---
title: Introduction
description: AI-native development framework with four flows for every use case
---

<img
  class="block dark:hidden"
  src="/images/hero-light.svg"
  alt="specs.md Framework Architecture"
/>
<img
  class="hidden dark:block"
  src="/images/hero-dark.svg"
  alt="specs.md Framework Architecture"
/>

:::info
**Looking for the unified bolt flow?** That is [specsmd v2](/v2) — intents, work items, and dynamic bolts under `docs/specsmd/`. These pages document the legacy flows and keep every existing URL. Switch versions from the version menu, the **v2** navbar link, or that home page.
:::

## What is specs.md?

**specs.md** is an AI-native development framework with pluggable flows for every use case. Choose the flow that matches your project needs:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card
    title="Ideation Flow"
    icon="lightbulb"
    href="/ideation-flow/overview"
  >
    **Creative brainstorming**. Spark → Flame → Forge ideas into concept briefs.
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="Simple Flow"
    icon="feather"
    href="/simple-flow/overview"
  >
    **Spec generation only**. Quick requirements, design, and task documents.
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="FIRE Flow"
    icon="zap"
    href="/fire-flow/overview"
  >
    **Adaptive execution**. Right-sizes the rigor, brownfield & monorepo ready.
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="AI-DLC Flow"
    icon="building"
    href="/core-concepts/intents"
  >
    **Full methodology**. Complete lifecycle with DDD and 4 agents.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

:::info
**Not sure which flow?** Check out our [Choose Your Flow](/architecture/choose-flow) guide for a detailed comparison.
:::

## Quick Start

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card
    title="Installation"
    icon="download"
    href="/getting-started/installation"
  >
    Install specs.md and select your flow
  </Card>
  <Card
    title="IDE Extension"
    icon="puzzle"
    href="/getting-started/ide-extension"
  >
    Track progress with the VS Code extension
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Framework Architecture

specs.md is built as a **pluggable framework** where development methodologies are implemented as **flows**:

```
specs.md (Framework)
├── Core (Standards, Agents, State)
└── Flows/
    ├── ideation/   ← Creative brainstorming (Spark → Flame → Forge)
    ├── simple/     ← Spec generation only
    ├── fire/       ← Rapid execution (0-2 checkpoints)
    └── aidlc/      ← Full methodology with DDD
```

## Key Features

<Accordion>
  <AccordionItem title="Four Flows for Every Use Case">
    **Ideation** for creative brainstorming, **Simple** for quick specs, **FIRE** for rapid execution, **AI-DLC** for full methodology. Choose based on your project needs.
  </AccordionItem>
  <AccordionItem title="Creative Ideation (Ideation Flow)">
    Spark → Flame → Forge. AI generates diverse ideas using 12 domains, evaluates them through multiple lenses, then shapes top picks into polished concept briefs—before you commit to writing specs.
  </AccordionItem>
  <AccordionItem title="Adaptive Checkpoints (FIRE)">
    FIRE flow adapts oversight to complexity: 0 checkpoints for simple tasks, 1 for standard features, 2 for critical changes.
  </AccordionItem>
  <AccordionItem title="First-Class Brownfield Support (FIRE)">
    Auto-detects existing patterns, respects conventions, and extends rather than rewrites your codebase.
  </AccordionItem>
  <AccordionItem title="Monorepo Support (FIRE)">
    Hierarchical standards with module-specific overrides. One project, multiple tech stacks.
  </AccordionItem>
  <AccordionItem title="Full DDD Methodology (AI-DLC)">
    Domain-Driven Design is integral to AI-DLC Construction phase for complex domains.
  </AccordionItem>
  <AccordionItem title="Tool Agnostic">
    Works with Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and other AI coding assistants. Markdown-based agents work anywhere.
  </AccordionItem>
  <AccordionItem title="VS Code Extension">
    Track your progress with our [sidebar extension](/getting-started/ide-extension) for VS Code, Cursor, and Windsurf. Monitor progress, browse specs, and view project metrics visually.
  </AccordionItem>
</Accordion>

## Flow Comparison

| Aspect | Ideation | Simple | FIRE | AI-DLC |
|--------|----------|--------|------|--------|
| **Optimized For** | Creative exploration | Spec generation | Adaptive execution | Full traceability |
| **Checkpoints** | 0 (non-blocking) | 3 (phase gates) | Adaptive (complexity + config) | Comprehensive |
| **Agents** | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| **Execution Tracking** | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| **Design Docs** | Concept briefs | Basic | When complexity warrants | DDD or Simple bolt |
| **Monorepo** | No | No | First-class | Limited |

## Supported Tools

specs.md is **IDE and AI-agnostic**—you choose your tools, no vendor lock-in.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Claude Code" icon="terminal">
    Slash commands
  </Card>
  <Card title="Cursor" icon="code">
    Rules integration
  </Card>
  <Card title="GitHub Copilot" icon="git-branch">
    Agents support
  </Card>
  <Card title="Windsurf" icon="wind">
    Rules integration
  </Card>
  <Card title="Cline" icon="bot">
    Rules integration
  </Card>
  <Card title="Roo" icon="paw-print">
    Rules integration
  </Card>
  <Card title="Kiro" icon="cloud">
    Agents support
  </Card>
  <Card title="Google Antigravity" icon="sparkles">
    Agents support
  </Card>
  <Card title="Gemini CLI" icon="sparkles">
    Agents support
  </Card>
  <Card title="Codex CLI" icon="cpu">
    Agents support
  </Card>
  <Card title="OpenCode" icon="git-branch">
    Agents support
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

:::info
Unlike tools that lock you into a specific paid IDE, specs.md works with **any AI coding tool**. Your specs and agents are portable markdown files that work everywhere.
:::

## Get Started

1. **Install specs.md**

    ```bash
    npx specsmd@latest install
    ```

2. **Select your flow**

    Choose **Ideation**, **Simple**, **FIRE**, or **AI-DLC** based on your project needs

3. **Start building**

    Invoke your flow's agent and describe what you want to build

## Why specs.md?

Traditional development methods were built for human-driven, long-running processes. **specs.md reimagines the development lifecycle** with AI as a central collaborator:

- **Choose your overhead**: From creative brainstorming (Ideation) and no execution tracking (Simple) to full methodology (AI-DLC)
- **Start before specs**: Ideation explores the solution space and produces concept briefs—before you commit to writing requirements
- **Adaptive checkpoints**: FIRE adapts oversight to complexity—skip ceremony for simple tasks
- **Brownfield-first**: FIRE auto-detects existing patterns and conventions
- **Persistent context**: AI can reference across sessions with structured artifacts
- **Rapid cycles**: Ship features in hours, not weeks

:::info
**Featured on Product Hunt!** Check out our launch and leave a review: [specs.md on Product Hunt →](https://www.producthunt.com/products/specs-md)
:::