# Agentic Dev

> Use when developing features with OpenSpec spec-driven workflow, supporting both interactive and Ralph Loop automation modes

- Skill: `syntax-syndicate/agentic-dev` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 5 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add syntax-syndicate/agentic-dev`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/syntax-syndicate/agentic-dev/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Productivity
- Author: syntax-syndicate (https://skillmd.com/u/syntax-syndicate)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/syntax-syndicate/agentic-dev

---


# Agentic Development

Spec-driven development workflow with OpenSpec for change tracking. Supports both interactive (human-in-loop) and fully automated (Ralph Loop) execution.

## When to Use

```dot
digraph when_to_use {
    "New feature or change?" [shape=diamond];
    "Bug fix or typo?" [shape=diamond];
    "Use /agentic-dev proposal" [shape=box];
    "Fix directly, skip OpenSpec" [shape=box];
    "Proposal approved?" [shape=diamond];
    "Human available?" [shape=diamond];
    "/agentic-dev apply (interactive)" [shape=box];
    "/agentic-dev apply --mode=auto" [shape=box];
    "Implementation complete?" [shape=diamond];
    "Use /agentic-dev done" [shape=box];

    "New feature or change?" -> "Bug fix or typo?" [label="yes"];
    "Bug fix or typo?" -> "Fix directly, skip OpenSpec" [label="yes"];
    "Bug fix or typo?" -> "Use /agentic-dev proposal" [label="no - new capability"];
    "Use /agentic-dev proposal" -> "Proposal approved?";
    "Proposal approved?" -> "Human available?" [label="yes"];
    "Human available?" -> "/agentic-dev apply (interactive)" [label="yes"];
    "Human available?" -> "/agentic-dev apply --mode=auto" [label="no - Ralph Loop"];
    "/agentic-dev apply (interactive)" -> "Implementation complete?";
    "/agentic-dev apply --mode=auto" -> "Implementation complete?";
    "Implementation complete?" -> "Use /agentic-dev done" [label="yes"];
}
```

## Three-Phase Workflow

| Phase | Command | Output |
|-------|---------|--------|
| 1. Proposal | `/agentic-dev proposal` | OpenSpec proposal files |
| 2. Apply | `/agentic-dev apply <id> [--mode]` | Implemented code |
| 3. Done | `/agentic-dev done <id>` | Archived + specs updated |

## Phase Details

### Phase 1: Proposal

Creates OpenSpec change proposal through brainstorming:

1. **Understand context** - Check project state
2. **Ask questions** - One at a time, multiple choice preferred
3. **Propose approaches** - 2-3 options with trade-offs
4. **Incremental design** - Present in 200-300 word sections, validate each
5. **Create tasks** - Break into implementable tasks
6. **Generate OpenSpec files** - proposal.md, design.md, tasks.md, spec deltas

**Methodology:** `@prompts/brainstorming.md`

**Completion signal:** `<promise>PROPOSAL COMPLETE</promise>`

### Phase 2: Apply

**Two modes available:**

#### Interactive Mode (default)

```bash
/agentic-dev apply add-shortcuts
```

- Review checkpoints after each task
- Human can intervene between tasks
- Higher quality assurance

#### Auto Mode (Ralph Loop)

```bash
/agentic-dev apply add-shortcuts --mode=auto
```

- One task per iteration
- Self-review only
- Updates tasks.md as state machine
- Unattended execution

**Methodology:** `@prompts/tdd.md`, `@prompts/review.md`

**Completion signal:** `<promise>IMPLEMENTATION COMPLETE</promise>`

### Phase 3: Done

Completes and archives the change:

1. Verify all tasks completed in tasks.md
2. Verify tests pass
3. Present branch options (merge/PR/keep/discard)
4. Archive to OpenSpec
5. Validate specs updated

**Methodology:** `@prompts/branch-completion.md`

**Completion signal:** `<promise>ARCHIVE COMPLETE</promise>`

## Output Structure

```
openspec/changes/<change-id>/
├── proposal.md      # Metadata
├── design.md        # Architecture and approach
├── tasks.md         # Implementation tasks (state machine)
└── specs/           # Spec deltas
    └── <capability>/
        └── spec.md
```

## Methodology Files

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `@prompts/brainstorming.md` | Collaborative design exploration |
| `@prompts/tdd.md` | Test-driven development |
| `@prompts/review.md` | Self and code review |
| `@prompts/branch-completion.md` | Branch finishing workflow |

## Ralph Loop Integration

For fully automated implementation:

```bash
/ralph-loop "/agentic-dev apply <change-id> --mode=auto" \
  --completion-promise "IMPLEMENTATION COMPLETE" \
  --max-iterations 50
```

**Self-check mechanism:** Each iteration reads tasks.md, finds next uncompleted `- [ ]` item, executes it, updates to `- [x]`, outputs promise, stops. Ralph Loop re-invokes until all done.

## Promise Tags

| Event | Promise |
|-------|---------|
| Proposal complete | `<promise>PROPOSAL COMPLETE</promise>` |
| Single task done | `<promise>TASK N COMPLETE</promise>` |
| All implementation done | `<promise>IMPLEMENTATION COMPLETE</promise>` |
| Archive complete | `<promise>ARCHIVE COMPLETE</promise>` |

## Mode Comparison

| Aspect | Interactive | Auto |
|--------|-------------|------|
| Review | Self + checkpoints | Self only |
| Human | Can intervene | Unattended |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Quality | Maximum | Good (TDD enforced) |
| Use case | Complex features | Overnight runs |

## Prerequisites

- **OpenSpec** configured in project (`openspec/` directory)
- **ralph-loop** plugin (optional, for auto mode)

## Quick Reference

```bash
# Phase 1: Create proposal
/agentic-dev proposal
> I want to add keyboard shortcuts support...

# Phase 2: Implement (interactive - human present)
/agentic-dev apply add-shortcuts

# Phase 2: Implement (auto - Ralph Loop)
/ralph-loop "/agentic-dev apply add-shortcuts --mode=auto" --completion-promise "IMPLEMENTATION COMPLETE"

# Phase 3: Archive
/agentic-dev done add-shortcuts
```