openspec-apply-change
Implement tasks from an OpenSpec change. Use when the user wants to start implementing, continue implementation, or work through tasks.
Best use case
openspec-apply-change is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Implement tasks from an OpenSpec change. Use when the user wants to start implementing, continue implementation, or work through tasks.
Teams using openspec-apply-change should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/openspec-apply-change/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How openspec-apply-change Compares
| Feature / Agent | openspec-apply-change | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Implement tasks from an OpenSpec change. Use when the user wants to start implementing, continue implementation, or work through tasks.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
Implement tasks from an OpenSpec change. **Input**: Optionally specify a change name. If omitted, check if it can be inferred from conversation context. If vague or ambiguous you MUST prompt for available changes. **Steps** 1. **Select the change** If a name is provided, use it. Otherwise: - Infer from conversation context if the user mentioned a change - Auto-select if only one active change exists - If ambiguous, run `openspec list --json` to get available changes and use the **AskUserQuestion tool** to let the user select Always announce: "Using change: <name>" and how to override (e.g., `/opsx:apply <other>`). 2. **Check status to understand the schema** ```bash openspec status --change "<name>" --json ``` Parse the JSON to understand: - `schemaName`: The workflow being used (e.g., "spec-driven") - Which artifact contains the tasks (typically "tasks" for spec-driven, check status for others) 3. **Get apply instructions** ```bash openspec instructions apply --change "<name>" --json ``` This returns: - Context file paths (varies by schema - could be proposal/specs/design/tasks or spec/tests/implementation/docs) - Progress (total, complete, remaining) - Task list with status - Dynamic instruction based on current state **Handle states:** - If `state: "blocked"` (missing artifacts): show message, suggest using openspec-continue-change - If `state: "all_done"`: congratulate, suggest archive - Otherwise: proceed to implementation 4. **Read context files** Read the files listed in `contextFiles` from the apply instructions output. The files depend on the schema being used: - **spec-driven**: proposal, specs, design, tasks - Other schemas: follow the contextFiles from CLI output 5. **Show current progress** Display: - Schema being used - Progress: "N/M tasks complete" - Remaining tasks overview - Dynamic instruction from CLI 6. **Implement tasks (loop until done or blocked)** For each pending task: - Show which task is being worked on - Make the code changes required - Keep changes minimal and focused - Mark task complete in the tasks file: `- [ ]` → `- [x]` - Continue to next task **Pause if:** - Task is unclear → ask for clarification - Implementation reveals a design issue → suggest updating artifacts - Error or blocker encountered → report and wait for guidance - User interrupts 7. **On completion or pause, show status** Display: - Tasks completed this session - Overall progress: "N/M tasks complete" - If all done: suggest archive - If paused: explain why and wait for guidance **Output During Implementation** ``` ## Implementing: <change-name> (schema: <schema-name>) Working on task 3/7: <task description> [...implementation happening...] ✓ Task complete Working on task 4/7: <task description> [...implementation happening...] ✓ Task complete ``` **Output On Completion** ``` ## Implementation Complete **Change:** <change-name> **Schema:** <schema-name> **Progress:** 7/7 tasks complete ✓ ### Completed This Session - [x] Task 1 - [x] Task 2 ... All tasks complete! Ready to archive this change. ``` **Output On Pause (Issue Encountered)** ``` ## Implementation Paused **Change:** <change-name> **Schema:** <schema-name> **Progress:** 4/7 tasks complete ### Issue Encountered <description of the issue> **Options:** 1. <option 1> 2. <option 2> 3. Other approach What would you like to do? ``` **Guardrails** - Keep going through tasks until done or blocked - Always read context files before starting (from the apply instructions output) - If task is ambiguous, pause and ask before implementing - If implementation reveals issues, pause and suggest artifact updates - Keep code changes minimal and scoped to each task - Update task checkbox immediately after completing each task - Pause on errors, blockers, or unclear requirements - don't guess - Use contextFiles from CLI output, don't assume specific file names **Fluid Workflow Integration** This skill supports the "actions on a change" model: - **Can be invoked anytime**: Before all artifacts are done (if tasks exist), after partial implementation, interleaved with other actions - **Allows artifact updates**: If implementation reveals design issues, suggest updating artifacts - not phase-locked, work fluidly
Related Skills
openspec-verify-change
Verify implementation matches change artifacts. Use when the user wants to validate that implementation is complete, correct, and coherent before archiving.
openspec-sync-specs
Sync delta specs from a change to main specs. Use when the user wants to update main specs with changes from a delta spec, without archiving the change.
openspec-propose
Propose a new change with all artifacts generated in one step. Use when the user wants to quickly describe what they want to build and get a complete proposal with design, specs, and tasks ready for implementation.
openspec-onboard
Guided onboarding for OpenSpec - walk through a complete workflow cycle with narration and real codebase work.
openspec-new-change
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.
openspec-ff-change
Fast-forward through OpenSpec artifact creation. Use when the user wants to quickly create all artifacts needed for implementation without stepping through each one individually.
openspec-explore
Enter explore mode - a thinking partner for exploring ideas, investigating problems, and clarifying requirements. Use when the user wants to think through something before or during a change.
openspec-continue-change
Continue working on an OpenSpec change by creating the next artifact. Use when the user wants to progress their change, create the next artifact, or continue their workflow.
openspec-bulk-archive-change
Archive multiple completed changes at once. Use when archiving several parallel changes.
openspec-archive-change
Archive a completed change in the experimental workflow. Use when the user wants to finalize and archive a change after implementation is complete.
vet
Run vet immediately after ANY logical unit of code changes. Do not batch your changes, do not wait to be asked to run vet, make sure you are proactive.
software-design-review
Analyzes code based on John Ousterhout's "A Philosophy of Software Design". Identifies unnecessary complexity, shallow modules, information leaks, and design problems. Use when reviewing architecture, PRs, refactoring, or asking about code quality.