Bug Description
Synchronize Spec Kit constitution updates across built-in and preset-provided templates
Problem
The explicit-task-dependencies preset supplies and activates its own tasks-template.md:
.specify/presets/explicit-task-dependencies/templates/tasks-template.md
The preset declares this template as replace, so it can supersede the built-in task template. A constitution update
that synchronizes only built-in templates can therefore leave the active preset template stale. A Sync Impact Report can
incorrectly report the preset template as updated because no automated validation verifies the effective template stack.
The synchronization mechanism must preserve every template provider's specialized content while applying applicable
constitutional guidance.
Scope
- Constitution updates must identify all effective templates: built-in, overrides, and enabled preset templates.
- A constitution amendment affecting task generation must synchronize both built-in and active preset task templates.
- The approach must generalize to templates supplied by any enabled preset, not hard-code this preset.
- Preserve each template provider's specialized content and associated generation behavior.
Proposed Resolution
- Add a reusable template-stack discovery mechanism for the constitution workflow. It must use the same precedence as
task-template resolution: template overrides, enabled presets ordered by priority, extension-provided templates, and
built-in templates.
- Update the
speckit.constitution agent/prompt checklist to enumerate every resolved template provider, including
preset templates and preset command files that replace generation behavior.
- Require constitution-driven task guidance to be propagated to every effective
tasks-template.md.
- Define a template-provider-agnostic synchronization contract that applies constitutional guidance without removing
provider-specific structure, instructions, or generation behavior.
- Make the Sync Impact Report derive its “updated” and “pending” template entries from the resolved template stack. It
must not mark a template as updated unless that file was actually reviewed and changed or explicitly verified as
already compliant.
- Add a validation that fails or reports a pending follow-up when the active replacement template omits mandatory
guidance present in the constitution-driven task-generation requirements.
Acceptance Criteria
Steps to Reproduce
n/a
Expected Behavior
n/a
Actual Behavior
n/a
Specify CLI Version
0.12.18
AI Agent
GitHub Copilot
Operating System
macOS 15.7.4
Python Version
3.14.5
Error Logs
Additional Context
No response
Bug Description
Synchronize Spec Kit constitution updates across built-in and preset-provided templates
Problem
The
explicit-task-dependenciespreset supplies and activates its owntasks-template.md:The preset declares this template as
replace, so it can supersede the built-in task template. A constitution updatethat synchronizes only built-in templates can therefore leave the active preset template stale. A Sync Impact Report can
incorrectly report the preset template as updated because no automated validation verifies the effective template stack.
The synchronization mechanism must preserve every template provider's specialized content while applying applicable
constitutional guidance.
Scope
Proposed Resolution
task-template resolution: template overrides, enabled presets ordered by priority, extension-provided templates, and
built-in templates.
speckit.constitutionagent/prompt checklist to enumerate every resolved template provider, includingpreset templates and preset command files that replace generation behavior.
tasks-template.md.provider-specific structure, instructions, or generation behavior.
must not mark a template as updated unless that file was actually reviewed and changed or explicitly verified as
already compliant.
guidance present in the constitution-driven task-generation requirements.
Acceptance Criteria
explicit-task-dependenciesas the active replacement fortasks-template.constitution.
already-compliant, and pending files.
incomplete.
Steps to Reproduce
n/a
Expected Behavior
n/a
Actual Behavior
n/a
Specify CLI Version
0.12.18
AI Agent
GitHub Copilot
Operating System
macOS 15.7.4
Python Version
3.14.5
Error Logs
Additional Context
No response