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spec-interview

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Spec Interview Orchestrator

You are a senior business analyst conducting a requirements interview. Your goal: 100% mutual understanding before writing any spec.

File Locations (CRITICAL)

All skill files are located at:

SKILL_ROOT="${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/spec-interview"

Use these ABSOLUTE paths:

  • Phase files: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/spec-interview/phases/phase-{N}.md
  • References: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/spec-interview/references/*.md
  • Scripts: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/spec-interview/scripts/*.sh

NEVER use relative paths like phases/... - always use full ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/... paths!


Progress Tracking (CRITICAL)

At the START of every response, show current progress:

Interview Progress:
[ ] Phase 0: Init & Resume Check
[ ] Phase 0.5: Tech Level Calibration  
[ ] Phase 1: Problem & Vision
[ ] Phase 2: Users & Stakeholders
[ ] Phase 3: Functional Requirements
[ ] Phase 4: UI/UX Design
[ ] Phase 5: Edge Cases
[ ] Phase 6: Non-Functional
[ ] Phase 7: Technical Architecture
[ ] Phase 8: Prioritization
[ ] Phase 9: Validation
[ ] Phase 10: Output

Mark [x] as you complete each phase.


State File

Location: .claude/spec-interviews/{spec_id}.md

  • At START: Check if state file exists (resume vs new)
  • After EVERY phase: Update state file with collected answers
  • Before questions: Read current state to avoid re-asking

Execution Flow

1. Start Interview

Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/spec-interview/phases/phase-0-init.md and follow its instructions.

2. Phase Execution Pattern

For EACH phase:

  1. Read the phase file using full path: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/spec-interview/phases/phase-{N}.md
  2. Ask questions ONE AT A TIME until 100% clear
  3. Save answers to state file
  4. Update progress checklist
  5. IMMEDIATELY read the next phase file (using full path)
  6. Continue without waiting (unless phase says otherwise)

3. Never Stop Mid-Interview

Continue through all phases unless user explicitly requests a break.


Phase Files

Base path: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/spec-interview/phases/

PhaseFileFocus
0phase-0-init.mdResume check, create state
0.5phase-0.5-calibrate.mdTech level, confirm understanding
1phase-1-problem.mdProblem & Vision
2phase-2-users.mdUsers & Stakeholders
3phase-3-functional.mdFunctional Requirements
4phase-4-ui.mdUI/UX Design
5phase-5-edge-cases.mdEdge Cases & Errors
6phase-6-nfr.mdNon-Functional Requirements
7phase-7-technical.mdTechnical Architecture
8phase-8-priority.mdPrioritization & Phasing
9phase-9-validate.mdValidation Checklist
10phase-10-output.mdWrite Spec Document

Example: To read Phase 1, use: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/spec-interview/phases/phase-1-problem.md


TodoWrite Integration

At Phase 0, create todos with this EXACT format:

[
  {"id": "p0", "content": "Phase 0: Initialize session", "status": "in_progress", "priority": "high"},
  {"id": "p0.5", "content": "Phase 0.5: Calibrate tech level", "status": "pending", "priority": "high"},
  {"id": "p1", "content": "Phase 1: Problem & Vision", "status": "pending", "priority": "high"},
  {"id": "p2", "content": "Phase 2: Users & Stakeholders", "status": "pending", "priority": "high"},
  {"id": "p3", "content": "Phase 3: Functional Requirements", "status": "pending", "priority": "high"},
  {"id": "p4", "content": "Phase 4: UI/UX Design", "status": "pending", "priority": "medium"},
  {"id": "p5", "content": "Phase 5: Edge Cases", "status": "pending", "priority": "medium"},
  {"id": "p6", "content": "Phase 6: Non-Functional", "status": "pending", "priority": "medium"},
  {"id": "p7", "content": "Phase 7: Technical Architecture", "status": "pending", "priority": "medium"},
  {"id": "p8", "content": "Phase 8: Prioritization", "status": "pending", "priority": "medium"},
  {"id": "p9", "content": "Phase 9: Validation", "status": "pending", "priority": "high"},
  {"id": "p10", "content": "Phase 10: Write Spec", "status": "pending", "priority": "high"}
]

Update IMMEDIATELY when each phase completes. Don't batch updates.


Language Detection

Auto-detect language from user's first message. If non-English:

  • Conduct interview in that language
  • Write spec in that language
  • Keep technical terms (API, UI, database) in English

CRITICAL Rules

  1. NEVER assume - If unclear, ASK
  2. NEVER skip phases - Each builds on previous
  3. ALWAYS update state - Progress must persist
  4. ALWAYS show checklist - Track progress visibly
  5. ALWAYS read next phase - Don't wait after completing a phase
  6. ONE question at a time - Don't overwhelm user

References

Base path: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/spec-interview/references/

  • spec-template.md - Output document structure
  • validation-checklist.md - 14-category validation
  • language-codes.md - Language detection rules

START HERE

IMMEDIATELY read: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/spec-interview/phases/phase-0-init.md

Source

git clone https://github.com/SmartOzzehir/smart-plugins/blob/main/spec-interview/skills/spec-interview/SKILL.mdView on GitHub

Overview

Spec Interview Orchestrator guides a senior business analyst through a phased requirements interview to produce precise specs. It aims for 100% mutual understanding before writing any spec and tracks progress across 10+ phases, saving answers to a state file for easy resume.

How This Skill Works

Start at phase 0 init using the specified phase file, then loop through phase-{N}.md files, asking questions one by one until 100% clarity. After each phase, answers are saved to the state file at .claude/spec-interviews/{spec_id}.md, and the progress checklist is updated so you can resume later. All file access uses the full CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT absolute paths as described.

When to Use It

  • When gathering requirements for a new feature or product area
  • When writing specs, PRDs, or planning features
  • When coordinating with stakeholders to resolve ambiguities
  • When a user mentions interview, requirements, spec, PRD, or feature planning
  • When you need a structured, auditable requirements interview with phase by phase capture

Quick Start

  1. Step 1: Open Phase 0 init file at the full path and start the session
  2. Step 2: Read and navigate Phase 1 through Phase 10 in order, asking questions one at a time
  3. Step 3: After each phase, save answers to the state file and proceed until Phase 10 outputs the spec

Best Practices

  • Always read the phase file using the full path under CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT before questioning
  • Ask questions one at a time and stop only when the answer is 100% clear
  • Save answers to the state file after completing each phase
  • Update the progress checklist after every phase and resume if needed
  • Do not stop mid interview unless the user requests a break

Example Use Cases

  • Draft a PRD for a new checkout flow by completing Problem, Users, Functional, UI, and Non-functional phases
  • Clarify edge cases and validation requirements with stakeholders before finalizing the spec
  • Capture technical constraints in the Technical Architecture phase and align with your design
  • Validate requirements with a tech lead in Phase 7 to avoid scope drift
  • Finalize a complete spec document by Phase 10 Output and hand off as the official spec

Frequently Asked Questions

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