Spec Implementation Workflow
What It Does
- •Loads spec, tasks, requirements, visuals
- •Presents implementation approach options
- •Sets up isolated workspace (worktree)
- •Executes tasks with chosen approach
- •Tracks progress (updates tasks.md, creates reports)
- •Runs implementation verification
- •Completes development (merge/PR/etc.)
Uses Superpowers patterns for quality gates.
The Process
Step 1: Load Context
bash
SPEC="[provided by orchestrator]" cat "$SPEC/spec.md" cat "$SPEC/tasks.md" cat "$SPEC/planning/requirements.md" ls -la "$SPEC/planning/visuals/" cat specs/product/tech-stack.md
Analyze:
- •Task groups and dependencies
- •Reusability notes
- •Visual assets
- •Tech stack
Step 2: Present Approach Options
code
Ready to implement: [Spec Name] Task breakdown: [X] task groups: 1. [Group 1] - [Y tasks] 2. [Group 2] - [Z tasks] 3. [Group 3] - [A tasks] 4. [Group 4] - Verification Implementation approach: **Option A: Subagent-Driven Development** (Recommended) - Fresh subagent per task group - Code review after each group - Fast iteration with quality gates - Less human intervention - Best for: Independent task groups **Option B: Sequential Execution** - Batch execution with checkpoints - You review between batches - More hands-on control - Best for: Tightly coupled tasks Which approach?
WAIT for choice.
Step 3: Set Up Isolated Workspace
Use Superpowers skill:
code
Skill("using-git-worktrees")
feature_name: [spec-name]
branch_name: feature/[spec-name]
Skill handles:
- •Directory selection (.worktrees vs global)
- •.gitignore verification
- •Worktree creation
- •Project setup (npm install, etc.)
- •Clean test baseline
After setup:
code
✅ Workspace ready Worktree: [path] Branch: feature/[spec-name] Baseline tests: [X passing, 0 failures] Ready to implement.
Step 4: Execute Based on Approach
Approach A: Subagent-Driven
Use Superpowers skill:
code
Skill("subagent-driven-development")
spec_path: [spec-path]
tasks_file: [spec-path]/tasks.md
working_directory: [worktree-path]
Skill handles:
- •Loads tasks.md
- •For each task group:
- •Dispatches fresh subagent
- •Subagent follows TDD
- •Code review after group
- •Fixes issues from review
- •Marks tasks complete
- •Final code review
- •Reports completion
Subagents use verification-before-completion before claiming done.
Approach B: Sequential
Use Superpowers skill:
code
Skill("executing-plans")
plan_file: [spec-path]/tasks.md
working_directory: [worktree-path]
Skill handles:
- •Loads tasks.md as plan
- •Executes first batch (first task group)
- •Reports results
- •Waits for your feedback
- •Continues to next batch
- •Repeats until complete
You review between batches.
Step 5: Track Progress
During implementation:
Update tasks.md:
bash
# Mark completed tasks sed -i 's/^- \[ \] \([0-9]\.[0-9]\)/- [x] \1/' "$SPEC/tasks.md"
Create implementation reports:
bash
cat > "$SPEC/implementation/[N]-[group]-implementation.md" <<'EOF' # Implementation Report: [Group Name] ## Date [Current date] ## Implementer [Subagent or sequential] ## Tasks Completed - [x] Task N.1 - [x] Task N.2 ## Files Changed [List] ## Tests Written - Total: [X] tests - All passing: [Yes/No] - Test files: [list] ## Issues Encountered [Any issues] ## Notes [Decisions made] EOF
Step 6: Run Implementation Verification
After all task groups complete:
Use SDD skill:
code
Skill("implementation-verification")
spec_path: [spec-path]
Skill handles:
- •Verifies all tasks marked complete
- •Updates roadmap
- •Runs entire test suite
- •Creates final verification report
After verification:
If PASSED:
code
✅ Implementation Verified All tasks: ✅ Roadmap: Updated ✅ Tests: [X passing, 0 failures] Report: verification/final-verification.md Ready to complete work.
If FAILED:
code
⚠️ Implementation Issues Tasks: [Status] Tests: [X passing, Y failures] Failed tests: 1. [Test] Options: 1. Review failures and fix 2. See full report 3. Return to implementation What next?
Step 7: Complete Development
Use Superpowers skill:
code
Skill("finishing-development-branch")
branch: feature/[spec-name]
base_branch: main
Skill handles:
- •Verifies tests pass
- •Presents options:
- •Merge locally
- •Create PR
- •Keep as-is
- •Discard
- •Executes choice
- •Cleans up worktree
After completion:
code
✅ Implementation Complete! Summary: - Spec: [spec-name] - Task groups: [X] complete - Tests: [Y] passing - Branch: [Status] Returned to /catchup.
Resuming Mid-Implementation
If partially complete:
code
Resuming: [spec-name] Progress: ✅ Task Group 1: [Name] ([X/Y]) ✅ Task Group 2: [Name] ([A/B]) 🔄 Task Group 3: [Name] ([C/D]) IN PROGRESS ⚪ Task Group 4: Verification Worktree: [Found at path / Not found] Options: 1. Continue in existing worktree 2. Create fresh worktree 3. Work in current directory Which?
Checkpoints Between Groups
code
✅ Task Group [N] Complete Implemented: - [List tasks] Tests: - [X] tests written - All passing: [Yes/No] Code review: [Status] Ready for Task Group [N+1]? Options: 1. Continue 2. Review implementation 3. Pause (resume later) What next?
Browser Testing (Optional)
If UI tasks and browser tools available:
code
Browser testing available for UI. After UI task group: 1. Test in browser, capture screenshots 2. Skip browser testing (rely on automated tests) Preference?
If yes:
bash
mkdir -p "$SPEC/verification/screenshots" # Take screenshots via browser MCP tools # Store in verification/screenshots/
Red Flags
Never:
- •Skip worktree setup without approval
- •Mix approaches mid-implementation
- •Proceed with failing tests
- •Skip verification
- •Forget roadmap update
- •Auto-merge without confirmation
Always:
- •Present approach options first
- •Use Superpowers skills for workflow
- •Create implementation reports
- •Verify all tests pass
- •Update tasks.md and roadmap
- •Use finishing-development-branch
Integration
Called by:
- •
sdd-orchestratorwhen spec ready
Uses Superpowers skills:
- •
using-git-worktrees(Step 3 - REQUIRED) - •
subagent-driven-development(Step 4A - Optional) - •
executing-plans(Step 4B - Optional) - •
finishing-development-branch(Step 7 - REQUIRED)
Subagents should use:
- •
verification-before-completionprinciples (before marking tasks done)
Uses SDD skill:
- •
implementation-verification(Step 6 - REQUIRED)
May use:
- •Browser MCP tools (Optional for UI testing)
Returns to:
- •
sdd-orchestratorafter completion
Updates:
- •
[spec]/tasks.md- Checkboxes - •
[spec]/implementation/*.md- Reports - •
[spec]/verification/final-verification.md- Final report - •
specs/product/roadmap.md- Completed items