Stage 08 - Tech Specs
Create detailed technical specifications that translate architecture designs into implementation-ready documents, covering API contracts, database migrations, frontend/backend specs, testing strategies, and security requirements.
When to Use This Skill
- •User asks to start stage 08 (tech-specs)
- •User wants to create technical specifications or OpenAPI docs
- •User asks about API specs, testing strategy, or service specifications
Your Roles in This Skill
See dev-swarm/docs/general-dev-stage-rule.md for role selection guidance.
Role Communication
See dev-swarm/docs/general-dev-stage-rule.md for the required role announcement format.
Pre-Stage Check
Before starting, verify previous stages:
- •Check if
00-init-ideas/through07-architecture/folders have content (not just.gitkeep) - •If any previous stage is empty and has no
SKIP.md:- •Ask user: "Stage {XX} is not complete. Would you like to skip it or start from that stage first?"
Instructions
Step 1: Context Review
Read all files to understand the project:
- •
ideas.md - •
00-init-ideas/*.mdthrough07-architecture/*.md- All markdown files
Step 2: Create Stage Proposal
General Rules: See dev-swarm/docs/general-dev-stage-rule.md → "Create Stage Proposal Rules" section.
If this stage is skipped (has SKIP.md), execute the next non-skipped stage's agent skill. Otherwise, create the file 08-tech-specs/README.md with the following content:
2.1 Stage Goal
Brief the goal in 2-3 paragraphs:
- •What this stage aims to achieve
- •Why detailed technical specifications are critical before development
- •How this bridges architecture design (stage 07) with implementation (stage 10 sprints)
- •What deliverables will be produced
2.2 File Selection
Select files from these options based on project needs:
Overview & Strategy:
- •
tech-specs-overview.md- Technical specifications overview - •
testing-strategy.md- Comprehensive testing strategy (unit, integration, e2e) - •
error-handling.md- Error handling strategy
API Specifications:
- •
api-specifications.md- Detailed API specifications with request/response formats - •
openapi.yaml- OpenAPI/Swagger specification for REST APIs - •
api-mockup-adapter.md- Design for configurable mock adapters for cost/latency-sensitive third-party services. Refer toreferences/api-mockup-adapter.mdfor design instructions.
Database Specifications:
- •
database-migrations.md- Database migration strategy
Frontend Specifications:
- •
frontend-specs.md- Frontend technical specs (language, framework, coding standards) - •
state-management-strategy.md- How frontend handles state
Backend Specifications:
- •
backend-specs.md- Backend technical specs (language, framework, coding standards) - •
service-specs/- Individual service specification files (auth, payment, etc.)
Dependencies & Integrations:
- •
dependencies-list.md- Comprehensive list of planned packages - •
third-party-integration-guide.md- Third-party integration specifications
Security & Performance:
- •
security-specifications.md- Security implementation details - •
performance-specs.md- Performance requirements
Observability:
- •
observability-spec.md- Logging, metrics, tracing specifications
For each selected file, provide:
- •Short description
- •Why it's essential for this project
- •Key information it should include
2.3 Request User Approval
Ask user: "Please check the Stage Proposal in 08-tech-specs/README.md. Update it directly or tell me how to update it."
Step 3: Execute Stage Plan
Once user approves 08-tech-specs/README.md:
3.1 Create All Planned Files
Create each file listed in the approved README:
- •For
.mdfiles: Write comprehensive, implementation-ready specifications. Forapi-mockup-adapter.md, refer toreferences/api-mockup-adapter.mdfor design guidance. - •For
.yamlfiles: Create valid OpenAPI/Swagger specifications - •For
service-specs/folder: Create individual service specification files
Quality Guidelines:
- •Ensure all specifications are consistent with architecture decisions
- •API specifications must include request/response examples and error codes
- •All specs should be detailed enough for developers to implement without ambiguity
- •Include code examples where applicable
3.2 Request User Approval for Files
After creating all files:
- •Provide a summary of what was created
- •Highlight key technical decisions documented
- •Ask: "Please review the technical specifications. You can update or delete files, or let me know how to modify them."
Step 4: Finalize Stage
Once user approves all files:
4.1 Documentation Finalization
- •Sync
08-tech-specs/README.mdto remove any deleted files - •Ensure all files are complete and well-formatted
- •Validate API specifications follow OpenAPI standards
4.2 Prepare for Next Stage
- •Summarize key technical specifications for reference in DevOps setup
- •Identify infrastructure requirements derived from the specs
4.3 Announce Completion
Inform user:
- •"Stage 08 (Tech Specs) is complete"
- •Summary of deliverables created
- •Key technical decisions documented
- •"Ready to proceed to Stage 09 (DevOps) when you are"
Stage Completion Rules
See dev-swarm/docs/general-dev-stage-rule.md for stage completion, commit, and skip rules.
Key Principles
- •Make specifications implementation-ready
- •Include code examples where helpful
- •Ensure consistency with architecture decisions
- •Support smooth transition to DevOps setup