skill CX Codex

gjalla-spec — Claude Code skill: what it does, how to install

Q: How to install gjalla-spec in Claude Code?

Run `npx skills add gjalla/engineering --skill gjalla-spec -a claude-code`. The skill file will be placed in `~/.claude/skills/gjalla-spec/SKILL.md`.

Prompts AI coding agents to produce detailed technical specifications, threat models, and testing criteria before touching project code.

Install into Claude Code · Skills CLI (Vercel) All methods and platforms ↓

npx skills add gjalla/engineering --skill gjalla-spec -a claude-code

Open on GitHub

What gjalla-spec does

This skill guides coding assistants through a structured pre-implementation phase. The agent first inspects the system architecture and data flows using the gjalla CLI or MCP server. If requirements remain ambiguous, it asks the developer direct questions instead of guessing. Once the context is clear, gjalla spec new generates a fresh document scaffold.

The resulting specification outlines problem definitions, security implications, and rollback steps. Every behavioral expectation must name the specific file and function responsible for enforcing it. The workflow also mandates identifying at least one test that fails immediately and passes only after completion. Without the gjalla toolchain installed locally, scaffolding and merging specs will fail.

The agent cannot write code immediately. It presents the draft through native plan modes or text output and pauses for explicit human review. Implementation starts only after direct developer approval.

What it helps with

Draft a technical specification prior to editing source code
Map out security boundaries and potential vulnerabilities in advance
Define a failing test case to verify the upcoming implementation
Enforce human approval gates before code changes begin

Example prompts for the agent

Plan the new authentication flow using gjalla-spec
Draft a change specification for refactoring the payment processor
Create an implementation plan with security checks for the file upload endpoint

How to install gjalla-spec

1Skills CLI (Vercel)

npx skills add gjalla/engineering --skill gjalla-spec -a claude-code

2Manually: put the files in place

~/.claude/skills/gjalla-spec/SKILL.md

Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/gjalla-spec/

1Skills CLI (Vercel)

npx skills add gjalla/engineering --skill gjalla-spec -a codex

2Manually: put the files in place

.agents/skills/gjalla-spec/SKILL.md

For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

1Skills CLI (Vercel)

npx skills add gjalla/engineering --skill gjalla-spec -a cursor

2Manually: put the files in place

.cursor/skills/gjalla-spec/SKILL.md

Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

1GitHub CLI

gh skill install gjalla/engineering gjalla-spec

2Manually: put the files in place

.github/skills/gjalla-spec/SKILL.md

1Skills CLI (Vercel)

npx skills add gjalla/engineering --skill gjalla-spec -a gemini-cli

2Platform CLI

gemini skills install https://github.com/gjalla/engineering --path skills/gjalla-spec

Manually: put the files in place

.devin/skills/gjalla-spec/SKILL.md

The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

Skills CLI (Vercel)

npx skills add gjalla/engineering --skill gjalla-spec -a opencode

Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to install skills in Claude Code: five ways

Questions about gjalla-spec

How to install gjalla-spec in Claude Code?

Run npx skills add gjalla/engineering --skill gjalla-spec -a claude-code. The skill file will be placed in ~/.claude/skills/gjalla-spec/SKILL.md.

What does gjalla-spec do?

It forces the AI assistant to inspect the architecture, scaffold a change spec with gjalla spec new, and define verification criteria before editing code.

Can the agent start coding without human approval?

No. The skill instructs the agent to present the plan and wait for explicit developer approval before making any code modifications.

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From the same set5

gjalla-spec-review A skill that reads a plan or spec through several expert lenses and lists blocking issues before implementation starts. CX Codex +1 893installs gjalla-test-audit Audits test suites to uncover false confidence, over-mocked logic, and assertions that conceal code regressions. Helpful when hardening test suites before major updates. CX Codex +1 878installs gjalla-prepare-and-commit Prepares staged code for clean commits by verifying tests and splitting mixed diffs. It formats change reports for human review. CX Codex +1 857installs gjalla-breakdown This skill turns a finished feature spec into dependency-ordered work waves and small tasks. Use it before implementation when progress needs a clear structure. CX Codex +1 856installs