Create Tech Spec

Purpose

Produce a detailed, actionable technical specification that a developer can implement without ambiguity. Covers system context, API contracts, data models, error handling, performance targets, and testing plan.

The tech spec is the engineering team's contract. It translates "what the product needs" into "how the system delivers it." A great tech spec is precise enough that a developer can implement without asking clarifying questions, and thorough enough that a reviewer can catch design issues before code is written.

Architecture/Decision Trees

Spec Depth Decision Tree

Is this a new feature or a change to existing functionality?
  |-- NEW FEATURE --> Full spec: context, API, data model, error handling, performance, testing, migration
  |-- CHANGE TO EXISTING --> Change spec: what changes, what stays the same, migration

Does this feature involve data model changes?
  |-- YES --> Include: new tables/fields, migration plan with rollback, data backfill strategy
  |-- NO --> Focus on: API contracts, business logic