openspec-propose

Propose OpenSpec Change

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

---

Store selection: If the user names a store (a store is a standalone OpenSpec repo registered on this machine) or the work lives in one, run openspec store list --json to discover registered store ids, then pass --store <id> on the commands that read or write specs and changes (new change, status, instructions, list, show, validate, archive, doctor, context). Other commands do not take the flag. Hints printed by commands already carry the flag; keep it on follow-ups. Without a store, commands act on the nearest local openspec/ root.

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. Check for existing prototypes

   Before creating the change directory, check docs/prototypes/ for HTML files matching the change name (e.g., <change-name>-*.html):

   • If found: Read the prototype HTML files — they are the design source-of-truth from explore. These will be referenced in the prototype artifact with retention decision pending; retention is finalized only after implementation.
   • If not found and the change involves UI: STOP proposal artifact generation. Load prototype-workflow, generate and browser-validate a self-contained HTML prototype in docs/prototypes/, then continue. A text-only visual direction or user preference to skip MUST NOT substitute for HTML.
   • If not found and the change is non-UI: Proceed — a non-UI stub prototype artifact will be created during artifact generation.

   A change counts as UI if it affects visible components, rendering, layout, CSS, interaction, or user-facing states. Only strictly non-UI changes may use the "No prototype needed" stub.

3. Create the change directory

   openspec new change "<name>"
   

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

4. 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
   • planningHome, changeRoot, artifactPaths, and actionContext: path and scope context. Use these instead of assuming repo-local paths.

5. 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
     • resolvedOutputPath: Resolved path or pattern 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 and write it to resolvedOutputPath
   • Apply context and rules as constraints - but do NOT copy them into the file
   • Show brief progress: "Created "