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Create Specification

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Generate AI-optimized specification files effortlessly.

by github37.7k stars on github/awesome-copilot
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Updated Aug 10, 2026
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What Create Specification does

The Create Specification skill is designed to assist developers and designers in generating structured specification files that are tailored for Generative AI consumption. It focuses on creating documents that clearly outline the requirements, constraints, and interfaces necessary for various solution components. This skill emphasizes the importance of clarity and structure, ensuring that the specifications are both machine-readable and human-friendly.

When utilizing this skill, users will follow a set of best practices aimed at producing unambiguous documentation. This includes using explicit language, avoiding idioms, and ensuring that all domain-specific terms are defined. The structured format of the specifications—incorporating headings, lists, and tables—facilitates easy parsing by AI systems, making it an essential tool for teams looking to integrate AI capabilities into their workflows.

The skill requires users to save their specification files in a designated /spec/ directory and adhere to a specific naming convention. This organization not only promotes consistency but also aids in the retrieval and management of specifications. The provided template guides users through the necessary sections, from defining the purpose and scope to detailing acceptance criteria and validation requirements, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all relevant aspects.

This skill is particularly beneficial for teams engaged in software development or system design where clear specifications are crucial. By streamlining the creation process, it allows teams to focus more on innovation and less on documentation, ultimately enhancing productivity and collaboration.

When to use it

Use this skill when you need to create a specification file that is optimized for Generative AI, particularly in software development or system design contexts.

When not to use it

This skill may not be suitable for informal documentation or when specifications do not require machine readability or structured formatting.

What you can build with it

Creating Software Specifications

Use this skill to generate detailed software specifications that outline requirements and interfaces for development projects.

Defining System Interfaces

Employ the skill to create clear documentation for system interfaces, ensuring all components are well-defined and understood.

Streamlining AI Integration

Utilize this skill to produce specifications that facilitate the integration of AI capabilities into your applications.

How to install Create Specification

View source

1. Install with the skills CLI

npx skills add github/awesome-copilot/create-specification --agent claude-code

2. Or install it manually

Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.

Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs

Inside SKILL.md

Written by github

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]

Frequently asked questions about Create Specification

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