create-github-action-workflow-specification
Create a formal specification for an existing GitHub Actions CI/CD workflow, optimized for AI consumption and workflow maintenance.
Best use case
create-github-action-workflow-specification is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Create a formal specification for an existing GitHub Actions CI/CD workflow, optimized for AI consumption and workflow maintenance.
Teams using create-github-action-workflow-specification 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/create-github-action-workflow-specification/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How create-github-action-workflow-specification Compares
| Feature / Agent | create-github-action-workflow-specification | 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?
Create a formal specification for an existing GitHub Actions CI/CD workflow, optimized for AI consumption and workflow maintenance.
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
# Create GitHub Actions Workflow Specification
Create a comprehensive specification for the GitHub Actions workflow: `${input:WorkflowFile}`.
This specification serves as a specification for the workflow's behavior, requirements, and constraints. It must be implementation-agnostic, focusing on **what** the workflow accomplishes rather than **how** it's implemented.
## AI-Optimized Requirements
- **Token Efficiency**: Use concise language without sacrificing clarity
- **Structured Data**: Leverage tables, lists, and diagrams for dense information
- **Semantic Clarity**: Use precise terminology consistently throughout
- **Implementation Abstraction**: Avoid specific syntax, commands, or tool versions
- **Maintainability**: Design for easy updates as workflow evolves
## Specification Template
Save as: `/spec/spec-process-cicd-[workflow-name].md`
```md
---
title: CI/CD Workflow Specification - [Workflow Name]
version: 1.0
date_created: [YYYY-MM-DD]
last_updated: [YYYY-MM-DD]
owner: DevOps Team
tags: [process, cicd, github-actions, automation, [domain-specific-tags]]
---
## Workflow Overview
**Purpose**: [One sentence describing workflow's primary goal]
**Trigger Events**: [List trigger conditions]
**Target Environments**: [Environment scope]
## Execution Flow Diagram
```mermaid
graph TD
A[Trigger Event] --> B[Job 1]
B --> C[Job 2]
C --> D[Job 3]
D --> E[End]
B --> F[Parallel Job]
F --> D
style A fill:#e1f5fe
style E fill:#e8f5e8
```
## Jobs & Dependencies
| Job Name | Purpose | Dependencies | Execution Context |
|----------|---------|--------------|-------------------|
| job-1 | [Purpose] | [Prerequisites] | [Runner/Environment] |
| job-2 | [Purpose] | job-1 | [Runner/Environment] |
## Requirements Matrix
### Functional Requirements
| ID | Requirement | Priority | Acceptance Criteria |
|----|-------------|----------|-------------------|
| REQ-001 | [Requirement] | High | [Testable criteria] |
| REQ-002 | [Requirement] | Medium | [Testable criteria] |
### Security Requirements
| ID | Requirement | Implementation Constraint |
|----|-------------|---------------------------|
| SEC-001 | [Security requirement] | [Constraint description] |
### Performance Requirements
| ID | Metric | Target | Measurement Method |
|----|-------|--------|-------------------|
| PERF-001 | [Metric] | [Target value] | [How measured] |
## Input/Output Contracts
### Inputs
```yaml
# Environment Variables
ENV_VAR_1: string # Purpose: [description]
ENV_VAR_2: secret # Purpose: [description]
# Repository Triggers
paths: [list of path filters]
branches: [list of branch patterns]
```
### Outputs
```yaml
# Job Outputs
job_1_output: string # Description: [purpose]
build_artifact: file # Description: [content type]
```
### Secrets & Variables
| Type | Name | Purpose | Scope |
|------|------|---------|-------|
| Secret | SECRET_1 | [Purpose] | Workflow |
| Variable | VAR_1 | [Purpose] | Repository |
## Execution Constraints
### Runtime Constraints
- **Timeout**: [Maximum execution time]
- **Concurrency**: [Parallel execution limits]
- **Resource Limits**: [Memory/CPU constraints]
### Environmental Constraints
- **Runner Requirements**: [OS/hardware needs]
- **Network Access**: [External connectivity needs]
- **Permissions**: [Required access levels]
## Error Handling Strategy
| Error Type | Response | Recovery Action |
|------------|----------|-----------------|
| Build Failure | [Response] | [Recovery steps] |
| Test Failure | [Response] | [Recovery steps] |
| Deployment Failure | [Response] | [Recovery steps] |
## Quality Gates
### Gate Definitions
| Gate | Criteria | Bypass Conditions |
|------|----------|-------------------|
| Code Quality | [Standards] | [When allowed] |
| Security Scan | [Thresholds] | [When allowed] |
| Test Coverage | [Percentage] | [When allowed] |
## Monitoring & Observability
### Key Metrics
- **Success Rate**: [Target percentage]
- **Execution Time**: [Target duration]
- **Resource Usage**: [Monitoring approach]
### Alerting
| Condition | Severity | Notification Target |
|-----------|----------|-------------------|
| [Condition] | [Level] | [Who/Where] |
## Integration Points
### External Systems
| System | Integration Type | Data Exchange | SLA Requirements |
|--------|------------------|---------------|------------------|
| [System] | [Type] | [Data format] | [Requirements] |
### Dependent Workflows
| Workflow | Relationship | Trigger Mechanism |
|----------|--------------|-------------------|
| [Workflow] | [Type] | [How triggered] |
## Compliance & Governance
### Audit Requirements
- **Execution Logs**: [Retention policy]
- **Approval Gates**: [Required approvals]
- **Change Control**: [Update process]
### Security Controls
- **Access Control**: [Permission model]
- **Secret Management**: [Rotation policy]
- **Vulnerability Scanning**: [Scan frequency]
## Edge Cases & Exceptions
### Scenario Matrix
| Scenario | Expected Behavior | Validation Method |
|----------|-------------------|-------------------|
| [Edge case] | [Behavior] | [How to verify] |
## Validation Criteria
### Workflow Validation
- **VLD-001**: [Validation rule]
- **VLD-002**: [Validation rule]
### Performance Benchmarks
- **PERF-001**: [Benchmark criteria]
- **PERF-002**: [Benchmark criteria]
## Change Management
### Update Process
1. **Specification Update**: Modify this document first
2. **Review & Approval**: [Approval process]
3. **Implementation**: Apply changes to workflow
4. **Testing**: [Validation approach]
5. **Deployment**: [Release process]
### Version History
| Version | Date | Changes | Author |
|---------|------|---------|--------|
| 1.0 | [Date] | Initial specification | [Author] |
## Related Specifications
- [Link to related workflow specs]
- [Link to infrastructure specs]
- [Link to deployment specs]
```
## Analysis Instructions
When analyzing the workflow file:
1. **Extract Core Purpose**: Identify the primary business objective
2. **Map Job Flow**: Create dependency graph showing execution order
3. **Identify Contracts**: Document inputs, outputs, and interfaces
4. **Capture Constraints**: Extract timeouts, permissions, and limits
5. **Define Quality Gates**: Identify validation and approval points
6. **Document Error Paths**: Map failure scenarios and recovery
7. **Abstract Implementation**: Focus on behavior, not syntax
## Mermaid Diagram Guidelines
### Flow Types
- **Sequential**: `A --> B --> C`
- **Parallel**: `A --> B & A --> C; B --> D & C --> D`
- **Conditional**: `A --> B{Decision}; B -->|Yes| C; B -->|No| D`
### Styling
```mermaid
style TriggerNode fill:#e1f5fe
style SuccessNode fill:#e8f5e8
style FailureNode fill:#ffebee
style ProcessNode fill:#f3e5f5
```
### Complex Workflows
For workflows with 5+ jobs, use subgraphs:
```mermaid
graph TD
subgraph "Build Phase"
A[Lint] --> B[Test] --> C[Build]
end
subgraph "Deploy Phase"
D[Staging] --> E[Production]
end
C --> D
```
## Token Optimization Strategies
1. **Use Tables**: Dense information in structured format
2. **Abbreviate Consistently**: Define once, use throughout
3. **Bullet Points**: Avoid prose paragraphs
4. **Code Blocks**: Structured data over narrative
5. **Cross-Reference**: Link instead of repeat information
Focus on creating a specification that serves as both documentation and a template for workflow updates.Related Skills
creating-github-issues-from-web-research
This skill enhances Claude's ability to conduct web research and translate findings into actionable GitHub issues. It automates the process of extracting key information from web search results and formatting it into a well-structured issue, ready for team action. Use this skill when you need to research a topic and create a corresponding GitHub issue for tracking, collaboration, and task management. Trigger this skill by requesting Claude to "research [topic] and create a ticket" or "find [information] and generate a GitHub issue".
traction-eos
Implement the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to align vision and execution across a company. Use when the user mentions "EOS", "V/TO", "quarterly rocks", "Level 10 meetings", "accountability chart", or "IDS process". Covers the six EOS components: Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, Traction. For team motivation design, see drive-motivation. For lean experimentation, see lean-startup. Trigger with 'traction', 'eos'.
step-functions-workflow
Step Functions Workflow - Auto-activating skill for AWS Skills. Triggers on: step functions workflow, step functions workflow Part of the AWS Skills skill category.
sprint-workflow
Execute this skill should be used when the user asks about "how sprints work", "sprint phases", "iteration workflow", "convergent development", "sprint lifecycle", "when to use sprints", or wants to understand the sprint execution model and its convergent diffusion approach. Use when appropriate context detected. Trigger with relevant phrases based on skill purpose.
navigating-github
First-time GitHub setup and interactive git learning. Walks users from zero to a working GitHub repo, then teaches git through 9 hands-on lessons on their actual project. Adapts language and depth to skill level — inferred from environment, not questionnaires. Two modes: Setup (guided onboarding) and Learn (progressive curriculum from commits to CI/CD). Use when the user asks to set up GitHub, learn git, or says "teach me github". Trigger with "set up my repo", "help me with github", "teach me github", "learn git", "what are branches", "teach me PRs", or "how do I use github".
n8n-workflow-generator
N8N Workflow Generator - Auto-activating skill for Business Automation. Triggers on: n8n workflow generator, n8n workflow generator Part of the Business Automation skill category.
monitoring-database-transactions
Monitor use when you need to work with monitoring and observability. This skill provides health monitoring and alerting with comprehensive guidance and automation. Trigger with phrases like "monitor system health", "set up alerts", or "track metrics".
jira-workflow-creator
Jira Workflow Creator - Auto-activating skill for Enterprise Workflows. Triggers on: jira workflow creator, jira workflow creator Part of the Enterprise Workflows skill category.
building-gitops-workflows
This skill enables Claude to construct GitOps workflows using ArgoCD and Flux. It is designed to generate production-ready configurations, implement best practices, and ensure a security-first approach for Kubernetes deployments. Use this skill when the user explicitly requests "GitOps workflow", "ArgoCD", "Flux", or asks for help with setting up a continuous delivery pipeline using GitOps principles. The skill will generate the necessary configuration files and setup code based on the user's specific requirements and infrastructure.
github-project-setup
Github Project Setup - Auto-activating skill for Enterprise Workflows. Triggers on: github project setup, github project setup Part of the Enterprise Workflows skill category.
github-actions-starter
Github Actions Starter - Auto-activating skill for DevOps Basics. Triggers on: github actions starter, github actions starter Part of the DevOps Basics skill category.
git-workflow-manager
Git Workflow Manager - Auto-activating skill for DevOps Basics. Triggers on: git workflow manager, git workflow manager Part of the DevOps Basics skill category.