Check implementation against spec

SkillDev tools

Compare a pull request's implementation against spec context in spec_context.md and feed any material mismatches into review.json. Use during PR review when approved or repository spec context is available.

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Then ask your AI: use the Check implementation against spec skill

What this skill tells your AI

The instructions your AI receives, as published by warpdotdev/common-skills in .agents/skills/check-impl-against-spec/SKILL.md and read by ahel’s review.

Use this skill only when spec_context.md exists during PR review.

Goal

Determine whether the implementation in the checked-out PR materially matches the approved spec context. This is a supplement to the normal code review, not a separate output.

Inputs

  • spec_context.md contains the spec context to compare against. It may include both product spec content (intended behavior, acceptance criteria) and tech spec content (implementation details, file changes).
  • pr_diff.txt contains the annotated diff for the PR.
  • pr_description.md may contain additional scope or rationale.
  • The working tree contains the PR branch contents.

Process

  1. Read spec_context.md and extract the concrete commitments it makes:
    • required behaviors (from the product spec)
    • required files or subsystems to change (from the tech spec)
    • stated constraints
    • required follow-up steps, validation, or migrations
  2. Compare those commitments against the actual implementation in pr_diff.txt and the checked-out files.
  3. Treat small implementation-level adjustments as acceptable when they preserve the spec's intent. Do not flag harmless differences in naming, structure, or low-level technique.
  4. Flag a mismatch only when it is material, such as:
    • required behavior in the product spec is missing
    • the implementation contradicts a spec decision
    • the change introduces significant unplanned scope
    • a required validation, migration, or compatibility step from the tech spec is absent

Outputs

  • Do not create a separate report file.
  • Fold spec-alignment findings into review.json.
  • Put broad spec-drift concerns in the review summary.
  • Add inline comments only when the mismatch can be tied to changed lines in the diff.
  • Treat material spec drift as at least an important concern.
  • If the implementation matches the spec closely enough, do not add comments just to mention alignment.

Boundaries

  • Do not require literal one-to-one implementation of the spec when the PR achieves the same outcome safely.
  • Do not speculate about spec details that are not actually present in spec_context.md.
  • Do not post to GitHub directly.

Signals

GitHub stars
567
Forks
31
Last commit
Sep 2026
Advanced
Catalog kind
skill
Gateway key
check-impl-against-spec
Source
github.com/warpdotdev/common-skills