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63 changes: 15 additions & 48 deletions docs/src/content/docs/patterns/spec-ops.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -3,28 +3,14 @@ title: SpecOps
description: Maintain and propagate W3C-style specifications using agentic workflows
---

SpecOps is a pattern for maintaining formal specifications using agentic workflows. It leverages the [`w3c-specification-writer` agent](https://github.com/github/gh-aw/blob/main/.github/agents/w3c-specification-writer.agent.md) to create W3C-style specifications with RFC 2119 keywords (MUST, SHALL, SHOULD, MAY) and automatically propagates changes to consuming implementations.

Use SpecOps when you need to:
- Maintain formal technical specifications
- Keep specifications synchronized across multiple repositories
- Ensure implementations stay compliant with specification updates
SpecOps is a pattern for maintaining formal specifications using agentic workflows. It leverages the [`w3c-specification-writer` agent](https://github.com/github/gh-aw/blob/main/.github/agents/w3c-specification-writer.agent.md) to create W3C-style specifications with RFC 2119 keywords (MUST, SHALL, SHOULD, MAY) and automatically propagates changes to consuming implementations across repositories.
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The PR description says the removed “References” section was duplicative because all three links were already present inline, but this page no longer links to RFC 2119 anywhere (only mentions “RFC 2119 keywords”). Consider adding a single inline link to RFC 2119 on first mention (or keeping a minimal references block) so readers can navigate to the normative definition.

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## How SpecOps Works

SpecOps coordinates specification updates across agents and repositories:

1. **Update specification** - Trigger a workflow with the `w3c-specification-writer` agent to modify the specification document with RFC 2119 keywords, version numbers, and change log entries.

2. **Review changes** - Review and approve the specification changes in the pull request.

3. **Propagate automatically** - When merged to main, agentic workflows detect the updates and analyze impact on consuming repositories.

4. **Update implementations** - Coding agents create pull requests to update implementations in consuming repositories (like [gh-aw-mcpg](https://github.com/github/gh-aw-mcpg)) to comply with new requirements.

5. **Verify compliance** - Test generation workflows update compliance test suites to verify implementations satisfy the new specification requirements.

This automated workflow ensures specifications remain the single source of truth while keeping all implementations synchronized and compliant.
1. **Update specification** — Trigger a workflow with the `w3c-specification-writer` agent to edit the spec document (RFC 2119 keywords, version bump, change log).
2. **Review changes** — Approve the specification pull request.
3. **Propagate automatically** — On merge, workflows detect updates and create PRs in consuming repositories (like [gh-aw-mcpg](https://github.com/github/gh-aw-mcpg)) to maintain compliance.
4. **Verify compliance** — Test generation workflows update compliance test suites against the new requirements.

## Update Specifications

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -75,8 +61,6 @@ Update the MCP Gateway specification using the w3c-specification-writer agent.
4. Create a pull request with the updated specification
```

The agent applies RFC 2119 keywords, updates semantic versioning, and creates a pull request.

## Propagate Changes

After specification updates merge, automatically propagate changes to consuming repositories:
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -126,18 +110,11 @@ The MCP Gateway specification has been updated. Propagate changes to consuming r
4. Create tracking issue linking all PRs
```

This workflow automatically updates consuming repositories like [gh-aw-mcpg](https://github.com/github/gh-aw-mcpg) to maintain compliance.

## Specification Structure

W3C-style specifications follow a formal structure:
W3C-style specifications require: Abstract, Status, Introduction, Conformance, numbered technical sections with RFC 2119 keywords, Compliance testing, References, and a Change log.
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Inconsistent capitalization for the section name: earlier the doc refers to a “Change Log” section, but here it says “Change log”. Consider standardizing the casing (e.g., “Change Log”) to match the rest of the page.

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**Required Sections**:
- Abstract, Status, Introduction, Conformance
- Numbered technical sections with RFC 2119 keywords
- Compliance testing, References, Change log

**Example**:
**Example RFC 2119 usage**:
```markdown
## 3. Gateway Configuration

Expand All @@ -146,28 +123,18 @@ The gateway SHOULD log validation errors with field names.
The gateway MAY cache validated configurations.
```

See the [`w3c-specification-writer` agent](https://github.com/github/gh-aw/blob/main/.github/agents/w3c-specification-writer.agent.md) for complete specification template and guidelines.
See the [`w3c-specification-writer` agent](https://github.com/github/gh-aw/blob/main/.github/agents/w3c-specification-writer.agent.md) for a complete template and guidelines.

## Semantic Versioning

- **Major (X.0.0)** - Breaking changes
- **Minor (0.Y.0)** - New features, backward-compatible
- **Patch (0.0.Z)** - Bug fixes, clarifications

## Example: MCP Gateway
| Bump | When |
|------|------|
| **Major (X.0.0)** | Breaking changes |
| **Minor (0.Y.0)** | New features, backward-compatible |
| **Patch (0.0.Z)** | Bug fixes, clarifications |

The [MCP Gateway Specification](/gh-aw/reference/mcp-gateway/) demonstrates SpecOps:

- **Specification**: Formal W3C document with RFC 2119 keywords
- **Implementation**: [gh-aw-mcpg](https://github.com/github/gh-aw-mcpg) repository
- **Maintenance**: Automated pattern extraction via `layout-spec-maintainer` workflow
The [MCP Gateway Specification](/gh-aw/reference/mcp-gateway/) is a live example — maintained by the `layout-spec-maintainer` workflow and implemented in [gh-aw-mcpg](https://github.com/github/gh-aw-mcpg).

## Related Patterns

- **[MultiRepoOps](/gh-aw/patterns/multi-repo-ops/)** - Cross-repository coordination

## References

- [W3C Specification Writer Agent](https://github.com/github/gh-aw/blob/main/.github/agents/w3c-specification-writer.agent.md) - Custom agent for writing W3C-style specifications
- [MCP Gateway Specification](/gh-aw/reference/mcp-gateway/) - Example specification
- [RFC 2119: Requirement Level Keywords](https://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2119.txt) - Keywords for technical specifications
- **[MultiRepoOps](/gh-aw/patterns/multi-repo-ops/)** — Cross-repository coordination
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