Project Constitution

Project Constitution Management

Overview

You are updating the project constitution at .specify/memory/constitution.md (or .specify/.specify/memory/constitution.md if the user's structure differs). This file is a TEMPLATE containing placeholder tokens in square brackets (e.g. [PROJECT_NAME], [PRINCIPLE_1_NAME]). Your job is to (a) collect/derive concrete values, (b) fill the template precisely, and (c) propagate any amendments across dependent artifacts.

Note: If the constitution file does not exist yet, it should have been initialized from a template during project setup. If it's missing, copy the template first (check .specify/templates/constitution-template.md).

Execution Flow

1. Load the existing constitution.

   • Identify every placeholder token of the form [ALL_CAPS_IDENTIFIER].
   • IMPORTANT: The user might require less or more principles than the ones used in the template. If a number is specified, respect that - follow the general template. You will update the doc accordingly.

2. Collect/derive values for placeholders:

   • If user input (conversation) supplies a value, use it.
   • Otherwise infer from existing repo context (README, docs, prior constitution versions if embedded).
   • For governance dates: RATIFICATION_DATE is the original adoption date (if unknown ask or mark TODO), LAST_AMENDED_DATE is today if changes are made, otherwise keep previous.
   • CONSTITUTION_VERSION must increment according to semantic versioning rules:
     • MAJOR: Backward incompatible governance/principle removals or redefinitions.
     • MINOR: New principle/section added or materially expanded guidance.
     • PATCH: Clarifications, wording, typo fixes, non-semantic refinements.
   • If version bump type ambiguous, propose reasoning before finalizing.

3. Draft the updated constitution content:

   • Replace every placeholder with concrete text (no bracketed tokens left except intentionally retained template slots that the project has chosen not to define yet—explicitly justify any left).
   • Preserve heading hierarchy and comments can be removed once replaced unless they still add clarifying guidance.
   • Ensure each Principle section: succinct name line, paragraph (or bullet list) capturing non‑negotiable rules, explicit rationale if not obvious.
   • Ensure Governance section lists amendment procedure, versioning policy, and compliance review expectations.

4. Consistency propagation checklist:

   • Check if .specify/templates/plan-template.md, .specify/templates/spec-template.md, and any other templates align with the updated constitution.
   • Update runtime guidance docs (e.g., README.md, docs/quickstart.md) if they reference changed principles.

5. Produce a Sync Impact Report (prepend as an HTML comment at top of the constitution file after update):

   • Version change: old → new
   • List of modified principles (old title → new title if renamed)
   • Added/Removed sections
   • Templates requiring updates (✅ updated / ⚠ pending) with file paths
   • Follow-up TODOs.

6. Validation before final output:

   • No remaining unexplained bracket tokens.
   • Version line matches report.
   • Dates ISO format YYYY-MM-DD.
   • Principles are declarative, testable, and free of vague language ("should" → replace with MUST/SHOULD rationale where appropriate).

7. Write the completed constitution back to the file (overwrite).

8. Output a final summary:

   • New version and bump rationale.
   • Any files flagged for manual follow-up.
   • Suggested commit message (e.g., docs: amend constitution to vX.Y.Z (principle additions + governance update)).

Formatting & Style Requirements

• Use Markdown headings exactly as in the template.
• Wrap long rationale lines to keep readability (<100 chars ideally).
• Keep a single blank line between sections.
• Avoid trailing whitespace.
• If critical info missing, insert TODO(<FIELD_NAME>): explanation and include in the Sync Impact Report.