Markdown

--- name: kiro-spec-init description: Initialize a new specification with detailed project description ---

Spec Initialization

<instructions>

Core Task

Generate a unique feature name from the project description ($ARGUMENTS) and initialize the specification structure.

Execution Steps

  1. **Check for Brief**: If `{{KIRO_DIR}}/specs/{feature-name}/brief.md` exists (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.
  2. **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.
  3. **Check Uniqueness**: Verify `{{KIRO_DIR}}/specs/` for naming conflicts. If the directory already exists with only `brief.md` (no `spec.json`), use that directory (discovery created it).
  4. **Create Directory**: `{{KIRO_DIR}}/specs/[feature-name]/` (skip if already exists from discovery)
  5. **Initialize Files Using Templates**:
  • Read `{{KIRO_DIR}}/settings/templates/specs/init.json`
  • Read `{{KIRO_DIR}}/settings/templates/specs/requirements-init.md`
  • Replace placeholders:
  • `{{FEATURE_NAME}}` → generated feature name
  • `{{TIMESTAMP}}` → current ISO 8601 timestamp
  • `{{PROJECT_DESCRIPTION}}` → from brief.md if available, otherwise $ARGUMENTS
  • `{{LANG_CODE}}` → language code (detect from user's input language, default to `en`)
  • Write `spec.json` and `requirements.md` to spec directory

Important Constraints

  • Do NOT generate requirements, design, or tasks. This skill only creates spec.json and requirements.md.

</instructions>

Output Description

Provide output in the language specified in `spec.json` with the following structure:

  1. **Generated Feature Name**: `feature-name` format with 1-2 sentence rationale
  2. **Project Summary**: Brief summary (1 sentence)
  3. **Created Files**: Bullet list with full paths
  4. **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_DIR}}/settings/templates/specs/`, report error with specific missing file path and suggest checking repository setup
  • **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