OpenSpec Check
Verify spec status before implementation.
Announce: "I'm using openspec-check to verify spec status before proceeding."
Iron Law
code
NO IMPLEMENTATION WITHOUT CHECKING SPECS FIRST
Process
Step 1: List Current Specs
bash
openspec list --specs
Identify which capability this work relates to:
- •
algorithm- Game mechanics, scoring, ranking - •
database- Schema, RLS, data model - •
frontend- UI components, views, stores - •
game-core- Core gameplay loop - •
edge-functions- LLM, embeddings - •
operations- CI/CD, deployment
Step 2: Check Active Changes
bash
openspec list
Look for:
- •Is there already a change in progress for this capability?
- •Would this work conflict with an active change?
Step 3: Read Relevant Spec
If spec exists:
bash
openspec show [capability] --type spec
Check:
- •Does this work align with existing requirements?
- •Would this work modify existing behavior?
- •Are there scenarios that would be affected?
Step 4: Report Status
Report ONE of these outcomes:
A) Spec exists, work aligns:
code
Spec `[capability]` exists. This work aligns with requirement: [name]. Proceeding with implementation following existing spec.
→ Load test-tdd skill and implement
B) Spec exists, work would modify:
code
Spec `[capability]` exists but this work would modify requirement: [name]. This needs an OpenSpec proposal before implementation.
→ Load openspec-propose skill
C) No spec exists, new capability:
code
No spec exists for this capability. This is a new feature that needs an OpenSpec proposal.
→ Load openspec-propose skill
D) Active change in progress:
code
Active change `[change-id]` is in progress for this capability. Status: [X/Y tasks complete] Options: 1. Continue that change 2. Wait for it to complete 3. Create separate change (if unrelated)
→ ASK user how to proceed
E) Trivial fix, no spec needed:
code
This is a bug fix / typo / formatting change that restores intended behavior. No spec change needed.
→ Load test-tdd skill and fix
REQUIRED SUB-SKILL
Based on outcome:
- •New feature or behavior change → Load
openspec-propose - •Aligned with spec or trivial fix → Load
test-tdd
Red Flags - STOP
If you catch yourself:
- •Starting implementation without running this check
- •Assuming "this is too small to need a spec"
- •Ignoring active changes that might conflict
STOP. Run openspec list --specs and openspec list first.