Spec Validation

Spec Validation Skill

You are validating specifications in a Spec Kit workflow. This skill ensures specifications meet quality standards before proceeding to technical planning.

Validation Criteria

1. Technology Agnosticism

Specifications must describe WHAT and WHY, not HOW. Flag any references to:

Frameworks & Libraries

• ❌ React, Vue, Angular, Django, FastAPI, Express
• ❌ Redux, MobX, Zustand (state management)
• ❌ Tailwind, Bootstrap, Material UI (styling)

Languages & Syntax

• ❌ async/await, promises, callbacks
• ❌ decorators, hooks, mixins
• ❌ specific type systems

Databases & Storage

• ❌ PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, S3
• ❌ SQL queries, NoSQL patterns
• ❌ Specific ORM syntax

Infrastructure

• ❌ Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, GCP
• ❌ Specific API protocols (REST, GraphQL, gRPC)
• ❌ Deployment patterns

Good Example:

Users can view their order history sorted by date.

Bad Example:

Use React Query to fetch orders from the REST API and display in a Tailwind-styled table.

2. Testability

Every requirement must be verifiable. Flag:

Vague Requirements

• ❌ "System should be fast"
• ❌ "Good user experience"
• ❌ "Intuitive interface"
• ❌ "Improve performance"

Subjective Criteria

• ❌ "Easy to use"
• ❌ "Modern design"
• ❌ "Scalable architecture"

Good Examples:

- Page loads in under 2 seconds on 3G connection
- Form validates email format before submission
- Users receive confirmation within 24 hours
- System handles 1000 concurrent users

3. Completeness

Check for:

Missing Scenarios

• Happy path (main flow)
• Error cases (what can go wrong)
• Edge cases (boundary conditions)
• Empty/null states

Undefined Terms

• Acronyms without definitions
• Domain-specific terms
• Ambiguous references ("the system", "it")

Missing Acceptance Criteria

• Success conditions
• Error conditions
• Performance requirements
• Security requirements

4. Consistency

Verify:

• No contradicting requirements
• Consistent terminology
• Aligned with constitution (if exists)
• No duplicate requirements

Output Format

When validating, produce:

## Spec Validation Report

### Summary
| Criterion | Status |
|-----------|--------|
| Technology Agnosticism | ✅ PASS / ⚠️ ISSUES |
| Testability | ✅ PASS / ⚠️ ISSUES |
| Completeness | ✅ PASS / ⚠️ ISSUES |
| Consistency | ✅ PASS / ⚠️ ISSUES |

### Issues Found

#### Technology Leaks
- Line 42: "Use PostgreSQL for storage" → Rephrase as "Data persists across sessions"

#### Testability Issues
- Line 15: "System should be intuitive" → Add measurable criteria

#### Missing Scenarios
- No error handling for invalid input
- No empty state defined

### Recommendations
1. [Priority 1] Remove database reference on line 42
2. [Priority 2] Add success criteria for requirement 3
3. [Priority 3] Define acronym "SSO" on first use

When to Invoke This Skill

Claude should use this skill when:

• User creates or edits a spec.md file
• Before running /speckit.plan
• User asks to review a specification
• Discussing requirement quality
• Transitioning from specify to plan phase

Validation Process

1. Read the spec.md file
2. Check each section against criteria
3. Note specific line numbers for issues
4. Prioritize findings by impact
5. Suggest concrete improvements

Integration with Workflow

specify → [VALIDATION] → clarify → plan
             ↑
        This skill

After validation:

• If PASS: Proceed to /speckit.plan
• If ISSUES: Run /speckit.clarify to resolve
• If MAJOR ISSUES: Revise spec before proceeding