Table of Contents

How to Create a Feature Specification

Use this guide to capture a new feature specification with /spec-kitty.specify.

When to Use

Run this when you are starting a brand-new feature and need a spec before planning or implementation.

The Command

In your agent:

/spec-kitty.specify <description>

Run it from the repository root checkout. Planning artifacts are created in kitty-specs/ on the mission's target branch, and no worktrees are created during specify. If you do not pass --target-branch, Spec Kitty uses the current branch.

The Discovery Interview

After the command, the CLI interviews you for missing details. You must answer each question before the spec is generated. Expect the agent to respond with WAITING_FOR_DISCOVERY_INPUT until the interview is complete.

What Gets Created

  • kitty-specs/###-feature/spec.md
  • kitty-specs/###-feature/meta.json
  • kitty-specs/###-feature/checklists/requirements.md

Example

/spec-kitty.specify Build a photo organizer that groups albums by date and supports drag-and-drop reordering.

During discovery, answer follow-up questions (roles, constraints, success criteria). Once complete, the spec is written to kitty-specs/<feature>/spec.md on the mission's target branch.

Troubleshooting

  • Stuck on discovery: Answer the remaining interview questions. The spec will not be created until the interview is complete.
  • Wrong directory: Run from the repository root checkout, not from a worktree.
  • Wrong landing branch: Check spec-kitty agent mission branch-context --json before creating the mission, or pass --target-branch <branch> explicitly.
  • Need to revise the spec: Re-run /spec-kitty.specify with the updated description and follow the interview again.

Command Reference

See Also

Background

Getting Started

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