Openspec New Change

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. Select a workflow schema

   Run openspec schemas --json to get available schemas with descriptions.

   Use the AskUserQuestion tool to let the user choose a workflow:

   • Present each schema with its description
   • Mark spec-driven as "(default)" if it's available
   • Example options: "spec-driven - proposal → specs → design → tasks (default)", "tdd - tests → implementation → docs"

   If user doesn't have a preference, default to spec-driven.

3. Create the change directory

   openspec new change "<name>" --schema "<selected-schema>"
   

   This creates a scaffolded change at openspec/changes/<name>/ with the selected schema.

4. Show the artifact status

   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, spec for tdd). 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
• Selected schema/workflow 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
• Always pass --schema to preserve the user's workflow choice