CtrlK
BlogDocsLog inGet started
Tessl Logo

openspec-propose

Propose a new change with all artifacts generated in one step. Use when the user wants to quickly describe what they want to build and get a complete proposal with design, specs, and tasks ready for implementation.

76

1.04x
Quality

72%

Does it follow best practices?

Impact

69%

1.04x

Average score across 3 eval scenarios

SecuritybySnyk

Passed

No known issues

Optimize this skill with Tessl

npx tessl skill review --optimize ./.github/skills/openspec-propose/SKILL.md
SKILL.md
Quality
Evals
Security

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


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 at openspec/changes/<name>/ 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
  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
      • outputPath: Where 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
    • Apply context and rules as constraints - but do NOT copy them into the file
    • Show brief progress: "Created "

    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
Repository
arm/mlia
Last updated
Created

Is this your skill?

If you maintain this skill, you can claim it as your own. Once claimed, you can manage eval scenarios, bundle related skills, attach documentation or rules, and ensure cross-agent compatibility.