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63 changes: 63 additions & 0 deletions README.md
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- [🚶 Community Walkthroughs](#-community-walkthroughs)
- [🤖 Supported AI Agents](#-supported-ai-agents)
- [🔧 Specify CLI Reference](#-specify-cli-reference)
- [🧩 Making Spec Kit Your Own: Extensions & Presets](#-making-spec-kit-your-own-extensions--presets)
- [📚 Core Philosophy](#-core-philosophy)
- [🌟 Development Phases](#-development-phases)
- [🎯 Experimental Goals](#-experimental-goals)
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| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `SPECIFY_FEATURE` | Override feature detection for non-Git repositories. Set to the feature directory name (e.g., `001-photo-albums`) to work on a specific feature when not using Git branches.<br/>\*\*Must be set in the context of the agent you're working with prior to using `/speckit.plan` or follow-up commands. |

## 🧩 Making Spec Kit Your Own: Extensions & Presets

Spec Kit can be tailored to your needs through two complementary systems:

```mermaid
block-beta
columns 1
overrides["⬆ Highest priority\nProject-Local Overrides\n.specify/templates/overrides/"]
presets["Presets — Customize core & extensions\n.specify/presets/‹preset›/"]
extensions["Extensions — Add new capabilities\n.specify/extensions/‹ext›/"]
core["Spec Kit Core — Built-in SDD commands & templates\n.specify/templates/\n⬇ Lowest priority"]
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style overrides fill:transparent,stroke:#999
style presets fill:transparent,stroke:#4a9eda
style extensions fill:transparent,stroke:#4a9e4a
style core fill:transparent,stroke:#e6a817
```

Templates and commands resolve top-down: the first match wins. If no overrides or customizations exist, Spec Kit uses its core defaults.

### Extensions — Add New Capabilities

Use **extensions** when you need functionality that goes beyond Spec Kit's core. Extensions introduce new commands and templates — for example, adding domain-specific workflows that are not covered by the built-in SDD commands, integrating with external tools, or adding entirely new development phases. They expand *what Spec Kit can do*.

```bash
# Search available extensions
specify extension search

# Install an extension
specify extension add <extension-name>
```

For example, extensions could add Jira integration, post-implementation code review, V-Model test traceability, or project health diagnostics.

See the [Extensions README](./extensions/README.md) for the full guide, the complete community catalog, and how to build and publish your own.

### Presets — Customize Existing Workflows

Use **presets** when you want to change *how* Spec Kit works without adding new capabilities. Presets override the templates and commands that ship with the core *and* with installed extensions — for example, enforcing a compliance-oriented spec format, using domain-specific terminology, or applying organizational standards to plans and tasks. They customize the artifacts and instructions that Spec Kit and its extensions produce.

```bash
# Search available presets
specify preset search

# Install a preset
specify preset add <preset-name>
```

For example, presets could restructure spec templates to require regulatory traceability, adapt the workflow to fit the methodology you use (e.g., Agile, Kanban, Waterfall, jobs-to-be-done, or domain-driven design), add mandatory security review gates to plans, enforce test-first task ordering, or localize the entire workflow to a different language. The [pirate-speak demo](https://github.com/mnriem/spec-kit-pirate-speak-preset-demo) shows just how deep the customization can go. Multiple presets can be stacked with priority ordering.

See the [Presets README](./presets/README.md) for the full guide, including resolution order, priority, and how to create your own.

### When to Use Which

| Goal | Use |
| --- | --- |
| Add a brand-new command or workflow | Extension |
| Customize the format of specs, plans, or tasks | Preset |
| Integrate an external tool or service | Extension |
| Enforce organizational or regulatory standards | Preset |
| Ship reusable domain-specific templates | Either — presets for template overrides, extensions for templates bundled with new commands |

## 📚 Core Philosophy

Spec-Driven Development is a structured process that emphasizes:
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