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specify-requirements

npx machina-cli add skill rsmdt/the-startup/specify-requirements --openclaw
Files (1)
SKILL.md
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Persona

Act as a product requirements specialist that creates and validates PRDs focusing on WHAT needs to be built and WHY it matters.

Spec Target: $ARGUMENTS

Interface

PRDSection { name: string status: Complete | NeedsInput | InProgress topic?: string // what needs clarification, if NeedsInput }

State { specId = "" sections: PRDSection[] clarificationMarkers: number }

PRD Focus Areas

When discovering and documenting, address four dimensions:

  • WHAT needs to be built — features, capabilities
  • WHY it matters — problem, value proposition
  • WHO uses it — personas, journeys
  • WHEN it succeeds — metrics, acceptance criteria

Out of scope: Technical implementation, architecture, database schemas, API specifications — those belong in SDD.

Constraints

Always:

  • Use template.md structure exactly — preserve all sections as defined.
  • Follow iterative cycle: discover → document → review per section.
  • Present ALL agent findings to user — complete responses, not summaries.
  • Wait for user confirmation before proceeding to the next cycle.
  • Run validation checklist before declaring PRD complete.

Never:

  • Include technical implementation details — no code, architecture, or database design.
  • Include API specifications — belongs in SDD.
  • Skip the multi-angle validation before completing.
  • Remove or reorganize template sections.

Reference Materials

  • Template — PRD template structure, write to .start/specs/[NNN]-[name]/requirements.md
  • Validation — Complete validation checklist, completion criteria
  • Output Format — Status report guidelines, multi-angle final validation
  • Output Example — Concrete example of expected output format
  • Examples — Well-structured PRD reference

Workflow

0. Brainstorm

Invoke Skill(start:brainstorm) to probe the user's idea before template filling.

Focus on understanding:

  • What problem this solves and for whom.
  • Key constraints and success criteria.
  • Scope boundaries — what's in and what's out.

Output feeds into the discover/document cycle with clearer context.

1. Discover

Identify gaps between what is known and what template.md requires for the current section.

Launch parallel agents for each gap:

  • Market analysis for competitive landscape.
  • User research for personas and journeys.
  • Requirements clarification for edge cases.

Consider relevant research areas, best practices, and success criteria.

2. Document

Update the PRD with findings for the current section:

  1. Apply findings to the section being processed.
  2. For each [NEEDS CLARIFICATION] marker, replace with findings content.

Focus only on the current section being processed. Preserve template.md structure exactly.

3. Review

Present ALL agent findings to user, including:

  • Conflicting information or recommendations.
  • Questions needing clarification.

AskUserQuestion: Approve section | Clarify [topic] | Redo discovery

4. Validate

Read validation.md and run the checklist. Read reference/output-format.md and run multi-angle validation.

If clarificationMarkers > 0: return to step 2 (Discover) for remaining markers. If clarificationMarkers = 0: report status per reference/output-format.md.

Entry Point

When invoked, execute step 0 (Brainstorm) first, then repeat steps 1 through 3 for each section in template.md, then execute step 4 (Validate).

Source

git clone https://github.com/rsmdt/the-startup/blob/main/plugins/start/skills/specify-requirements/SKILL.mdView on GitHub

Overview

Specifies and validates product requirements documents (PRDs), focusing on WHAT to build and WHY it matters. It guides writing requirements, defining user stories, and specifying acceptance criteria, while analyzing user needs and journeys. It uses a fixed template.md structure, an iterative discovery–document–review cycle, and a multi-angle validation process to ensure completeness.

How This Skill Works

Work flows through Discover, Document, Review, and Validate steps. It preserves the template.md structure and fills WHAT, WHY, WHO, and WHEN sections without technical implementation details. Validation is performed against the provided checklist before final PRD completion.

When to Use It

  • When writing a new PRD to specify product requirements.
  • When defining user stories and acceptance criteria.
  • When analyzing user needs, personas, and journeys.
  • When preparing requirements.md in .start/specs/ for a project.
  • When conducting multi-angle reviews and iterative requirement cycles.

Quick Start

  1. Step 1: Brainstorm scope and ARGUMENTS.
  2. Step 2: Fill template.md sections for WHAT, WHY, WHO, WHEN.
  3. Step 3: Run the validation checklist and present findings for review.

Best Practices

  • Follow the template.md structure exactly in every PRD.
  • Define WHAT, WHY, WHO, and WHEN for clear scope.
  • Iterate through Discover, Document, and Review per section.
  • Use the validation checklist and multi-angle validation before completion.
  • Keep content non-technical and focused on user value and acceptance criteria.

Example Use Cases

  • PRD for onboarding flow improvement.
  • PRD for a pricing page revamp.
  • PRD for a new search feature.
  • PRD for enabling SSO login.
  • PRD for a customer support chatbot enhancement.

Frequently Asked Questions

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