name: kiro-spec-init
description: Initialize a new specification with detailed project description
allowed-tools: Bash, Read, Write, Glob, AskUserQuestion
argument-hint:
Spec Initialization
Execution Steps
- Check for Brief: If
.kiro/specs/{feature-name}/brief.mdexists (created by/kiro-discovery), read it. The brief contains problem, approach, scope, and constraints from the discovery session. Use this to pre-fill the project description and skip clarification questions that the brief already answers. - Clarify Intent: The Project Description in requirements.md must contain three elements: (a) who has the problem, (b) current situation, (c) what should change. If a brief.md exists and covers these, skip to step 3. Otherwise, ask the user to clarify before proceeding. Ask as many questions as needed; do not fill in gaps with your own assumptions.
- Check Uniqueness: Verify
.kiro/specs/for naming conflicts. If the directory already exists with onlybrief.md(nospec.json), use that directory (discovery created it). - Create Directory:
.kiro/specs/[feature-name]/(skip if already exists from discovery) - Initialize Files Using Templates:
- Read
.kiro/settings/templates/specs/init.json - Detect the language code from the selected project description source: use brief.md content when present, otherwise use the user's input language. If uncertain, select
jaas the repository default. - Select the matching requirements skeleton:
.kiro/settings/templates/specs/requirements-init.mdforja, or.kiro/settings/templates/specs/requirements-init.en.mdforen. Stop for unsupported languages. - Replace placeholders:
{{FEATURE_NAME}}→ generated feature name{{TIMESTAMP}}→ current ISO 8601 timestamp{{PROJECT_DESCRIPTION}}→ from brief.md if available, otherwise $ARGUMENTS{{LANGUAGE}}→ selected language code
- Ensure the selected language code and requirements skeleton language match before writing files
- Write
spec.jsonandrequirements.mdto spec directory
- Read
Important Constraints
- Do NOT generate requirements, design, or tasks. This skill only creates spec.json and requirements.md.
Output Description
Provide output in the language specified in spec.json with the following structure:
- Generated Feature Name:
feature-nameformat with 1-2 sentence rationale - Project Summary: Brief summary (1 sentence)
- Created Files: Bullet list with full paths
- Next Step: Command block showing
/kiro-spec-requirements <feature-name>
Format Requirements:
- Use Markdown headings (##, ###)
- Wrap commands in code blocks
- Keep total output concise (under 250 words)
- Use clear, professional language per
spec.json.language
Safety & Fallback
- Ambiguous Feature Name: If feature name generation is unclear, propose 2-3 options and ask user to select
- Template Missing: If template files don't exist in
.kiro/settings/templates/specs/, report error with specific missing file path and suggest checking repository setup - Unsupported Language: If language detection selects a code without a requirements skeleton, stop and report the unsupported language instead of mixing metadata and template languages
- Directory Conflict: If feature name already exists, append numeric suffix (e.g.,
feature-name-2) and notify user of automatic conflict resolution - Write Failure: Report error with specific path and suggest checking permissions or disk space