Spec-Driven Dev Tools
Guide to using OpenSpec, Spec Kit, and BMAD-METHOD for structured AI-assisted development
Spec-Driven Development is a methodology where specifications become the source of truth, guiding AI assistants to produce predictable, well-structured implementations. This guide covers three popular tools in this space.
Overview
All three tools work with popular AI coding assistants including Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and others.
| Tool | Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| OpenSpec | Change proposals and spec tracking | Brownfield projects, feature modifications |
| Spec Kit | Executable specifications | New projects, scenario-driven development |
| BMAD-METHOD | Full agile workflow with agents | Teams, enterprise projects |
OpenSpec
OpenSpec is a lightweight framework that enables humans and AI assistants to agree on specifications before implementation begins. It uses a two-folder model to track current specs and proposed changes.
Installation
Requires Bun or Node.js 20.19.0 or higher.
bun add -g @fission-ai/openspec@latest
openspec --versionQuick Start
Initialize in Your Project
cd my-project
openspec initThis creates the openspec/ folder with specs/ and changes/ directories.
Create a Change Proposal
Using the native slash command in Claude Code:
/openspec:proposal Add user authentication with OAuthOr via CLI:
openspec new "Add user authentication"Archive When Complete
openspec archive auth-feature --yesCommands Reference
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
openspec init | Initialize OpenSpec in current project |
openspec list | View active changes |
openspec view | Interactive dashboard |
openspec show <change> | Display change details |
openspec validate <change> | Check formatting |
openspec archive <change> | Move completed change to archive |
/openspec:proposal | Create new proposal (Claude Code) |
/openspec:apply | Implement approved changes (Claude Code) |
/openspec:archive | Archive completed changes (Claude Code) |
Spec Kit
Spec Kit is GitHub's open-source toolkit for Spec-Driven Development. It transforms specifications into executable implementations through a structured workflow of clarification, planning, and task generation.
Installation
Install globally with uv:
uv tool install specify-cli --from git+https://github.com/github/spec-kit.gitRun directly without installing:
uvx --from git+https://github.com/github/spec-kit.git specify init my-projectRequires Python 3.11+ and Git installed on your system.
Quick Start
Initialize a New Project
specify init my-project
cd my-projectDefine Project Constitution
Use the slash command to establish governing principles:
/speckit.constitutionPlan and Generate Tasks
/speckit.plan
/speckit.tasksCommands Reference
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
specify init <name> | Create new Spec Kit project |
specify check | Verify system requirements |
/speckit.constitution | Define project principles |
/speckit.specify | Create requirements and user stories |
/speckit.plan | Generate implementation strategy |
/speckit.tasks | Create actionable task list |
/speckit.implement | Execute tasks to build features |
/speckit.clarify | Clarify ambiguous requirements |
/speckit.analyze | Analyze existing code/specs |
/speckit.checklist | Generate verification checklist |
BMAD-METHOD
BMAD-METHOD is an AI-driven agile development framework with 12 specialized agents and 34 workflows. It adapts from quick bug fixes to enterprise-scale projects with compliance requirements.
Installation
bunx bmad-method@alpha installThe @alpha version is recommended. For legacy v4, use bunx bmad-method install.
Quick Start
Initialize Your Project
After installation, run the workflow initialization:
*workflow-initThis analyzes your project and recommends a development track.
Choose Your Track
BMAD-METHOD offers three tracks based on project complexity:
| Track | Use Case | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Flow | Bug fixes, small changes | < 5 minutes |
| BMad Method | Products and platforms | < 15 minutes |
| Enterprise | Compliance-heavy projects | < 30 minutes |
Work Through Phases
The framework operates in four phases:
- Analysis - Research and solution exploration
- Planning - Requirements and specifications
- Solutioning - Architecture and design
- Implementation - Development with validation
Specialized Agents
BMAD-METHOD includes 12 specialized agents:
Key Features
- Scale-Adaptive Intelligence - Adjusts planning depth automatically
- Multi-Language Support - Works with any programming language
- Token Optimization - 90% savings via document sharding
- Customizable Agents - Create domain-specific agents with BMad Builder