spec-validation

Spec Validation Skill

You are validating specifications in a Spec Kit workflow. This skill ensures specifications meet quality standards before proceeding to technical planning.

Validation Criteria

1. Technology Agnosticism

Specifications must describe WHAT and WHY, not HOW. Flag any references to:

Frameworks & Libraries

• ❌ React, Vue, Angular, Django, FastAPI, Express
• ❌ Redux, MobX, Zustand (state management)
• ❌ Tailwind, Bootstrap, Material UI (styling)

Languages & Syntax

• ❌ async/await, promises, callbacks
• ❌ decorators, hooks, mixins
• ❌ specific type systems

Databases & Storage

• ❌ PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, S3
• ❌ SQL queries, NoSQL patterns
• ❌ Specific ORM syntax

Infrastructure

• ❌ Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, GCP
• ❌ Specific API protocols (REST, GraphQL, gRPC)
• ❌ Deployment patterns

Good Example:

Users can view their order history sorted by date.

Bad Example:

Use React Query to fetch orders from the REST API and display in a Tailwind-styled table.

2. Testability

Every requirement must be verifiable. Flag:

Vague Requirements

• ❌ "System should be fast"
• ❌ "Good user experience"
• ❌ "Intuitive interface"
• ❌ "Improve performance"

Subjective Criteria

• ❌ "Easy to use"
• ❌ "Modern design"
• ❌ "Scalable architecture"

Good Examples:

- Page loads in under 2 seconds on 3G connection
- Form validates email format before submission
- Users receive confirmation within 24 hours
- System handles 1000 concurrent users

3. Completeness

Check for:

Missing Scenarios

• Happy path (main flow)
• Error cases (what can go wrong)
• Edge cases (boundary conditions)
• Empty/null states

Undefined Terms

• Acronyms without definitions
• Domain-specific terms
• Ambiguous references ("the system", "it")

Missing Acceptance Criteria

• Success conditions
• Error conditions
• Performance requirements
• Security requirements

4. Consistency

Verify:

• No contradicting requirements
• Consistent terminology
• Aligned with constitution (if exists)
• No duplicate requirements