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mattpocock/to-spec

mattpocock

to-spec

Turn the current conversation into a spec and publish it to the project issue tracker: no interview, just synthesis of what you've already discussed.

NewUpdated Sep 9, 2026

This skill takes the current conversation context and codebase understanding and produces a spec. Do NOT interview the user; just synthesize what you already know.

The issue tracker and triage label vocabulary should have been provided to you. If not, tell the user to run /setup-matt-pocock-skills.

Process

  1. Explore the repo to understand the current state of the codebase, if you haven't already. Use the project's domain glossary vocabulary throughout the spec, and respect any ADRs in the area you're touching.

  2. Sketch out the seams at which you're going to test the feature. Existing seams should be preferred to new ones. Use the highest seam possible. If new seams are needed, propose them at the highest point you can. The fewer seams across the codebase, the better - the ideal number is one.

Check with the user that these seams match their expectations.

  1. Write the spec using the template below, then publish it to the project issue tracker. Apply the ready-for-agent triage label - no need for additional triage.

Problem Statement

The problem that the user is facing, from the user's perspective.

Solution

The solution to the problem, from the user's perspective.

User Stories

A LONG, numbered list of user stories. Each user story should be in the format of:

  1. As an , I want a , so that

This list of user stories should be extremely extensive and cover all aspects of the feature.

Implementation Decisions

A list of implementation decisions that were made. This can include:

  • The modules that will be built/modified
  • The interfaces of those modules that will be modified
  • Technical clarifications from the developer
  • Architectural decisions
  • Schema changes
  • API contracts
  • Specific interactions

Do NOT include specific file paths or code snippets. They may end up being outdated very quickly.

Exception: if a prototype produced a snippet that encodes a decision more precisely than prose can (state machine, reducer, schema, type shape), inline it within the relevant decision and note briefly that it came from a prototype. Trim to the decision-rich parts, not a working demo, just the important bits.

Testing Decisions

A list of testing decisions that were made. Include:

  • A description of what makes a good test (only test external behavior, not implementation details)
  • Which modules will be tested
  • Prior art for the tests (i.e. similar types of tests in the codebase)

Out of Scope

A description of the things that are out of scope for this spec.

Further Notes

Any further notes about the feature.

Files2
2 files · 1.2 KB

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Overall Score

82/100

Grade

B

Good

Grades are signals, not a certification. Always review a skill yourself before use.

Safety

88

Quality

80

Clarity

85

Completeness

72

Summary

This skill synthesizes the current conversation context and codebase understanding into a structured specification (Problem Statement, Solution, User Stories, Implementation/Testing Decisions, Scope, Notes) and publishes it to the project's issue tracker with a "ready-for-agent" label. It is designed for immediate spec generation without user interviews — the assumption is that design discussion has already occurred.

Detected Capabilities

read codebase filesanalyze conversation contextexplore repository structurewrite to issue trackerapply issue labels

Trigger Keywords

Phrases that agents use to match this skill to user intent.

write specificationconvert discussion to specpublish issue specsynthesize design notescreate user storiesspec generation

Use Cases

  • Convert design discussion into a formal spec document
  • Publish specification to issue tracker for team review
  • Generate user stories and implementation decisions from conversation context
  • Establish testing strategy and scope boundaries for a feature
  • Document architectural decisions from design conversation

Quality Notes

  • Skill explicitly disables model self-invocation (disable-model-invocation: true), reducing risk of uncontrolled prompt injection
  • Clear process workflow with numbered steps and user verification points
  • Spec template is well-structured with distinct sections (Problem, Solution, User Stories, Implementation Decisions, Testing Decisions, Out of Scope, Further Notes)
  • Dependencies on setup (issue tracker configuration, triage vocabulary, ADR access) are documented and delegated to `/setup-matt-pocock-skills`
  • Guidance on architectural constraints is thoughtful: prefer existing seams for testing, minimize seam count, propose at highest point
  • Instruction against including file paths or code snippets is a maintenance best practice that reduces spec rot
  • User story format is standardized and example is provided
  • Scope of user story list is intentionally extensive, reducing incompleteness risk
  • User verification checkpoint for seams design is included before implementation
Model: claude-haiku-4-5-20251001Analyzed: Sep 9, 2026

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Version History

  1. v2.0

    Contract changed: description

    ✦ AIAdds support for OpenAI agent configuration and clarifies skill setup and prose guidance.

    triggering2026-09-09

    LATEST
  2. v1.0

    2026-07-09

    View This VersionInitial version

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