Buildpad Spec Init

Spec Initialization

Execution Steps

1. Check for Brief: If .kiro/specs/{feature-name}/brief.md exists (created by /buildpad-discovery), read it. The brief contains problem, approach, scope, and constraints from the discovery session. Use this to pre-fill the project description and skip clarification questions that the brief already answers.
2. Clarify Intent: The Project Description in requirements.md must contain three elements: (a) who has the problem, (b) current situation, (c) what should change. If a brief.md exists and covers these, skip to step 3. Otherwise, ask the user to clarify before proceeding. Ask as many questions as needed; do not fill in gaps with your own assumptions.
3. Check Uniqueness: Verify .kiro/specs/ for naming conflicts. If the directory already exists with only brief.md (no spec.json), use that directory (discovery created it).
4. Create Directory: .kiro/specs/[feature-name]/ (skip if already exists from discovery)
5. Initialize Files Using Templates:
   • If .kiro/settings/templates/specs/ does not exist, bootstrap it first: copy this skill's bundled settings-templates/specs/ directory to .kiro/settings/templates/specs/
   • Read .kiro/settings/templates/specs/init.json
   • Read .kiro/settings/templates/specs/requirements-init.md
   • Replace placeholders:
     • {{FEATURE_NAME}} → generated feature name
     • {{TIMESTAMP}} → current ISO 8601 timestamp
     • {{PROJECT_DESCRIPTION}} → from brief.md if available, otherwise $ARGUMENTS
     • en → language code (detect from user's input language, default to en)
   • Write spec.json and requirements.md to spec directory

Important Constraints

• Do NOT generate requirements, design, or tasks. This skill only creates spec.json and requirements.md.

Output Description

Provide output in the language specified in spec.json with the following structure:

1. Generated Feature Name: feature-name format with 1-2 sentence rationale
2. Project Summary: Brief summary (1 sentence)
3. Created Files: Bullet list with full paths
4. Next Step: Command block showing /buildpad-spec-requirements <feature-name>

Format Requirements:

• Use Markdown headings (##, ###)
• Wrap commands in code blocks
• Keep total output concise (under 250 words)
• Use clear, professional language per spec.json.language

Safety & Fallback

• Ambiguous Feature Name: If feature name generation is unclear, propose 2-3 options and ask user to select
• Template Missing: If template files don't exist in .kiro/settings/templates/specs/, report error with specific missing file path and suggest checking repository setup
• Directory Conflict: If feature name already exists, append numeric suffix (e.g., feature-name-2) and notify user of automatic conflict resolution
• Write Failure: Report error with specific path and suggest checking permissions or disk space