Openspec New Change

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

Store selection: If the user names a store (a store is a standalone OpenSpec repo registered on this machine) or the work lives in one, run openspec store list --json to discover registered store ids, then pass --store <id> on the commands that read or write specs and changes (new change, status, instructions, list, show, validate, archive, doctor, context, schemas, view). Once selected, treat --store <id> as sticky for the rest of the workflow. Every unscoped example of those commands below is shorthand: before running it, append the flag. For example, run openspec status --change "<name>" --json --store "<id>", not the unscoped form shown below. Other commands do not take the flag. Hints printed by commands already carry the flag; keep it on follow-ups. Without a store, commands act on the nearest local openspec/ root.

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

   Ask the user (open-ended, no preset options):

   "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

   openspec new change "<name>"
   

   Add --schema <name> only if the user requested a specific workflow. This creates a scaffolded change in the planning home resolved by the CLI.

4. Show the artifact status

   openspec status --change "<name>" --json
   

   Use the returned planningHome, changeRoot, artifactPaths, and nextSteps instead of assuming repo-local paths.

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".

   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