Individual skill

write-spec

Break large features into independently verifiable, human-reviewable slices under a feature directory in specs/. Use for risky or multi-step feature work that needs upfront questioning, API seams, browser-playable checkpoints, HTML visualizations, screenshot gates, staged implementation plans, recursive fog-of-war reslicing, or proactive research into reference implementations/best practices before slicing. Pairs with your project's verification harness and screenshot gates (the browser checkpoints), [refactor-clean](../refactor-clean/SKILL.md) (review the materialized spec so the plan describes one-owner architecture, not the feature bolted on), [screenshot-critique](../../visual/screenshot-critique/SKILL.md) and [compare-screenshots](../../visual/compare-screenshots/SKILL.md) (the visual gates), and a code-review pass (audit each slice before it lands).

skills/engineering/write-spec/SKILL.md

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Last checked: Nov 9, 2026

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Repository stars (not skill ratings): 1,470
Repository last updated: Nov 8, 2026
License: MIT

Observed agent integration: No specific integration evidence. Standard SKILL.md installation does not imply verified compatibility.

agent-skills Repository topic
ai-agents Repository topic
autonomous-agents Repository topic
autoresearch Repository topic
claude-code Repository topic
code-review Repository topic
codex Repository topic
developer-tools Repository topic
software-engineering Repository topic
spec-driven-development Repository topic
engineering Derived category
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SKILL.mdcore · 18,672 bytes
SKILL.mdcore · 18,672 bytes

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# Write Spec

Turn a large feature into a ladder of small contracts. Each rung should be
understandable to the human, testable by an agent, and useful before the
whole feature is done.

## First Principles

1. **Grill before planning.** Ask one question at a time until you know the
   desired outcome, non-goals, review surface, sacred contracts, missing
   assets, and first useful playable checkpoint. Give your recommended
   answer with each question so the user can accept, reject, or edit it.
   Inspect the repo instead of asking questions the code can answer.
   Close the interview by asking whether the plan must carry backward