SKILL.md
Start a new change using the experimental artifact-driven approach.
Input: The user's request should include a change name (kebab-case) OR a description of what they want to build.
Steps
- 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.
- Determine the workflow schema
Use the default schema (omit --schema) unless the user explicitly requests a different workflow.
Use a different schema only if the user mentions: - "tdd" or "test-driven" → use --schema tdd - A specific schema name → use --schema <name> - "show workflows" or "what workflows" → run openspec schemas --json and let them choose
Otherwise: Omit --schema to use the default.
- Create the change directory
``bash openspec new change "<name>" ` Add --schema <name> only if the user requested a specific workflow. This creates a scaffolded change at openspec/changes/<name>/` with the selected schema.
- Show the artifact status
``bash openspec status --change "<name>" `` This shows which artifacts need to be created and which are ready (dependencies satisfied).
- Get instructions for the first artifact
The first artifact depends on the schema (e.g., proposal for spec-driven, spec for tdd). Check the status output to find the first artifact with status "ready". ``bash openspec instructions <first-artifact-id> --change "<name>" `` This outputs the template and context for creating the first artifact.
- STOP and wait for user direction
Output
After completing the steps, summarize:
- Change name and location
- Schema/workflow being used and its artifact sequence
- Current status (0/N artifacts complete)
- The template for the first artifact
- Prompt: "Ready to create the first artifact? Just describe what this change is about and I'll draft it, or ask me to
continue."
Guardrails
- Do NOT create any artifacts yet - just show the instructions
- Do NOT advance beyond showing the first artifact template
- If the name is invalid (not kebab-case), ask for a valid name
- If a change with that name already exists, suggest continuing that change instead
- Pass --schema if using a non-default workflow