Start a new OpenSpec change using the experimental artifact workflow. Use when the user wants to create a new feature, fix, or modification with a structured step-by-step approach.

Start a new change using the experimental artifact driven approach. Store selection: If the user names a store (a store is a standalone OpenSpec repo registered on this machine) or the work lives in one, run openspec store list json to discover registered store ids, then pass store <id on the commands that read or write specs and changes ( new change , status , instructions , list , show , validate , archive , doctor , context , schemas , view ). Once selected, treat store <id as sticky for the rest of the workflow. Every unscoped example of those commands below is shorthand: before running it, append the flag. For example, run openspec status change "<name " json store "<id " , not the unscoped form shown below. Other commands do not take the flag. Hints printed by commands already carry the flag; keep it on follow ups. Without a store, commands act on the nearest local openspec/ root. Project check: These steps expect a project that already uses OpenSpec. Before the first step that writes anything ( new change , archive , sync specs , or authoring an artifact file), confirm the project has a root: run openspec list json (with store <id when a store is selected, since the store is then the root) and read root . A root object means the project is set up. "root": null means it is not there is no openspec/ directory here, and a write such as openspec new change would create one as a side effect. The command also exits non zero, which is that answer rather than a broken CLI, so read the JSON instead of retrying or working around it. One "root": null is not about setup: when a status error message starts with Declared in or Invalid store declaration in and names this project's openspec/config.yaml (or config.yml ), the project does use OpenSpec through a store it declares, which this machine cannot resolve (the store is not registered, or the store: line is malformed). Do not treat it as uninitialized and skip the branches below: stop before writing and show the user that error's message and fix . Otherwise, with no root, what happens next depends on how this workflow was reached: Auto selected : you chose this workflow yourself, without the user naming OpenSpec, naming this skill, or running its slash command. Stop using OpenSpec and answer the request normally, as you would with no OpenSpec installed. Do not ask them to set anything up and do not mention OpenSpec setup. Explicit OpenSpec request : the user named OpenSpec, named this skill, or ran its slash command. Stop before writing and ask how to proceed: set this project up ( openspec init ), target a store they already have ( store <id ), or continue without OpenSpec for this request. Wait for their answer. In both branches, never create the root as a side effect: do not run openspec init until the user asks for it, do not hand create openspec/ files, and do not let a command create it. Input : The user's request should include a change name (kebab case) OR a description of what they want to build. Steps 1. If no clear input provided, ask what they want to build Ask the user (open ended, no preset options): "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. 2. Determine the workflow schema Use the default schema (omit schema ) unless the user explicitly requests a different workflow. Use a different schema only if the user mentions: A specific schema name → use schema <name "show workflows" or "what workflows" → run openspec schemas json and let them choose Otherwise : Omit schema to use the default. 3. Create the change directory Add schema <name only if the user requested a specific workflow. This creates a scaffolded change in the planning home resolved by the CLI. 4. Show the artifact status Use the returned planningHome , changeRoot , artifactPaths , and nextSteps instead of assuming repo local paths. 5. Get instructions for the first artifact The first artifact depends on the schema (e.g., proposal for spec driven). Check the status output to find the first artifact with status "ready". This outputs the template and context for creating the first artifact. 6. STOP and wait for user direction Output After completing the steps, summarize: Change name and location Schema/workflow being used and its artifact sequence Current status (0/N artifacts complete) The template for the first artifact Prompt: "Ready to create the first artifact? Just describe what this change is about and I'll draft it, or ask me to continue." Guardrails Do NOT create any artifacts yet just show the instructions Do NOT advance beyond showing the first artifact template If the name is invalid (not kebab case), ask for a valid name If a change with that name already exists, suggest continuing that change instead Pass schema if using a non default workflow

openspec-new-change