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.
Best use case
openspec-sync-specs is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
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.
Teams using openspec-sync-specs 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-sync-specs/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How openspec-sync-specs Compares
| Feature / Agent | openspec-sync-specs | 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?
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.
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
Sync delta specs from a change to main specs.
This is an **agent-driven** operation - you will read delta specs and directly edit main specs to apply the changes. This allows intelligent merging (e.g., adding a scenario without copying the entire requirement).
**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. **If no change name provided, prompt for selection**
Run `openspec list --json` to get available changes. Use the **AskUserQuestion tool** to let the user select.
Show changes that have delta specs (under `specs/` directory).
**IMPORTANT**: Do NOT guess or auto-select a change. Always let the user choose.
2. **Find delta specs**
Look for delta spec files in `openspec/changes/<name>/specs/*/spec.md`.
Each delta spec file contains sections like:
- `## ADDED Requirements` - New requirements to add
- `## MODIFIED Requirements` - Changes to existing requirements
- `## REMOVED Requirements` - Requirements to remove
- `## RENAMED Requirements` - Requirements to rename (FROM:/TO: format)
If no delta specs found, inform user and stop.
3. **For each delta spec, apply changes to main specs**
For each capability with a delta spec at `openspec/changes/<name>/specs/<capability>/spec.md`:
a. **Read the delta spec** to understand the intended changes
b. **Read the main spec** at `openspec/specs/<capability>/spec.md` (may not exist yet)
c. **Apply changes intelligently**:
**ADDED Requirements:**
- If requirement doesn't exist in main spec → add it
- If requirement already exists → update it to match (treat as implicit MODIFIED)
**MODIFIED Requirements:**
- Find the requirement in main spec
- Apply the changes - this can be:
- Adding new scenarios (don't need to copy existing ones)
- Modifying existing scenarios
- Changing the requirement description
- Preserve scenarios/content not mentioned in the delta
**REMOVED Requirements:**
- Remove the entire requirement block from main spec
**RENAMED Requirements:**
- Find the FROM requirement, rename to TO
d. **Create new main spec** if capability doesn't exist yet:
- Create `openspec/specs/<capability>/spec.md`
- Add Purpose section (can be brief, mark as TBD)
- Add Requirements section with the ADDED requirements
4. **Show summary**
After applying all changes, summarize:
- Which capabilities were updated
- What changes were made (requirements added/modified/removed/renamed)
**Delta Spec Format Reference**
```markdown
## ADDED Requirements
### Requirement: New Feature
The system SHALL do something new.
#### Scenario: Basic case
- **WHEN** user does X
- **THEN** system does Y
## MODIFIED Requirements
### Requirement: Existing Feature
#### Scenario: New scenario to add
- **WHEN** user does A
- **THEN** system does B
## REMOVED Requirements
### Requirement: Deprecated Feature
## RENAMED Requirements
- FROM: `### Requirement: Old Name`
- TO: `### Requirement: New Name`
```
**Key Principle: Intelligent Merging**
Unlike programmatic merging, you can apply **partial updates**:
- To add a scenario, just include that scenario under MODIFIED - don't copy existing scenarios
- The delta represents *intent*, not a wholesale replacement
- Use your judgment to merge changes sensibly
**Output On Success**
```
## Specs Synced: <change-name>
Updated main specs:
**<capability-1>**:
- Added requirement: "New Feature"
- Modified requirement: "Existing Feature" (added 1 scenario)
**<capability-2>**:
- Created new spec file
- Added requirement: "Another Feature"
Main specs are now updated. The change remains active - archive when implementation is complete.
```
**Guardrails**
- Read both delta and main specs before making changes
- Preserve existing content not mentioned in delta
- If something is unclear, ask for clarification
- Show what you're changing as you go
- The operation should be idempotent - running twice should give same resultRelated Skills
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openspec-bulk-archive-change
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openspec-archive-change
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