open-spec-apply

Installation
SKILL.md

Implement tasks from a working change.

Input: Optionally specify a change name. If omitted, check if it can be inferred from conversation context. If vague or ambiguous you MUST prompt for available changes.

Steps

  1. Select the change

    If a name is provided, use it. Otherwise:

    • Infer from conversation context if the user mentioned a change
    • Auto-select if only one directory exists under specs/changes/
    • If ambiguous, inspect available directories under specs/changes/ and ask the user to choose

    Always announce: "Using change: " and how to override (e.g., open-spec-apply <other>).

  2. Read the change artifacts

    Read the files that exist under specs/changes/<name>/:

    • proposal.md
    • design.md
    • tasks.md

    If tasks.md is missing, pause and ask whether to create it first with the open-spec-propose skill.

  3. Show current progress

    Display:

    • Change being used
    • Progress: "N/M tasks complete"
    • Remaining tasks overview
  4. Implement tasks (loop until done or blocked)

    For each pending task:

    • Show which task is being worked on
    • Make the code changes required
    • Keep changes minimal and focused
    • Mark task complete in the tasks file: - [ ]- [x]
    • Continue to next task

    Pause if:

    • Task is unclear → ask for clarification
    • Implementation reveals a design issue → suggest updating artifacts
    • Error or blocker encountered → report and wait for guidance
    • User interrupts
  5. On completion or pause, show status

    Display:

    • Tasks completed this session
    • Overall progress: "N/M tasks complete"
    • If all done: suggest using the open-spec-complete skill to sync specs/features/
    • If paused: explain why and wait for guidance

Output During Implementation

## Implementing: <change-name>

Working on task 3/7: <task description>
[...implementation happening...]
✓ Task complete

Working on task 4/7: <task description>
[...implementation happening...]
✓ Task complete

Output On Completion

## Implementation Complete

**Change:** <change-name>
**Progress:** 7/7 tasks complete ✓

### Completed This Session
- [x] Task 1
- [x] Task 2
...

All tasks complete! Use the `open-spec-complete` skill to sync `specs/features/` and clean up workflow artifacts.

Output On Pause (Issue Encountered)

## Implementation Paused

**Change:** <change-name>
**Progress:** 4/7 tasks complete

### Issue Encountered
<description of the issue>

**Options:**
1. <option 1>
2. <option 2>
3. Other approach

What would you like to do?

Guardrails

  • Keep going through tasks until done or blocked
  • Always read the available change artifacts before starting
  • If task is ambiguous, pause and ask before implementing
  • If implementation reveals issues, pause and suggest artifact updates
  • Keep code changes minimal and scoped to each task
  • Update task checkbox immediately after completing each task
  • Pause on errors, blockers, or unclear requirements - don't guess
  • Treat specs/changes/ as working state only; completion still requires syncing specs/features/

Fluid Workflow Integration

This skill supports the "actions on a change" model:

  • Can be invoked anytime: Before all artifacts are done (if tasks exist), after partial implementation, interleaved with other actions
  • Allows artifact updates: If implementation reveals design issues, suggest updating artifacts - not phase-locked, work fluidly
Related skills
Installs
32
GitHub Stars
3
First Seen
Apr 19, 2026