Plan to Spec Translation

After a plan is approved, translate it into durable kspec artifacts before implementing.

Why This Matters

•Plan files may not persist across sessions
•Specs with AC are the source of truth
•Tasks link to specs for context
•Implementation notes capture the "how"

Workflow

1. Identify Spec Items from Plan

Review the approved plan and extract:

•Features: Major capabilities being added
•Requirements: Specific behaviors under features
•Acceptance Criteria: Testable outcomes (Given/When/Then)

Most plans translate to 1-3 spec items with 3-7 AC total.

2. Find the Right Parent

Use search to find related items and the right parent:

bash

# Search across all specs for related content
kspec search "<keyword>"

# List items filtered by domain tag
kspec item list --tag cli
kspec item list --tag validation

# Check item types to see the hierarchy
kspec item types

# Check a potential parent
kspec item get @parent-slug

Spec items need a parent (module or feature). Choose based on domain fit.

3. Create Spec Item(s)

bash

kspec item add \
  --under @parent \
  --title "Feature Title" \
  --type feature \
  --slug feature-slug \
  --tag <relevant-tag> \
  --description "What this feature does and why"

For requirements under features:

bash

kspec item add \
  --under @feature-slug \
  --title "Specific Requirement" \
  --type requirement \
  --slug requirement-slug

4. Add Acceptance Criteria

For each testable outcome from the plan:

bash

kspec item ac add @spec-slug \
  --given "The precondition or context" \
  --when "The action or trigger" \
  --then "The expected observable result"

Tips:

•Each AC should be independently testable
•Use concrete examples, not abstract descriptions
•Cover happy path and key edge cases
•3-5 AC per spec item is typical

5. Derive Implementation Task

bash

# Preview first with dry-run (recommended)
kspec derive @spec-slug --dry-run

# Recursive (default) - derives tasks for spec and all children
kspec derive @spec-slug

# Flat - only this spec, not children
kspec derive @spec-slug --flat

# Derive all specs that don't have tasks yet
kspec derive --all

This creates task(s) linked to the spec. Child tasks automatically depend on parent tasks. For hierarchical specs (feature with requirements), recursive derive creates the full task tree.

6. Add Implementation Notes

Transfer key implementation details from the plan:

bash

kspec task note @task-slug "Implementation approach:

**Files to modify:**
- path/to/file.ts - description

**Key decisions:**
- Decision 1: rationale
- Decision 2: rationale

**Verification:**
- How to test this works"

7. Begin Implementation

bash

kspec task start @task-slug

8. Verify Structure

After creating specs, verify everything is connected:

bash

# Validate all references are correct
kspec validate --refs

# Check spec shows linked tasks
kspec item status @spec-slug

# Verify task links back to spec
kspec task get @task-slug

Bulk Operations

When creating multiple related specs (e.g., migrating existing features to spec):

bash

# Bulk patch spec statuses via stdin (JSONL format)
echo '{"ref": "@item-1", "data": {"implementation_status": "implemented"}}
{"ref": "@item-2", "data": {"implementation_status": "implemented"}}' | kspec item patch --bulk

# Or from a JSON array file
kspec item patch --bulk < items.json

# Preview bulk changes first
echo '{"ref": "@item-1", "data": {"status": "implemented"}}' | kspec item patch --bulk --dry-run

Checklist

Before starting implementation, verify:

• Spec item created with meaningful description
• All acceptance criteria from plan captured
• Task derived and linked to spec
• Implementation notes transferred from plan
• References validated: kspec validate --refs
• Task started and ready for work

Examples

Small Feature (1 spec, 3 AC)

bash

# Create spec
kspec item add --under @cli --title "JSON Output Mode" --type feature --slug json-output

# Add AC
kspec item ac add @json-output --given "User runs any command" --when "--json flag is passed" --then "Output is valid JSON"
kspec item ac add @json-output --given "Command produces output" --when "--json flag is passed" --then "Output includes all data that text mode shows"
kspec item ac add @json-output --given "Command fails" --when "--json flag is passed" --then "Error is JSON with 'error' field"

# Derive and note
kspec derive @json-output
kspec task note @task-json-output "Check globalJsonMode pattern in output.ts..."

Larger Feature (1 feature + 2 requirements)

bash

# Create feature
kspec item add --under @cli --title "Auto Documentation" --type feature --slug auto-docs

# Create requirements
kspec item add --under @auto-docs --title "Command Introspection" --type requirement --slug cmd-introspection
kspec item add --under @auto-docs --title "Dynamic Help" --type requirement --slug dynamic-help

# Add AC to each
kspec item ac add @cmd-introspection --given "..." --when "..." --then "..."
kspec item ac add @dynamic-help --given "..." --when "..." --then "..."

# Preview what derive will create
kspec derive @auto-docs --dry-run

# Derive all tasks recursively (creates 3 tasks with proper dependencies)
kspec derive @auto-docs

Recursive derive creates: task-auto-docs, then task-cmd-introspection and task-dynamic-help both depending on @task-auto-docs.

Common Mistakes

•Skipping AC: Every spec needs acceptance criteria
•Vague AC: "Works correctly" is not testable
•Missing notes: Plan context gets lost
•Wrong parent: Check item fits under parent's domain
•Too granular: Not every plan bullet needs its own spec
•Using internal task tracker: Tasks must be created in kspec with kspec task add or kspec derive, not Claude Code's TaskCreate tool. The internal tracker can be used for immediate sub-tasks or scratch work, but kspec is the authoritative task list.

Integration

This skill pairs with:

•Plan mode: Use after plan approval
•/kspec: For ongoing task/spec management
•/meta: Track session focus and capture observations during implementation
•/reflect: Review if spec-first was followed

Quick Reference

bash

# The full flow in one block
kspec item add --under @parent --title "Title" --type feature --slug slug
kspec item ac add @slug --given "..." --when "..." --then "..."
kspec derive @slug
kspec task note @task-slug "Implementation: ..."
kspec task start @task-slug