speckit-initial

Spec Kit Initial Skill

Run specify init to initialize a Spec Kit project: pull .specify/ (memory, scripts, templates, specs) and register /speckit.* slash commands with the chosen AI Agent. This skill assumes the Specify CLI is already installed; if not, direct the user to speckit-install first.

When to Use

• First time enabling Spec Kit in a project ("initialize Spec Kit", "set up Spec Kit here").
• Switching AI Agent (e.g. from Claude to Cursor or Gemini).
• Initializing in a new or existing directory.
• Need PowerShell scripts on Windows (--script ps).

Prerequisites

• Specify CLI installed (see speckit-install). If specify is not in PATH, guide the user to run speckit-install before proceeding.
• Git (optional; use --no-git if the project is not a git repo or you want to skip git-related setup).

Workflow

1. Verify CLI

   • If the user reports "specify command not found" or has not installed the CLI, direct them to speckit-install first. Otherwise proceed.

2. Choose parameters

   • --ai (required for slash commands): claude | cursor-agent | gemini | copilot | windsurf | qwen | opencode | codex | qoder | amp | shai | bob | kilocode | auggie | roo | codebuddy — pick the agent the user will use in this project.
   • --script: sh (default, Bash) or ps (PowerShell). Use ps on Windows when the user needs PowerShell scripts.
   • Target: specify init . or specify init --here for current directory; or specify init <project_name> for a new subdirectory.
   • --force: Overwrite existing .specify/ if present (use with care).
   • --no-git: Skip git-related setup.
   • --ignore-agent-tools: Do not install or check agent-specific tools; only pull templates and .specify/ structure.
   • --github-token or GITHUB_TOKEN: For private repos or rate-limited access.

3. Run the command

   • Give a concrete command for the user's OS and chosen agent. Examples:
     • Current dir, Cursor: specify init . --ai cursor-agent
     • Current dir, Claude: specify init . --ai claude
     • Windows, Copilot, PowerShell scripts: specify init . --ai copilot --script ps
     • New subdir: specify init my-app --ai gemini

4. Confirm outputs

   • After success: project contains .specify/ (memory, scripts, templates, specs) and the Agent has /speckit.* slash commands available.

Outputs

• Project: .specify/ directory with memory, scripts, templates, and specs.
• Agent: Slash commands (e.g. /speckit.constitution, /speckit.specify, /speckit.plan) available in the chosen AI Agent.

Next Steps

• Run speckit-check to verify the environment (optional but recommended).
• Then use speckit-constitution or speckit-specify to start the Spec Kit workflow.

Different Environments

Environment	Example
Linux / macOS, Cursor	specify init . --ai cursor-agent
Linux / macOS, Claude	specify init . --ai claude
Windows, Copilot, PowerShell	specify init . --ai copilot --script ps
New subdirectory	specify init my-project --ai gemini
Overwrite existing .specify	specify init . --ai claude --force
No git	specify init . --ai claude --no-git
Templates only (no agent tools)	specify init . --ai claude --ignore-agent-tools

Troubleshooting

• "specify: command not found": Use speckit-install first.
• Windows slash commands not appearing: Ensure you used --script ps if the agent expects PowerShell, and that the agent is configured to load commands from the project.
• Private repo / rate limit: Set GITHUB_TOKEN or pass --github-token <token> as documented by spec-kit.

References

• GitHub spec-kit — Get Started: Initialize your project