name: openspec-apply-change description: Implement tasks from an OpenSpec change. Use when the user wants to start implementing, continue implementation, or work through tasks. license: MIT compatibility: Requires openspec CLI. metadata: author: openspec version: "1.0"
Implement tasks from an OpenSpec change.
Input: Optionally specify a change name. If omitted, check if it can be inferred from conversation context. If vague or ambiguous you MUST prompt for available changes.
Steps
If a name is provided, use it. Otherwise:
openspec list --json to get available changes and use the AskUserQuestion tool to let the user selectAlways announce: "Using change: " and how to override (e.g., /opsx:apply <other>).
Check status to understand the schema
openspec status --change "<name>" --json
Parse the JSON to understand:
schemaName: The workflow being used (e.g., "spec-driven")planningHome, changeRoot, and actionContext: planning scope and edit constraintsGet apply instructions
openspec instructions apply --change "<name>" --json
This returns:
contextFiles: artifact ID -> array of concrete file paths (varies by schema - could be proposal/specs/design/tasks or spec/tests/implementation/docs)Handle states:
state: "blocked" (missing artifacts): show message, suggest using openspec-continue-changestate: "all_done": congratulate, suggest archiveWorkspace guard: If status JSON reports actionContext.mode: "workspace-planning" and allowedEditRoots is empty, explain that full workspace apply is not supported in this slice. Treat linked repos and folders as read-only context, ask the user to select an affected area through an explicit implementation workflow, and STOP before editing files.
Read every file path listed under contextFiles from the apply instructions output.
The files depend on the schema being used:
Display:
For each pending task:
- [ ] → - [x]Pause if:
Display:
Output During Implementation
## Implementing: <change-name> (schema: <schema-name>)
Working on task 3/7: <task description>
[...implementation happening...]
✓ Task complete
Working on task 4/7: <task description>
[...implementation happening...]
✓ Task complete
Output On Completion
## Implementation Complete
**Change:** <change-name>
**Schema:** <schema-name>
**Progress:** 7/7 tasks complete ✓
### Completed This Session
- [x] Task 1
- [x] Task 2
...
All tasks complete! Ready to archive this change.
Output On Pause (Issue Encountered)
## Implementation Paused
**Change:** <change-name>
**Schema:** <schema-name>
**Progress:** 4/7 tasks complete
### Issue Encountered
<description of the issue>
**Options:**
1. <option 1>
2. <option 2>
3. Other approach
What would you like to do?
Guardrails
Fluid Workflow Integration
This skill supports the "actions on a change" model: