openspec-propose

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. Create the change directory

   openspec new change "<name>"
   

   This creates a scaffolded change in the planning home resolved by the CLI with .openspec.yaml.

3. 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.

4. 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 <artifact-id>"

   b. Continue until all applyRequires artifacts are complete

   • After creating each artifact, re-run openspec status --change "<name>" --json
   • Check if every artifact ID in applyRequires has status: "done" in the artifacts array
   • Stop when all applyRequires artifacts are done

   c. If an artifact requires user input (unclear context):

   • Use AskUserQuestion tool to clarify
   • Then continue with creation

5. Show final status

   openspec status --change "<name>"
   

Output

After completing all artifacts, summarize:

• Change name and location
• List of artifacts created with brief descriptions
• What's ready: "All artifacts created! Ready for implementation."
• Prompt: "Run /opsx:apply or ask me to implement to start working on the tasks."

Artifact Creation Guidelines

• Follow the instruction field from openspec instructions for each artifact type
• The schema defines what each artifact should contain - follow it
• Read dependency artifacts for context before creating new ones
• Use template as the structure for your output file - fill in its sections
• IMPORTANT: context and rules are constraints for YOU, not content for the file
  • Do NOT copy <context>, <rules>, <project_context> blocks into the artifact
  • These guide what you write, but should never appear in the output

Guardrails

• Create ALL artifacts needed for implementation (as defined by schema's apply.requires)
• Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one
• If context is critically unclear, ask the user - but prefer making reasonable decisions to keep momentum
• If a change with that name already exists, ask if user wants to continue it or create a new one
• Verify each artifact file exists after writing before proceeding to next

<!-- keel:openspec-surface-overlay version=5.167.0 -->

Keel Authoring Overlay

Keel rules below take precedence over conflicting generic OpenSpec instructions in this file.

• Invoke the OpenSpec CLI as keel openspec … throughout this file. The commands below are written as a bare openspec, which resolves only where OpenSpec is separately installed on PATH; keel openspec resolves either way, and keel --doctor reports which case this repository is.

Expectation alignment before specs and tasks finalize

• Before specs and executable tasks are finalized, run keel-align-expectations: quick path for complete low-risk requests, deep path when a material choice can change user-visible behavior, an external interface, acceptance, security/privacy/permission boundaries, data migration, protocol/state/timing/reset semantics, generated equivalence, irreversible cost, or a dependency commitment.
• Inspect repository code, tests, docs, and existing OpenSpec authority before asking the user a question those sources can answer; record verified facts as F<n> and escalate only user-owned product choices.
• Label inferred expectations as candidates; user silence never authorizes a material product decision, and unaccepted material candidates stay Q<n> or are explicitly discarded.
• In deep mode ask one material decision at a time, explain why it matters, and provide a recommended answer; stop once executable authority is clear.
• Route accepted outcomes to their durable owners (proposal, design, specs, tasks); create no separate alignment ledger and keep HANDOFF pointer-only.
• A proposal may start as a concise hypothesis, but no affected task becomes executable while a material expectation is unaccepted, unverified, unowned, and undiscarded.

<!-- keel:openspec-surface-overlay:end -->