Spec-Driven Development Guide

A comprehensive guide to systematic feature development using the three-phase spec process: Requirements → Design → Tasks.

Used by

• @kazini in their spec kit https://github.com/kazini/yask-spec-kit
• Amazon in internal presentations: "It’s the best stuff I have found on [spec driven development]. I will be sharing links back to your repo with full attribution."

🧭 Navigation Guide

New to spec-driven development? → Start with Methodology Overview
Ready to create your first spec? → Jump to Process Guide
Looking for examples? → Browse Examples & Case Studies
Need templates? → Get Ready-to-Use Templates
Working with AI? → Learn Prompting Strategies

📍 Need detailed navigation? → See Complete Navigation Index - Find content by role, problem, or learning style

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📚 Complete Table of Contents

🎯 Methodology

Learn the foundational concepts and philosophy behind spec-driven development

• Overview - Core concepts and benefits
• Philosophy - Why spec-driven development works
• When to Use - Decision framework and scenarios

📋 Process Guide

Step-by-step walkthrough of the three-phase workflow

• Requirements Phase - Gathering and structuring requirements using EARS
• Design Phase - Creating comprehensive design documents
• Tasks Phase - Breaking down design into actionable coding tasks
• Workflow Diagrams - Visual process flows and decision points

🧠 AI Reasoning

Insights into decision-making frameworks and thought processes

• Decision Frameworks - How choices are evaluated
• Thought Processes - Analysis and prioritization methods
• Examples - Real reasoning chains and decision points

💬 Prompting Strategies

Effective communication techniques for AI collaboration

• Strategies - Core prompting approaches
• Templates - Ready-to-use prompt patterns
• Best Practices - Tips for clear, effective communication

⚡ Execution Guide

Practical guidance for implementing features from specs

• Implementation Guide - Step-by-step execution strategies
• Quality Assurance - Testing and validation techniques
• Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions

📚 Resources

Curated references and learning materials

• Standards - EARS and industry standards
• Tools - Recommended tools and integrations
• Further Reading - Additional learning resources

📖 Examples

Real-world case studies and complete spec examples

• Simple Feature Specs - Basic feature examples
• Complex System Specs - Large system examples
• Case Studies - Success stories and lessons learned
• Troubleshooting & Pitfalls - Common mistakes and recovery strategies

📝 Templates

Ready-to-use templates and checklists

• Requirements Template - EAR

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