/openspec-propose

name: openspec-propose
description: Propose a new change with all artifacts generated in one step. Use when the user wants to quickly describe what they want to build and get a complete proposal with design, specs, and tasks ready for implementation.
allowed-tools: Bash(openspec:*)
license: MIT
compatibility: Requires openspec CLI.
metadata:
  author: openspec
  version: "1.0"
  generatedBy: "1.6.0"

Propose a new change - create the change and generate all artifacts in one step.

I'll create a change with artifacts:

• proposal.md (what & why)
• design.md (how)
• tasks.md (implementation steps)

When ready to implement, run /opsx:apply

---

**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`). 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**

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. **Create the change directory**

   openspec new change "<name>"

This creates a scaffolded change in the planning home resolved by the CLI with `.openspec.yaml`.

3. **Get the artifact build order**

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

Parse the JSON to get:

• `applyRequires`: array of artifact IDs needed before implementation (e.g., `["tasks"]`)
• `artifacts`: list of all artifacts with their status and dependencies
• `planningHome`, `changeRoot`, `artifactPaths`, and `actionContext`: path and scope context. Use these instead of assuming repo-local paths.

4. **Create artifacts in sequence until apply-ready**

Use the **TodoWrite tool** to track progress through the artifacts.

Loop through artifacts in dependency order (artifacts with no pending dependencies first):

a. **For each artifact that is `ready` (dependencies satisfied)**:

• Get instructions:

        openspec instructions <artifact-id> --change "<name>" --json

• The instructions JSON includes:
• `context`: Project background (constraints for you - do NOT include in output)
• `rules`: Artifact-specific rules (constraints for you - do NOT include in output)
• `template`: The structure to use for your output file
• `instruction`: Schema-specific guidance for this artifact type
• `resolvedOutputPath`: Resolved path or pattern to write the artifact
• `dependencies`: Completed artifacts to read for context
• Read any completed dependency files for context
• Create the artifact file using `template` as the structure and write it to `resolvedOutputPath`
• Apply `context` and `rules` as constraints - but do NOT copy them into the file
• Show brief progress: "Created <artifact-id>"

b. **Continue until all `applyRequires` artifacts are complete**

• After creating each artifact, re-run `openspec status --change "<name>" --json`
• Check if every artifact ID in `applyRequires` has `status: "done"` in the artifacts array
• Stop when all `applyRequires` artifacts are done

c. **If an artifact requires user input** (unclear context):

• Use **AskUserQuestion tool** to clarify
• Then continue with creation

5. **Show final status**

   openspec status --change "<name>"

**Output**

After completing all artifacts, summarize:

• Change name and location
• List of artifacts created with brief descriptions
• What's ready: "All artifacts created! Ready for implementation."
• Prompt: "Run `/opsx:apply` or ask me to implement to start working on the tasks."

**Artifact Creation Guidelines**

• Follow the `instruction` field from `openspec instructions` for each artifact type
• The schema defines what each artifact should contain - follow it
• Read dependency artifacts for context before creating new ones
• Use `template` as the structure for your output file - fill in its sections
• **IMPORTANT**: `context` and `rules` are constraints for YOU, not content for the file
• Do NOT copy `<context>`, `<rules>`, `<project_context>` blocks into the artifact
• These guide what you write, but should never appear in the output

**Guardrails**

• Create ALL artifacts needed for implementation (as defined by schema's `apply.requires`)
• Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one
• If context is critically unclear, ask the user - but prefer making reasonable decisions to keep momentum
• If a change with that name already exists, ask if user wants to continue it or create a new one
• Verify each artifact file exists after writing before proceeding to next