OpenSpec Files

What's New in v1.9.0

New tool support, sharper validation, and safer spec rebuilds — plus clearer signals when you wander off the beaten path.

New

• Command Code support — openspec init --tools command-code installs the OpenSpec workflow skills and, as an adapter-backed tool, generates /opsx-* slash commands under .commandcode/commands/. (#1613, [#1622])
• openspec validate --archived — an opt-in check that every change in changes/archive/ has all its tasks.md boxes ticked, exiting non-zero if not. Perfect for a pre-commit or CI hook to catch work archived unfinished. (#1604)

Improved

• Honest root resolution — list, validate --all/--changes/--specs, and schemas now fail loudly (non-zero) outside an OpenSpec root instead of quietly resolving an empty one. Single-item validate <name> is unchanged. (#1612, [#1616])
• Authoring-time scenario safety — validate counts every #### child of a requirement as a scenario, catching a MODIFIED block that would drop one before archive deletes it. (#1521)
• Task-numbering warnings — validate flags duplicate task IDs and tasks under a mismatched ## N. group for spec-driven changes (enforced under --strict). (#1523)
• Quieter automation — archive uses plain-text prompts on non-TTY stdout (no stray escape codes in CI logs), and the first-run telemetry notice no longer intrudes on --json. (#1603, [#1609])
• Sharper guidance — the "Restart your IDE" hint shows only for IDE-resident tools, and the config picker now labels the update workflow. (#1610, [#1632])

Fixed

• Faithful spec rebuilds — syncing a delta preserves the blank lines around ## Requirements and ends the file with exactly one newline. (#1528, [#1637])
• Schema fork fidelity — openspec schema fork keeps comments, block-scalar style, and key order by editing YAML in place. (#1607)
• Shared-skills ownership — openspec update won't overwrite a vendor-neutral .agents skills tree (or flip its target) on a legacy Codex upgrade. (#1522)
• Apply-scope honesty — apply guidance now tells agents to surface out-of-scope work rather than silently defer it. (#1530)

New Contributors 🎉

Four developers shipped their very first OpenSpec contribution in this release — welcome aboard!

• @Marzx13 made their first contribution in [#1528]
• @Angelthebestone made their first contribution in [#1613]
• @Patodo made their first contribution in [#1616]
• @jwang513 made their first contribution in [#1637]

Thanks 💙

v1.9.0 is a community release through and through. A hearty thank-you to @alectimison-maker for continuing to sharpen validation (#1523), and to everyone who filed an issue, tested a build, or opened a PR this cycle. Every improvement here started with someone noticing something — please keep it coming.

Full Changelog: https://github.com/Fission-AI/OpenSpec/compare/v1.8.0...v1.9.0