openspec-propose

name	openspec-propose
description	Propose a new change with all artifacts generated in one step. Use when the user wants to quickly describe what they want to build and get a complete proposal with design, specs, and tasks ready for implementation.
license	MIT
compatibility	Requires openspec CLI.
metadata	{"author":"openspec","version":"1.0","generatedBy":"1.2.0"}

Propose a new change - create the change and generate all artifacts in one step.

I'll create a change with artifacts:

• proposal.md (what & why)
• design.md (how)
• tasks.md (implementation steps)

When ready to implement, run /opsx-apply

---

Input: The user's request should include a change name (kebab-case) OR a description of what they want to build.

Steps

1. If no clear input provided, ask what they want to build

   Use the AskUserQuestion tool (open-ended, no preset options) to ask:

   "What change do you want to work on? Describe what you want to build or fix."

   From their description, derive a kebab-case name (e.g., "add user authentication" → add-user-auth).

   IMPORTANT: Do NOT proceed without understanding what the user wants to build.

2. Create the change directory

   openspec new change "<name>"
   

   This creates a scaffolded change at openspec/changes/<name>/ with .openspec.yaml.

2a. Create and checkout a branch

```bash
git checkout -b opsx/<name>
```

**Guard**: Before creating the branch, check the current branch:
- If already on `opsx/<name>` (exact match): skip branch creation, proceed.
- If on a different `opsx/*` branch: **STOP** with error: "Already on branch `opsx/<other>` -- finish or archive that change first."
- If on `main` or any non-opsx branch: create and checkout `opsx/<name>`.

2b. Retrieve context from Dewey

Before drafting the proposal, query Dewey for relevant context:

- `dewey_semantic_search` with the change description to find related specs, past proposals, and similar changes
- `dewey_semantic_search_filtered` with `source_type: "github"` to find related issues across the organization
- `dewey_traverse` on any discovered related specs to understand dependencies

Use the retrieved context to inform the proposal's scope, identify potential conflicts with existing work, and reference relevant prior decisions.

If Dewey is unavailable, proceed without cross-repo context -- use direct file reads of local specs and backlog items instead.

**Dewey Availability Tiers**

Adjust context retrieval based on Dewey availability:

**Tier 3 (Full Dewey)**: Use `dewey_semantic_search`, `dewey_search`, `dewey_traverse`, and `dewey_semantic_search_filtered` for comprehensive cross-repo and toolstack context.

**Tier 2 (Graph-only, no embedding model)**: Use `dewey_search` and `dewey_traverse` for keyword-based and structural queries. Semantic search is unavailable.

**Tier 1 (No Dewey)**: Fall back to direct file operations:
- Use the Read tool to read local specs, backlog items, and convention packs
- Use the Grep tool for keyword search across the codebase
- Reference `.opencode/unbound/packs/` for coding standards

All tiers produce valid results. Higher tiers provide richer cross-repo context but are never required.

3. Get the artifact build order

openspec status --change "<name>" --json

Parse the JSON to get:

• applyRequires: array of artifact IDs needed before implementation (e.g., ["tasks"])
• artifacts: list of all artifacts with their status and dependencies

4. Create artifacts in sequence until apply-ready

   Use the TodoWrite tool to track progress through the artifacts.

   Loop through artifacts in dependency order (artifacts with no pending dependencies first):

   a. For each artifact that is ready (dependencies satisfied):

   • Get instructions:

     openspec instructions <artifact-id> --change "<name>" --json
     

   • The instructions JSON includes:
     • context: Project background (constraints for you - do NOT include in output)
     • rules: Artifact-specific rules (constraints for you - do NOT include in output)
     • template: The structure to use for your output file
     • instruction: Schema-specific guidance for this artifact type
     • outputPath: Where to write the artifact
     • dependencies: Completed artifacts to read for context
   • Read any completed dependency files for context
   • Create the artifact file using template as the structure
   • Apply context and rules as constraints - but do NOT copy them into the file
   • Show brief progress: "Created "

   b. Continue until all applyRequires artifacts are complete

   • After creating each artifact, re-run openspec status --change "<name>" --json
   • Check if every artifact ID in applyRequires has status: "done" in the artifacts array
   • Stop when all applyRequires artifacts are done

   c. If an artifact requires user input (unclear context):

   • Use AskUserQuestion tool to clarify
   • Then continue with creation

5. Show final status

   openspec status --change "<name>"
   

Output

After completing all artifacts, summarize:

• Change name and location
• List of artifacts created with brief descriptions
• What's ready: "All artifacts created! Ready for implementation."
• Prompt: "Run /opsx-apply or ask me to implement to start working on the tasks."

Artifact Creation Guidelines

• Follow the instruction field from openspec instructions for each artifact type
• The schema defines what each artifact should contain - follow it
• Read dependency artifacts for context before creating new ones
• Use template as the structure for your output file - fill in its sections
• IMPORTANT: context and rules are constraints for YOU, not content for the file
  • Do NOT copy <context>, <rules>, <project_context> blocks into the artifact
  • These guide what you write, but should never appear in the output

Guardrails

• Create ALL artifacts needed for implementation (as defined by schema's apply.requires)
• Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one
• If context is critically unclear, ask the user - but prefer making reasonable decisions to keep momentum
• If a change with that name already exists, ask if user wants to continue it or create a new one
• Verify each artifact file exists after writing before proceeding to next