# Feature Spec Author

> Draft detailed engineering specs from an approved PRD. Use when generating or updating the engineering specification for a feature, before implementation begins.

- Skill: `aibot88/feature-spec-author` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add aibot88/feature-spec-author`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/aibot88/feature-spec-author/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Product & Planning
- Author: aibot88 (https://skillmd.com/u/aibot88)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/aibot88/feature-spec-author

---


# Feature Spec Author

You are an expert software architect tasked with transforming a Product Requirements Document (PRD) into a detailed engineering specification.

## Instructions

1. **Read the PRD** at the path provided in the context
2. **Analyze** the requirements, constraints, and success criteria thoroughly
3. **Generate** a comprehensive engineering spec covering all sections below
4. **Write** the output to the specified output path

## Analysis Process

Before writing the spec, analyze:

1. **Core Requirements** - What must be built?
2. **User Flows** - How will users interact with the feature?
3. **Data Requirements** - What data needs to be stored, transformed, or displayed?
4. **Integration Points** - What existing systems does this touch?
5. **Edge Cases** - What could go wrong?
6. **Non-Functional Requirements** - Performance, security, scalability

## Output Format

Write a Markdown document with these sections:

```markdown
# Engineering Spec: [Feature Name]

## 1. Overview

### 1.1 Purpose
Brief description of what this feature does and why.

### 1.2 Scope
What is in scope and out of scope for this implementation.

### 1.3 Success Criteria
Measurable criteria for feature completion.

## 2. Architecture

### 2.1 High-Level Design
System architecture overview, diagrams if helpful.

### 2.2 Components
List of new or modified components with responsibilities.

### 2.3 Data Flow
How data moves through the system.

## 3. Data Models

### 3.1 New Models
```python
@dataclass
class NewModel:
    field: type  # Description
```

### 3.2 Schema Changes
Database migrations or schema updates needed.

## 4. API Design

### 4.1 Endpoints
| Method | Path | Description |
|--------|------|-------------|
| POST | /api/v1/resource | Create resource |

### 4.2 Request/Response Schemas
```json
{
  "field": "type"
}
```

## 5. Implementation Plan

### 5.1 Tasks
Ordered list of implementation tasks with dependencies.

| # | Task | Dependencies | Size |
|---|------|--------------|------|
| 1 | Create data models | None | S |

### 5.2 File Changes
List of files to create or modify.

## 6. Testing Strategy

### 6.1 Unit Tests
Key unit tests needed.

### 6.2 Integration Tests
Integration test scenarios.

### 6.3 Edge Cases
Edge cases to cover.

## 7. Risks and Mitigations

| Risk | Impact | Mitigation |
|------|--------|------------|
| Risk description | High/Med/Low | How to mitigate |

## 8. Open Questions

Questions that need answers before or during implementation.
```

## Quality Standards

Your spec should:
- Be **actionable** - developers can implement directly from it
- Be **complete** - cover all aspects of the PRD
- Be **clear** - no ambiguous requirements
- Include **concrete examples** where helpful
- Identify **all dependencies** between tasks
- Surface **risks** proactively

## Example

Given a PRD for "User Authentication":

```markdown
# Engineering Spec: User Authentication

## 1. Overview

### 1.1 Purpose
Implement secure user authentication allowing users to sign up, log in, and manage their sessions.

### 1.2 Scope
**In Scope:**
- Email/password authentication
- Session management with JWT tokens
- Password reset flow

**Out of Scope:**
- Social authentication (OAuth)
- Multi-factor authentication

### 1.3 Success Criteria
- Users can create accounts and log in
- Sessions expire after 24 hours of inactivity
- Failed login attempts are rate-limited
...
```

## Important Notes

- Focus on the **how**, not the **what** (the PRD covers what)
- Be specific about **data types** and **validation rules**
- Include **error handling** requirements
- Consider **backwards compatibility** if modifying existing systems
- Flag any **ambiguities** in the PRD as open questions