Skip to content

Methodology (Fork)

This fork extends Spec-Driven Development with Phase 0 for AI system ideation as a recommended prerequisite. The result is a complete workflow from idea exploration to execution, with explicit artifacts and validation gates.

An optional strategic pre-phase can be used before IDEATE:

  • /speckit.brainstorm -> .ideas/brainstorm-expansion.md
  • /speckit.execution-plan -> .ideas/execution-plan.md
  • /speckit.strategic-review -> .ideas/evaluation-results.md (+ .ideas/launch-blockers.md when needed)

These strategic artifacts feed Phase 0 context but do not replace Phase 0 artifacts or gates.

Spec-Driven Development (SDD)

SDD treats specifications as executable artifacts. Instead of starting with code, the workflow starts with structured specs and progressively narrows to implementation:

  1. Constitution - project principles and constraints
  2. Specify - functional requirements and user stories
  3. Plan - technical implementation choices
  4. Tasks - actionable breakdown
  5. Implement - execution against the plan

Why Phase 0

AI systems benefit from early ideation and validation before formal specs. Phase 0 provides that structure:

  • IDEATE: SCAMPER + HMW to generate a backlog of ideas
  • SELECT: AI-RICE scoring to choose a winner
  • STRUCTURE: Integrated AI Vision Canvas + Vision Brief
  • VALIDATE: Gate G0 checks (automated + manual)

This creates a defensible, documented rationale before the SDD pipeline starts.

End-to-End Workflow

  1. Optional Strategy Pre-Phase: BRAINSTORM -> EXECUTION-PLAN
  2. Phase 0: IDEATE → SELECT → STRUCTURE → VALIDATE
  3. SDD Core: CONSTITUTION → SPECIFY → PLAN → TASKS → IMPLEMENT
  4. Optional Pre-Launch Gate: STRATEGIC-REVIEW

Core Principles

  • Traceability: each decision has a documented artifact
  • Validation-first: checks are explicit and repeatable
  • Quality gates: Phase 0 and spec review block weak ideas early
  • Compatibility: upstream workflows remain intact

Key Artifacts

  • .spec-kit/ideas_backlog.md
  • .spec-kit/idea_selection.md
  • .spec-kit/ai_vision_canvas.md
  • .spec-kit/vision_brief.md
  • .spec-kit/approvals/g0-validation-report.md
  • .ideas/brainstorm-expansion.md
  • .ideas/execution-plan.md
  • .ideas/evaluation-results.md
  • .ideas/launch-blockers.md (conditional)
  • .specify/specs/<feature>/spec.md
  • .specify/specs/<feature>/plan.md
  • .specify/specs/<feature>/tasks.md

Next Steps

  • See quickstart.md for the shortest path to start
  • See walkthrough.md for a full step-by-step guide