openspec-continue-change

name	openspec-continue-change
description	Continue working on an OpenSpec change by creating the next artifact. Use when the user wants to progress their change, create the next artifact, or continue their workflow.

Continue working on a change by creating the next artifact.

When to Use

• User says "continue", "next", "create the next artifact"
• User wants to create proposal, specs, design, or tasks
• User is working on an existing change and wants to progress

Input: Optionally specify a change name. If omitted, check if it can be inferred from conversation context. If vague or ambiguous you MUST prompt for available changes.

Steps

1. If no change name provided, prompt for selection

   List available changes:

   python .agents/openspec_kit.py list
   

   Ask the user to select which change to work on. Show:

   • Change name
   • Schema (e.g., "spec-driven")
   • Status (e.g., "1/4 artifacts")
   • Recommendation: Mark the most recently modified change as "(Recommended)"

   IMPORTANT: Do NOT guess or auto-select a change. Always let the user choose.

2. Check current status

   python .agents/openspec_kit.py status "<name>"
   

   Parse the JSON to understand:

   • schemaName: The workflow schema being used
   • artifacts: Array of artifacts with their status ("done", "ready", "blocked")
   • isComplete: Boolean indicating if all artifacts are complete

3. Act based on status:

   ---

   If all artifacts are complete (isComplete: true):

   • Congratulate the user
   • Show final status
   • Suggest: "All artifacts created! You can now implement this change using openspec-apply-change or archive it."
   • STOP

   ---

   If artifacts are ready to create (status shows artifacts with status: "ready"):

   • Pick the FIRST artifact with status: "ready" from the status output
   • Get its instructions:

     python .agents/openspec_kit.py instructions <artifact-id> "<name>"
     

   • Parse the JSON. Key fields:
     • context: Project background from dependencies (read these for context)
     • template: The structure to use for your output file
     • instruction: Schema-specific guidance
     • outputPath: Where to write the artifact
     • dependencies: Completed artifacts to read for context
   • Create the artifact file:
     • Read any completed dependency files for context
     • Use template as the structure - fill in its sections
     • Write to the output path specified
   • Show what was created and what's now unlocked
   • STOP after creating ONE artifact

   ---

   If no artifacts are ready (all blocked):

   • This shouldn't happen with a valid schema
   • Show status and suggest checking for issues

4. After creating an artifact, show progress

   python .agents/openspec_kit.py status "<name>"
   

Output

After each invocation, show:

• Which artifact was created
• Schema workflow being used
• Current progress (N/M complete)
• What artifacts are now unlocked
• Prompt: "Want to continue? Just ask me to continue or tell me what to do next."

Artifact Creation Guidelines

The artifact types and their purpose depend on the schema:

spec-driven schema (proposal → specs → design → tasks):

• proposal.md: Ask user about the change if not clear. Fill in Why, What Changes, Capabilities, Impact.
  • The Capabilities section is critical - each capability listed will need a spec file.
• specs//spec.md: Create one spec per capability listed in the proposal's Capabilities section (use the capability name, not the change name).
• design.md: Document technical decisions, architecture, and implementation approach.
• tasks.md: Break down implementation into checkboxed tasks.

For other schemas, follow the instruction field from the output.

Guardrails

• Create ONE artifact per invocation
• Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one
• Never skip artifacts or create out of order
• If context is unclear, ask the user before creating
• Verify the artifact file exists after writing before marking progress
• Use the schema's artifact sequence, don't assume specific artifact names