How do I install the Openspec New Change skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add jimmynotjames/openspec-new-change in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

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Is Openspec New Change free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free. This skill is licensed under MIT.

Who published Openspec New Change?

jimmynotjames (@jimmynotjames) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Openspec New Change by jimmynotjames

Name: Openspec New Change
Author: jimmynotjames

File contents

Start a new change using the experimental artifact-driven approach.

Input: The user's request should include a change name (kebab-case) OR a description of what they want to build.

Steps

If no clear input provided, ask what they want to build

Use the AskUserQuestion tool (open-ended, no preset options) to ask:

"What change do you want to work on? Describe what you want to build or fix."

From their description, derive a kebab-case name (e.g., "add user authentication" → add-user-auth).

IMPORTANT: Do NOT proceed without understanding what the user wants to build.
Determine the workflow schema

Use the default schema (omit --schema) unless the user explicitly requests a different workflow.

Use a different schema only if the user mentions:
- A specific schema name → use --schema <name>
- "show workflows" or "what workflows" → run openspec schemas --json and let them choose
Otherwise: Omit --schema to use the default.
Create the change directory
```
openspec new change "<name>"
```
Add --schema <name> only if the user requested a specific workflow. This creates a scaffolded change at openspec/changes/<name>/ with the selected schema.
Show the artifact status
```
openspec status --change "<name>"
```
This shows which artifacts need to be created and which are ready (dependencies satisfied).
Get instructions for the first artifact The first artifact depends on the schema (e.g., proposal for spec-driven). Check the status output to find the first artifact with status "ready".
```
openspec instructions <first-artifact-id> --change "<name>"
```
This outputs the template and context for creating the first artifact.
STOP and wait for user direction

Output

After completing the steps, summarize:

Change name and location
Schema/workflow being used and its artifact sequence
Current status (0/N artifacts complete)
The template for the first artifact
Prompt: "Ready to create the first artifact? Just describe what this change is about and I'll draft it, or ask me to continue."

Guardrails

Do NOT create any artifacts yet - just show the instructions
Do NOT advance beyond showing the first artifact template
If the name is invalid (not kebab-case), ask for a valid name
If a change with that name already exists, suggest continuing that change instead
Pass --schema if using a non-default workflow

---name: openspec-new-changedescription: Start a new OpenSpec change using the experimental artifact workflow. Use when the user wants to create a new feature, fix, or modification with a structured step-by-step approach.license: MIT---Start a new change using the experimental artifact-driven approach.**Input**: The user's request should include a change name (kebab-case) OR a description of what they want to build.**Steps**1. **If no clear input provided, ask what they want to build** Use the **AskUserQuestion tool** (open-ended, no preset options) to ask: > "What change do you want to work on? Describe what you want to build or fix." From their description, derive a kebab-case name (e.g., "add user authentication" → `add-user-auth`). **IMPORTANT**: Do NOT proceed without understanding what the user wants to build.2. **Determine the workflow schema** Use the default schema (omit `--schema`) unless the user explicitly requests a different workflow. **Use a different schema only if the user mentions:** - A specific schema name → use `--schema <name>` - "show workflows" or "what workflows" → run `openspec schemas --json` and let them choose **Otherwise**: Omit `--schema` to use the default.3. **Create the change directory** ```bash openspec new change "<name>" ``` Add `--schema <name>` only if the user requested a specific workflow. This creates a scaffolded change at `openspec/changes/<name>/` with the selected schema.4. **Show the artifact status** ```bash openspec status --change "<name>" ``` This shows which artifacts need to be created and which are ready (dependencies satisfied).5. **Get instructions for the first artifact** The first artifact depends on the schema (e.g., `proposal` for spec-driven). Check the status output to find the first artifact with status "ready". ```bash openspec instructions <first-artifact-id> --change "<name>" ``` This outputs the template and context for creating the first artifact.6. **STOP and wait for user direction****Output**After completing the steps, summarize:- Change name and location- Schema/workflow being used and its artifact sequence- Current status (0/N artifacts complete)- The template for the first artifact- Prompt: "Ready to create the first artifact? Just describe what this change is about and I'll draft it, or ask me to continue."**Guardrails**- Do NOT create any artifacts yet - just show the instructions- Do NOT advance beyond showing the first artifact template- If the name is invalid (not kebab-case), ask for a valid name- If a change with that name already exists, suggest continuing that change instead- Pass --schema if using a non-default workflow

Frequently asked questions

Openspec New Change