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.
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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
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