]
---
## Overview
Brief description of the feature (2-3 paragraphs):
- What problem does this solve?
- Why is it needed now?
- What constraints exist?
**Related Documentation:**
- Related ADRs: [links]
- Related Specifications: [links]
- Background: [context documents]
---
## Functional Requirements (MoSCoW)
### MUST Have (Critical - Feature unusable without these)
**FR-M1:** System MUST [requirement]
- **Rationale:** [Why this is critical]
- **Personas Affected:** [Primary users]
- **Success Criteria:** [How to verify]
**FR-M2:** System MUST [requirement]
...
### SHOULD Have (Important - Feature degraded without these)
**FR-S1:** System SHOULD [requirement]
- **Rationale:** [Why important]
- **Workaround if omitted:** [Alternative approach]
### COULD Have (Nice to have - Enhances experience)
**FR-C1:** System COULD [requirement]
- **Rationale:** [Why beneficial]
- **If omitted:** [Impact on users]
### WON'T Have (Explicitly out of scope)
**FR-W1:** [Feature/capability]
- **Rationale:** [Why excluded]
- **Future Consideration:** [When to revisit]
---
## Scenarios and Behavior
### Scenario 1: [Happy Path Name]
**Context:** [When this applies]
**Given:** [Initial state]
**And:** [Additional context]
**When:** [User action]
**And:** [Additional actions]
**Then:** [Expected outcome]
**And:** [Additional outcomes]
**Personas:** [Who this applies to]
**Priority:** MUST | SHOULD | COULD
---
### Scenario 2: [Error Case Name]
**Context:** [When this applies]
**Given:** [Initial state with error condition]
**When:** [User action]
**Then:** [Error handling outcome]
**And:** [System state after error]
**Personas:** [Who encounters this]
**Priority:** MUST | SHOULD
---
## Constraints and Business Rules
### Business Rules
**BR1:** [Rule statement]
- **Applies to:** [Which scenarios]
- **Enforcement:** [How validated]
**BR2:** [Rule statement]
...
### Technical Constraints
**TC1:** [Constraint description]
- **Measurement:** [How to verify]
- **Rationale:** [Why this constraint exists]
### Non-Functional Requirements (MoSCoW)
**NFR-M1 (MUST):** [Requirement]
- **Example:** [Concrete example]
- **Measurement:** [Metrics]
- **Verification:** [Testing approach]
---
## Open Questions
### Unresolved Requirements
- [ ] **Q1:** [Question about requirements]
- **Assigned to:** [Who will answer]
- **Target Date:** [When needed]
- **Blocking:** [What can't proceed without answer]
### Design Decisions Needed
- [ ] **D1:** [Decision point]
- **Options:** (A) ..., (B) ..., (C) ...
- **Decision Maker:** [Who decides]
- **Context:** [Why decision needed]
### Clarifications Required
- [ ] **C1:** [What needs clarification]
- **Who to ask:** [Stakeholder]
- **Why it matters:** [Impact on implementation]
---
## Out of Scope
**Explicitly NOT included in this specification:**
1. **[Feature/capability]**
- **Reason:** [Why excluded]
- **Future:** [When/if to consider]
---
## Acceptance Criteria Summary
**This feature is DONE when:**
- [ ] All MUST requirements (FR-M*) implemented and verified
- [ ] All SHOULD requirements (FR-S*) implemented OR documented workarounds exist
- [ ] All MUST scenarios pass acceptance tests
- [ ] All business rules (BR*) enforced in code
- [ ] All technical constraints (TC*) met and verified
- [ ] Open questions resolved or documented for future iterations
- [ ] Acceptance tests derived from scenarios are passing
- [ ] Documentation updated
- [ ] Target personas have validated feature meets their needs
---
## Traceability
### Derives From (Strategic)
- **Strategic Goal:** [High-level objective]
- **User Need:** [Problem being solved]
- **Related ADRs:** [Architecture decisions]
### Feeds Into (Tactical)
- **Acceptance Tests:** [Test files/scenarios]
- **Implementation Tasks:** [Task IDs or files]
- **API Documentation:** [API specs or contracts]
### Related Specifications
- **Dependencies:** [Specs that must be complete first]
- **Dependents:** [Specs that depend on this one]
- **Cross-References:** [Related features]
---
## Approval
### Reviewers
| Role | Name | Date | Status | Comments |
|------|------|------|--------|----------|
| Implementer | [Agent] | - | ⏳ Pending | - |
| Architect | Alphonso | - | ⏳ Pending | - |
| Target Persona | [Name] | - | ⏳ Pending | - |
| Stakeholder | [Name] | - | ⏳ Pending | - |
### Sign-Off
**Final Approval:**
- **Date:** [When approved]
- **Approved By:** [Authority]
- **Status:** Draft | Approved | Implemented
---
## Metadata
**Tags:** `#feature-spec` `#[domain]` `#[milestone]`
**Related Files:**
- Template: `docs/templates/specifications/feature-spec-template.md`
- Persona: [Links to persona documents]
- ADR: [Links to relevant ADRs]
- Tests: [Links to test files]
**Navigation:**
- Previous Spec: [Link]
- Next Spec: [Link]
- Parent Spec: [Link if hierarchical]
Location:
specifications/[domain]/[feature-name].mdReview cycle:
| Document Type | Purpose | When | Lifecycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specification | Detailed functional requirements | Complex features | Living (evolves during dev) |
| ADR (Directive 018) | Architectural decision rationale | Significant tech choices | Immutable once accepted |
| Acceptance Test (Directive 016) | Executable behavioral contract | All user-facing features | Frozen once passing |
Use all three together:
User: We need to implement a real-time execution dashboard for the LLM service
Agent (Scribe Sally): Creating specification...
1. Identified scope:
- Feature: Real-Time Execution Dashboard
- Personas: Software Engineer (primary), Cost-Conscious Developer
- Related ADRs: ADR-032 (dashboard architecture)
2. Gathered requirements:
- MUST: Real-time task updates via WebSocket (<100ms latency)
- MUST: Cost tracking (today/month/total)
- MUST: File-based task tracking (preserve Git audit trail)
- SHOULD: Metrics visualization (charts)
- COULD: Task filtering by agent
3. Created specification:
- Location: specifications/llm-dashboard/real-time-execution-dashboard.md
- Format: MoSCoW requirements (8 MUST, 5 SHOULD, 4 COULD, 4 WON'T)
- Scenarios: 6 scenarios (4 happy path, 2 error cases)
- Constraints: WebSocket latency <100ms, localhost-only
- Traceability: Links to ADR-032, telemetry API, task files
4. Status: DRAFT → awaiting stakeholder review
Next steps:
- Review with Human-in-Charge (stakeholder)
- Architect review (ADR alignment check)
- Approve and mark ready for implementation
- Derive acceptance tests from scenarios
Before Implementation:
1. /spec-create ← Create specification
2. Review with stakeholders
3. Architect review (ADR alignment)
4. Approve specification
5. /iterate ← Implement using spec as guide
During Implementation:
- Refer to spec for requirements
- Update spec if understanding evolves
- Derive acceptance tests from scenarios
- Link implementation tasks to spec sections
After Implementation:
- Mark spec status: Implemented
- Freeze spec (becomes reference doc)
- Archive in specifications/ directory
/iterate - Implement features defined in specifications/review - Architect reviews spec for ADR alignmentarchitect-adr - Create ADR for architectural decisionstarget-audience-fit - Validate spec addresses target personas.github/agents/directives/034_spec_driven_development.md.github/agents/approaches/spec-driven-development.mddocs/templates/specifications/feature-spec-template.md.github/agents/directives/016_acceptance_test_driven_development.md (ATDD).github/agents/directives/018_traceable_decisions.md (ADRs).github/agents/directives/022_audience_oriented_writing.md (Target personas)