OpenSpec Archive Skill

When to Invoke

Automatically activate when user:

• Says "Archive this change", "Close the change", "Finalize change"
• Asks "Document this change", "Mark as complete", "Archive proposal [X]"
• Has completed an OpenSpec change that needs closure
• Mentions "archive", "close", "document", "finalize" with change context
• Uses words like: archive, close, document, finalize, complete, wrap up

Specific trigger phrases:

• "Archive this change"
• "Close change [proposal-id]"
• "Document the change"
• "Finalize the implementation"
• "Mark proposal [X] as complete"
• "Wrap up this change"

Prerequisites:

• OpenSpec change has been implemented
• Tests pass and validation is complete
• Deployment or rollout is done (or documented)

Do NOT invoke when:

• Change not yet implemented (use openspec-change-implementation)
• Tests failing or validation incomplete
• Missing approvals or sign-offs
• Change still in progress

Auto-document:

• Learnings and deviations
• Metrics (time, lines changed, tests added)
• Follow-up tasks if any

Mission

Document the outcome of Level 0-1 work, ensuring artifacts, approvals, and follow-up actions are captured before closing the OpenSpec workflow.

Inputs Required

• proposal: original proposal.md with approvals
• implementation_log: execution notes or commits from implement skill
• validation_evidence: test results or reviewer feedback

Outputs

• Archive summary (archive.md) with outcomes, metrics, and learnings (template: assets/archive-template.md.template)
• Updated proposal/tasks reflecting completion status
• Deployment or rollback notes stored with project documentation
• Canonical specs in openspec/specs/ synchronized with approved deltas

scripts/archive_change.py copies validated spec deltas from openspec/changes/<change-id>/specs/ into openspec/specs/.

Process

1. Verify closure conditions using CHECKLIST.md.
2. Gather final state: what shipped, what remains, and any deviations.
3. Record metrics, approvals, and validation evidence in archive.md.
4. Run scripts/archive_change.py <change-id> to merge spec deltas into openspec/specs/.
5. Capture learnings and recommended follow-up actions, then update artifacts and communicate closure.

Quality Gates

All checklist items must pass before marking work as archived.

Error Handling

• If validation evidence or approvals are missing, request them before closing.
• Surface outstanding tasks and assign owners if work cannot be fully archived.