Openspec Archive Change

Archive a completed change in the experimental workflow.

Input: Optionally specify a change name. If omitted, MUST prompt for available changes.

Steps

1. If no change name provided, prompt for selection

   Run openspec list --json to get available changes. Use the AskUserQuestion tool to let the user select.

   Show only active changes (not already archived). Include the schema used for each change if available.

   IMPORTANT: Do NOT guess or auto-select a change. Always let the user choose.

2. Check artifact completion status

   Run openspec status --change "<name>" --json to check artifact completion.

   Parse the JSON to understand:

   • schemaName: The workflow being used
   • artifacts: List of artifacts with their status (done or other)

   If any artifacts are not done:

   • Display warning listing incomplete artifacts
   • Use AskUserQuestion tool to confirm user wants to proceed
   • Proceed if user confirms

3. Check task completion status

   Read the tasks file (typically tasks.md) to check for incomplete tasks.

   Count tasks marked with - [ ] (incomplete) vs - [x] (complete).

   If incomplete tasks found:

   • Display warning showing count of incomplete tasks
   • Use AskUserQuestion tool to confirm user wants to proceed
   • Proceed if user confirms

   If no tasks file exists: Proceed without task-related warning.

4. Check if delta specs need syncing

   Check if specs/ directory exists in the change with spec files.

   If delta specs exist, perform a quick sync check:

   a. For each delta spec at openspec/changes/<name>/specs/<capability>/spec.md:

   • Extract requirement names (lines matching ### Requirement: <name>)
   • Note which sections exist (ADDED, MODIFIED, REMOVED)

   b. Check corresponding main spec at openspec/specs/<capability>/spec.md:

   • If main spec doesn't exist → needs sync
   • If main spec exists, check if ADDED requirement names appear in it
   • If any ADDED requirements are missing from main spec → needs sync

   c. Report findings:

   If sync needed:

   ⚠️ Delta specs may not be synced:
   - specs/auth/spec.md → Main spec missing requirement "Token Refresh"
   - specs/api/spec.md → Main spec doesn't exist yet
   
   Would you like to sync now before archiving?
   

   • Use AskUserQuestion tool with options: "Sync now", "Archive without syncing"
   • If user chooses sync, execute /opsx:sync logic (use the openspec-sync-specs skill)

   If already synced (all requirements found):

   • Proceed without prompting (specs appear to be in sync)

   If no delta specs exist: Proceed without sync-related checks.

5. Perform the archive

   Create the archive directory if it doesn't exist:

   mkdir -p openspec/changes/archive
   

   Generate target name using current date: YYYY-MM-DD-<change-name>

   Check if target already exists:

   • If yes: Fail with error, suggest renaming existing archive or using different date
   • If no: Move the change directory to archive

   mv openspec/changes/<name> openspec/changes/archive/YYYY-MM-DD-<name>
   

6. Display summary

   Show archive completion summary including:

   • Change name
   • Schema that was used
   • Archive location
   • Whether specs were synced (if applicable)
   • Note about any warnings (incomplete artifacts/tasks)

Output On Success

## Archive Complete

**Change:** <change-name>
**Schema:** <schema-name>
**Archived to:** openspec/changes/archive/YYYY-MM-DD-<name>/
**Specs:** ✓ Synced to main specs (or "No delta specs" or "⚠️ Not synced")

All artifacts complete. All tasks complete.

Guardrails

• Always prompt for change selection if not provided
• Use artifact graph (openspec status --json) for completion checking
• Don't block archive on warnings - just inform and confirm
• Preserve .openspec.yaml when moving to archive (it moves with the directory)
• Show clear summary of what happened
• If sync is requested, use openspec-sync-specs approach (agent-driven)
• Quick sync check: look for requirement names in delta specs, verify they exist in main specs