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Spec-Driven Development

Makes the agent write a structured spec and get your approval before coding

Source Download skill
Repository
addyosmani/agent-skills
Stars
112,668
Licence
MIT
Files
1 file

What it does

When you ask for a new project, feature, or significant change, the agent first drafts a written specification covering the objective, commands, project structure, code style, testing approach, and boundaries, then pauses for your review at each stage before writing code. If your request bundles several separate capabilities, it first proposes a simple module map and build order for you to approve. The skill is meant to surface wrong assumptions early, before code is written.

Great for

  • Developers starting a new project or a larger feature who want requirements settled before coding
  • Teams drafting a PRD or requirements document with clear objectives and scope
  • People whose requirements are still vague and need the agent to ask clarifying questions

Skip it if

  • Small fixes, typos, or clearly defined single-file changes, where the skill explicitly says not to use it and it would only add overhead
  • Anyone expecting the agent to finish a whole project unattended, since the workflow deliberately stops for human review at every phase

Try asking

  • “Help me spec out a new user authentication feature before we write any code”
  • “I want to build a billing and notifications system; break it into modules and propose a build order first”
  • “Draft a PRD for our reporting dashboard with objectives, scope, and success criteria”
Step-by-step guide: how to use Spec-Driven DevelopmentInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 1 original files, the MIT licence and an attribution note.

    spec-driven-development.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip spec-driven-development.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip spec-driven-development.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Give the agent as much context as you can up front, such as your existing stack or schema, so it lists fewer wrong assumptions.
  • Review the surfaced assumptions carefully; the skill asks you to correct them before it proceeds.
  • If your project already uses a spec tool such as OpenSpec, tell the agent so it keeps your existing format instead of creating a duplicate file.

What's inside

  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from addyosmani/agent-skills under the MIT licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.