spec-sync

name	spec-sync
description	Keep markdown module specs in specs/<module>/ synchronized with source code using spec-sync. Use this whenever creating, editing, or reviewing code in a module that has (or should have) a spec, or whenever the user mentions specs, spec-sync, companion files (tasks.md/requirements.md/context.md/testing.md/design.md), or asks to add/update a module's documentation.

Spec-Sync Workflow

This project uses spec-sync for bidirectional spec-to-code validation. Specs live in specs/<module>/<module>.spec.md.

Companion files

Each canonical spec may have policy-selected companion files. Read and update the ones present; do not create empty companions only for ceremony:

• tasks.md — Work items for this module. Check off tasks (- [x]) as you complete them. Add new tasks if you discover work needed.
• requirements.md — Acceptance criteria and user stories. These are permanent invariants, not tasks — do not check them off. Update if requirements change.
• context.md — Architectural decisions, key files, and current status. Update when you make design decisions or change what's in progress.
• testing.md — Test strategy: automated test locations, manual QA checklists, and edge cases/boundary conditions.
• design.md (opt-in) — Layout, component hierarchy, design tokens, and asset references. Present when companions.design is enabled in config.

Verified SDD change lifecycle (5.0)

For every meaningful source, test, public documentation, schema, or configuration change:

1. Run specsync change new "<intent>" --json and conduct the returned interview with the user.
2. Use specsync change answer <id> <question-id> <answer> --json until no questions remain.
3. Complete the adaptively selected artifacts and semantic deltas. Requirements use stable REQ-<module>-<number> IDs, a normative SHALL statement, and acceptance criteria.
4. Ask the user for the definition approval, then run specsync change approve <id>.
5. Run specsync change start <id> before editing implementation code.
6. Keep tasks and artifacts current, then run specsync change verify <id>.
7. Present verification evidence and ask for closing approval. Only after explicit approval, run specsync change accept <id>; archive separately with specsync change archive <id>.

Never invent or self-grant either human approval. If an approved definition changes, its digest becomes stale and must be approved again. specsync check validates canonical specs plus approved active deltas, requirement-to-test evidence, change coverage, and CI gates.

Before modifying any module

1. Read the relevant spec in specs/<module>/<module>.spec.md
2. Read whichever companion files are present (requirements.md, tasks.md, context.md, testing.md, design.md, or project-defined files)
3. After changes, run specsync check to verify specs still pass

After completing work

1. Mark completed items in tasks.md — check off finished tasks, add new ones discovered
2. Update context.md — record decisions made, update current status
3. If requirements changed, update requirements.md acceptance criteria
4. If test coverage changed, update testing.md with new test files or edge cases
5. If UI/layout changed, update design.md with revised layout, components, or tokens

Before creating a PR

Run specsync check --strict — all specs must pass with zero warnings.

When adding new modules

Run specsync scaffold <module-name> to create a spec, companion files, a registry entry, and auto-detected source files — or specsync new <module-name> for a minimal spec-only draft. Complete the spec before writing code. The /specsync:create-spec command (or tool-equivalent) runs this for you, and accepts either a bare module name or a natural-language feature description (e.g. /specsync:create-spec "I want a feature that lets users export their data as CSV") — pass a description and it will pick a module name and use the description to draft the spec's Purpose and Invariants plus its companion requirements.md.

Key commands

• specsync check — validate all specs against source code
• specsync check --json — machine-readable validation output
• specsync coverage — show which modules lack specs
• specsync score — quality score for each spec (0-100)
• specsync scaffold <name> — full scaffold: spec + companions + registry entry + source detection
• specsync new <name> — quick-create a minimal spec (add --full for companions)
• specsync resolve --remote — verify cross-project dependencies