Agents Overview

Four specialized agents that guide the AI-DLC development lifecycle

The Agent System

specs.md provides four specialized agents that guide you through the entire development lifecycle. Each agent has a focused responsibility and set of commands.

Agent Architecture

Agent Responsibilities

Master Agent

Orchestrates the overall flow, routes requests, maintains project awareness

Inception Agent

Captures intents, elaborates requirements, decomposes into units

Construction Agent

Executes bolts, builds code, runs tests through validated stages

Operations Agent

Deploys, verifies, and monitors systems in production

Invoking Agents

How to Use

Open your AI coding tool (Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot)
Start a chat/conversation
Type the agent prompt to activate it

Type in Claude Code’s chat:

/specsmd-master-agent
/specsmd-inception-agent
/specsmd-construction-agent
/specsmd-operations-agent

Type in Cursor’s chat (either format works):

/specsmd-master-agent
/specsmd-inception-agent
/specsmd-construction-agent
/specsmd-operations-agent

Or use the @ prefix:

@specsmd-master-agent
@specsmd-inception-agent
@specsmd-construction-agent
@specsmd-operations-agent

Type in Copilot’s chat:

/specsmd-master-agent
/specsmd-inception-agent
/specsmd-construction-agent
/specsmd-operations-agent

Agent Session Lifecycle

Each agent session follows a pattern:

Context Loading

Agent reads relevant artifacts from Memory Bank

Command Execution

Agent performs the requested command

Human Validation

Agent pauses for approval at checkpoints

Artifact Storage

Agent writes results back to Memory Bank

Command Reference

Master Agent

Command	Purpose
`project-init`	Initialize project with standards
`analyze-context`	View current project state
`route-request`	Get directed to the right agent
`explain-flow`	Learn about AI-DLC methodology
`answer-question`	Get help with any specs.md question

Inception Agent

Command	Purpose
`intent-create`	Create a new intent
`intent-list`	List all intents
`requirements`	Elaborate intent requirements
`context`	Define system context
`units`	Decompose into units
`story-create`	Create stories for a unit
`bolt-plan`	Plan bolts for stories
`review`	Review inception artifacts

Construction Agent

Command	Purpose
`bolt-start`	Start/continue executing a bolt
`bolt-status`	Check bolt progress
`bolt-list`	List all bolts
`bolt-replan`	Replan bolts if needed

Operations Agent

Command	Purpose
`build`	Build the project
`deploy`	Deploy to environment
`verify`	Verify deployment
`monitor`	Set up monitoring

Routing Between Agents

The Master Agent can route you to the appropriate agent:

> I want to add a new feature

Master Agent: That sounds like a new Intent. Let me route you 
to the Inception Agent.

/specsmd-inception-agent intent-create

Best Practices

Start with Master

When unsure where to begin, start with the Master Agent. It will guide you to the right place.

Complete Artifacts

Finish and save artifacts before switching agents. Context is loaded from Memory Bank.

Follow the Flow

Inception → Construction → Operations. Don’t skip phases.

Use Commands

Each agent has specific commands. Use them rather than free-form requests.