openspec-apply-change

name	openspec-apply-change
description	Implement tasks from an OpenSpec change. Use when the user wants to start implementing, continue implementation, or work through tasks.
license	MIT
compatibility	Requires openspec CLI.
metadata	{"author":"openspec","version":"1.0","generatedBy":"1.0.2"}

Implement tasks from an OpenSpec change.

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. Select the change

   If a name is provided, use it. Otherwise:

   • Infer from conversation context if the user mentioned a change
   • Auto-select if only one active change exists
   • If ambiguous, run openspec list --json to get available changes and use the AskUserQuestion tool to let the user select

   Always announce: "Using change: " and how to override (e.g., /opsx:apply <other>).

2. Check status to understand the schema

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

   Parse the JSON to understand:

   • schemaName: The workflow being used (e.g., "spec-driven")
   • Which artifact contains the tasks (typically "tasks" for spec-driven, check status for others)

3. Get apply instructions

   openspec instructions apply --change "<name>" --json
   

   This returns:

   • Context file paths (varies by schema - could be proposal/specs/design/tasks or spec/tests/implementation/docs)
   • Progress (total, complete, remaining)
   • Task list with status
   • Dynamic instruction based on current state

   Handle states:

   • If state: "blocked" (missing artifacts): show message, suggest using openspec-continue-change
   • If state: "all_done": congratulate, suggest archive
   • Otherwise: proceed to implementation

4. Read context files

   Read the files listed in contextFiles from the apply instructions output. The files depend on the schema being used:

   • spec-driven: proposal, specs, design, tasks
   • Other schemas: follow the contextFiles from CLI output

5. Show current progress

   Display:

   • Schema being used
   • Progress: "N/M tasks complete"
   • Remaining tasks overview
   • Dynamic instruction from CLI

6. Implement tasks (loop until done or blocked)

   For each pending task:

   • Show which task is being worked on
   • Identify task type:
     • Code implementation task: Make the code changes required
     • Test/Verification task: Run the test command or verification step
     • Manual task: Guide user through manual steps
   • Keep changes minimal and focused
   • Mark task complete in the tasks file: - [ ] → - [x]
   • Continue to next task

   Special handling for test/verification tasks:

   • Task 5.1 (E2E Tests): Run the test command specified in the task
     • If command is <!-- project-specific test command -->, ask user for the actual command
     • Execute tests and verify they pass
     • If tests fail, report failures and pause for user guidance
   • Task 7.1 (Real DB Tests): Run tests with real database
     • Execute the test command
     • Verify all scenarios from spec.md are covered
   • Task 7.2 (Drift Check): Perform automated drift check
     • Verify OpenAPI schema matches spec.md
     • Compare response structures
     • Calculate drift rate (must be < 1%)
     • Report any drift issues
   • Task 3.2, 7.1: These are verification tasks - actually run the verification steps

   Pause if:

   • Task is unclear → ask for clarification
   • Implementation reveals a design issue → suggest updating artifacts
   • Error or blocker encountered → report and wait for guidance
   • Test failures → report and wait for user to fix
   • User interrupts

7. On completion or pause, show status

   Display:

   • Tasks completed this session
   • Overall progress: "N/M tasks complete"
   • If all done: suggest archive
   • If paused: explain why and wait for guidance

Output During Implementation

## Implementing: <change-name> (schema: <schema-name>)

Working on task 3/7: <task description>
[...implementation happening...]
✓ Task complete

Working on task 4/7: <task description>
[...implementation happening...]
✓ Task complete

Output On Completion

## Implementation Complete

**Change:** <change-name>
**Schema:** <schema-name>
**Progress:** 7/7 tasks complete ✓

### Completed This Session
- [x] Task 1
- [x] Task 2
...

All tasks complete! Ready to archive this change.

Output On Pause (Issue Encountered)

## Implementation Paused

**Change:** <change-name>
**Schema:** <schema-name>
**Progress:** 4/7 tasks complete

### Issue Encountered
<description of the issue>

**Options:**
1. <option 1>
2. <option 2>
3. Other approach

What would you like to do?

Guardrails

• Keep going through tasks until done or blocked
• Always read context files before starting (from the apply instructions output)
• If task is ambiguous, pause and ask before implementing
• If implementation reveals issues, pause and suggest artifact updates
• Keep code changes minimal and scoped to each task
• Update task checkbox immediately after completing each task
• For test/verification tasks: Actually run the tests/checks, don't just mark as done
• For tasks with placeholders (like <!-- project-specific test command -->): Ask user for actual values
• Pause on errors, blockers, or unclear requirements - don't guess
• Pause on test failures - report and wait for user to fix
• Use contextFiles from CLI output, don't assume specific file names

Task Type Detection

Recognize task types from task descriptions:

• Code implementation: Contains "Implement", "Create", "Update", "Add"
• Test task: Contains "Run Tests", "Test", "Verify", "E2E", "Contract Testing"
• Verification task: Contains "Verify", "Check", "Audit", "Drift Check"
• Manual task: Contains "Run", "Execute" with command placeholders

For test/verification tasks:

1. Extract the test command if specified
2. If command is a placeholder, ask user for actual command
3. Run the command
4. Verify results
5. Mark complete only if tests pass or verification succeeds

Fluid Workflow Integration

This skill supports the "actions on a change" model:

• Can be invoked anytime: Before all artifacts are done (if tasks exist), after partial implementation, interleaved with other actions
• Allows artifact updates: If implementation reveals design issues, suggest updating artifacts - not phase-locked, work fluidly