When should I use the full SDD workflow versus a 'Spec-Light' approach?

The /flow:assess phase helps you decide; typically, complex features with architectural impact or security implications require full SDD, while minor tweaks can use a lighter version.

What is Spec-Driven Development (SDD)?

SDD is a methodology that prioritizes creating detailed specifications, technical research, and architectural plans before implementation, specifically designed to maximize the efficiency of AI-assisted development.

How do I transition between phases in the SDD workflow?

The skill uses specific commands like /flow:assess, /flow:specify, and /flow:plan to move a task through the lifecycle, ensuring all required documentation is created at each step.

What documentation does this skill help create?

It guides the creation of Assessment reports, Product Requirements Documents (PRDs), Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), and comprehensive QA/Security reports.

SDD Methodology

Name: SDD Methodology
Author: jpoley

byjpoley

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Productivity & Workflow

Guides developers through the Spec-Driven Development (SDD) workflow to ensure structured, high-quality, and well-documented AI-assisted software delivery.

The SDD Methodology skill provides a comprehensive framework for managing the software development lifecycle using the Spec-Driven Development approach. It guides teams through seven distinct phases—Assess, Specify, Research, Plan, Implement, Validate, and Operate—ensuring that requirements are clearly defined before a single line of code is written. By enforcing a 'specification-first' mindset and providing structured commands for transitions, this skill helps prevent common AI-coding pitfalls such as scope creep, architectural debt, and vague implementation goals. It is ideal for teams looking to bring industrial-grade discipline to their AI-assisted development workflows.

Key Features

01Built-in best practices for TDD and quality assurance checklists

02Anti-pattern detection to prevent skipped phases and documentation debt

03Standardized templates for PRDs, ADRs, and assessment reports

045 GitHub stars

05Structured seven-phase development lifecycle management

06Automated guidance for SDD state transitions and workflow commands

Use Cases

01Managing complex architectural changes that require rigorous planning and ADRs

02Standardizing software development processes across distributed AI-assisted teams

03Onboarding new developers to a structured, specification-first engineering culture

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add jpoley/flowspec sdd-methodology

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT

Download Skill