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. license: MIT compatibility: Requires openspec CLI. metadata: author: openspec version: "1.0"
Propose a new change - create the change and generate all artifacts in one step.
I'll create a change with artifacts:
When ready to implement, run /opsx:apply
Input: The user's request should include a change name (kebab-case) OR a description of what they want to build.
Steps
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.
Create the change directory
openspec new change "<name>"
This creates a scaffolded change at openspec/changes/<name>/ with .openspec.yaml.
bash
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 dependenciesUse 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:
```bash
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
- `outputPath`: Where 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
- 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
bash
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