create-specification▌
github/awesome-copilot · updated Apr 8, 2026
Generate structured, AI-optimized specification documents with standardized templates and machine-readable formatting.
- ›Creates specification files in /spec/ directory following naming convention spec-[purpose]-[type].md with YAML front matter for metadata
- ›Enforces structured markdown with 11 standard sections covering purpose, requirements, interfaces, acceptance criteria, and validation
- ›Includes explicit guidelines for unambiguous language, acronym definitions, and self-contained do
Create Specification
Your goal is to create a new specification file for ${input:SpecPurpose}.
The specification file must define the requirements, constraints, and interfaces for the solution components in a manner that is clear, unambiguous, and structured for effective use by Generative AIs. Follow established documentation standards and ensure the content is machine-readable and self-contained.
Best Practices for AI-Ready Specifications
- Use precise, explicit, and unambiguous language.
- Clearly distinguish between requirements, constraints, and recommendations.
- Use structured formatting (headings, lists, tables) for easy parsing.
- Avoid idioms, metaphors, or context-dependent references.
- Define all acronyms and domain-specific terms.
- Include examples and edge cases where applicable.
- Ensure the document is self-contained and does not rely on external context.
The specification should be saved in the /spec/ directory and named according to the following convention: spec-[a-z0-9-]+.md, where the name should be descriptive of the specification's content and starting with the highlevel purpose, which is one of [schema, tool, data, infrastructure, process, architecture, or design].
The specification file must be formatted in well formed Markdown.
Specification files must follow the template below, ensuring that all sections are filled out appropriately. The front matter for the markdown should be structured correctly as per the example following:
---
title: [Concise Title Describing the Specification's Focus]
version: [Optional: e.g., 1.0, Date]
date_created: [YYYY-MM-DD]
last_updated: [Optional: YYYY-MM-DD]
owner: [Optional: Team/Individual responsible for this spec]
tags: [Optional: List of relevant tags or categories, e.g., `infrastructure`, `process`, `design`, `app` etc]
---
# Introduction
[A short concise introduction to the specification and the goal it is intended to achieve.]
## 1. Purpose & Scope
[Provide a clear, concise description of the specification's purpose and the scope of its application. State the intended audience and any assumptions.]
## 2. Definitions
[List and define all acronyms, abbreviations, and domain-specific terms used in this specification.]
## 3. Requirements, Constraints & Guidelines
[Explicitly list all requirements, constraints, rules, and guidelines. Use bullet points or tables for clarity.]
- **REQ-001**: Requirement 1
- **SEC-001**: Security Requirement 1
- **[3 LETTERS]-001**: Other Requirement 1
- **CON-001**: Constraint 1
- **GUD-001**: Guideline 1
- **PAT-001**: Pattern to follow 1
## 4. Interfaces & Data Contracts
[Describe the interfaces, APIs, data contracts, or integration points. Use tables or code blocks for schemas and examples.]
## 5. Acceptance Criteria
[Define clear, testable acceptance criteria for each requirement using Given-When-Then format where appropriate.]
- **AC-001**: Given [context], When [action], Then [expected outcome]
- **AC-002**: The system shall [specific behavior] when [condition]
- **AC-003**: [Additional acceptance criteria as needed]
## 6. Test Automation Strategy
[Define the testing approach, frameworks, and automation requirements.]
- **Test Levels**: Unit, Integration, End-to-End
- **Frameworks**: MSTest, FluentAssertions, Moq (for .NET applications)
- **Test Data Management**: [approach for test data creation and cleanup]
- **CI/CD Integration**: [automated testing in GitHub Actions pipelines]
- **Coverage Requirements**: [minimum code coverage thresholds]
- **Performance Testing**: [approach for load and performance testing]
## 7. Rationale & Context
[Explain the reasoning behind the requirements, constraints, and guidelines. Provide context for design decisions.]
## 8. Dependencies & External Integrations
[Define the external systems, services, and architectural dependencies required for this specification. Focus on **what** is needed rather than **how** it's implemented. Avoid specific package or library versions unless they represent architectural constraints.]
### External Systems
- **EXT-001**: [External system name] - [Purpose and integration type]
### Third-Party Services
- **SVC-001**: [Service name] - [Required capabilities and SLA requirements]
### Infrastructure Dependencies
- **INF-001**: [Infrastructure component] - [Requirements and constraints]
### Data Dependencies
- **DAT-001**: [External data source] - [Format, frequency, and access requirements]
### Technology Platform Dependencies
- **PLT-001**: [Platform/runtime requirement] - [Version constraints and rationale]
### Compliance Dependencies
- **COM-001**: [Regulatory or compliance requirement] - [Impact on implementation]
**Note**: This section should focus on architectural and business dependencies, not specific package implementations. For example, specify "OAuth 2.0 authentication library" rather than "Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication.JwtBearer v6.0.1".
## 9. Examples & Edge Cases
```code
// Code snippet or data example demonstrating the correct application of the guidelines, including edge cases
```
## 10. Validation Criteria
[List the criteria or tests that must be satisfied for compliance with this specification.]
## 11. Related Specifications / Further Reading
[Link to related spec 1]
[Link to relevant external documentation]
Discussion
Product Hunt–style comments (not star reviews)- No comments yet — start the thread.
Ratings
4.5★★★★★34 reviews- ★★★★★Aditi Sanchez· Dec 24, 2024
I recommend create-specification for anyone iterating fast on agent tooling; clear intent and a small, reviewable surface area.
- ★★★★★Advait Kapoor· Dec 16, 2024
Registry listing for create-specification matched our evaluation — installs cleanly and behaves as described in the markdown.
- ★★★★★Meera Perez· Dec 16, 2024
Solid pick for teams standardizing on skills: create-specification is focused, and the summary matches what you get after install.
- ★★★★★Dhruvi Jain· Dec 4, 2024
Solid pick for teams standardizing on skills: create-specification is focused, and the summary matches what you get after install.
- ★★★★★Oshnikdeep· Nov 23, 2024
We added create-specification from the explainx registry; install was straightforward and the SKILL.md answered most questions upfront.
- ★★★★★Hassan Lopez· Nov 15, 2024
create-specification is among the better-maintained entries we tried; worth keeping pinned for repeat workflows.
- ★★★★★Advait Jackson· Nov 15, 2024
create-specification reduced setup friction for our internal harness; good balance of opinion and flexibility.
- ★★★★★Meera Gonzalez· Nov 7, 2024
Useful defaults in create-specification — fewer surprises than typical one-off scripts, and it plays nicely with `npx skills` flows.
- ★★★★★Meera Thomas· Nov 7, 2024
We added create-specification from the explainx registry; install was straightforward and the SKILL.md answered most questions upfront.
- ★★★★★Hassan Torres· Oct 26, 2024
I recommend create-specification for anyone iterating fast on agent tooling; clear intent and a small, reviewable surface area.
showing 1-10 of 34