Spec-DrivenMaturity: Established

Spec-Driven Development (Living Docs)

Write the spec, keep it alive, and let it drive the code.

1 min read

What it is

Spec-driven development keeps the spec alive. The spec says what the system should do. It does not lock in the framework or the database. That keeps the document focused on business intent.

Why it matters

When behavior changes, update the spec first. Then regenerate the code. That keeps the spec useful instead of stale.

Sync loop

Click a side

Change the spec first. Regenerate second.

The spec carries intent.The code follows it.

The spec and the code move together.

Spec-driven loop in three steps

Business spec first, tests second, implementation third — then repeat.

Step 1/3

Write a business spec

Describe behavior without committing to technical details.

String spec = """
feature: Transfer money
rule: transfer fails when funds are insufficient
rule: successful transfer returns a receipt
""";

The spec names behavior, not framework choices.

loops to step 1