Working Modes

SuperSpec provides two working modes to suit different development scenarios.

Mode Comparison

Feature	Standard Mode	Boost Mode
Activation	Default	-b or --boost
AI-generated Artifacts	proposal, checklist, tasks	proposal, spec, design?, checklist, tasks
Use Cases	Simple features, bug fixes	Complex features, reviews needed
Documentation	Minimal	Complete
Quality Control	Checklist /10 after proposal	Checklist /25 after spec

Standard Mode

Use Cases

• Bug fixes
• Simple feature additions
• Configuration changes
• Small refactors
• Quick prototypes

Artifacts (AI generates on demand via /ss-create)

superspec/changes/<name>/
├── proposal.md     # Requirements + technical solution
├── checklist.md    # Quality gate /10
└── tasks.md        # Generated by /ss-tasks

CLI superspec create only creates folder + git branch.

Workflow

/ss-create <feature>  (proposal → checklist ✓)
    ↓
/ss-tasks
    ↓
/ss-apply
    ↓
/ss-archive

Examples

# Create simple feature
superspec create add-dark-mode

# Fix a bug
superspec create fix-login-error

# Update configuration
superspec create update-eslint-config

Boost Mode

Use Cases

• Complex feature development
• Changes requiring design review
• Cross-team collaboration
• Projects requiring complete documentation
• Significant architecture changes

Artifacts (AI generates on demand via /ss-create)

superspec/changes/<name>/
├── proposal.md     # Requirements background (Goals, Non-Goals, Impact, Risks)
├── spec.md         # Requirement details + interactions (US/FR/AC)
├── design.md       # Optional, auto-generated when needed
├── checklist.md    # Quality gate /25
└── tasks.md        # Generated by /ss-tasks

CLI superspec create -b only creates folder + git branch.

Workflow

/ss-create <feature> -b  (proposal → spec → [auto: split? design?] → checklist ✓)
    ↓
/ss-tasks
    ↓
/ss-apply
    ↓
/ss-archive

Examples

# Complex feature
superspec create add-user-auth -b

# Architecture change
superspec create redesign-data-layer -b

# New module
superspec create implement-payment-system -b

Creative Mode

Creative mode can be combined with Standard or Boost mode, allowing AI to explore new approaches.

Activation

superspec create <feature> -c        # Standard + Creative
superspec create <feature> -b -c     # Boost + Creative

Differences from Normal Mode

Feature	Normal Mode	Creative Mode
Strategy	follow	create
Project rules	As constraints	As references
Architecture	Must align with existing	Can propose alternatives
Use case	Regular development	Refactoring, innovation

How It Works

User -c → CLI log output → AI parses flag → proposal.md frontmatter strategy: create → subsequent commands read frontmatter → behavior branches

Strategy priority: user input -c > config default. Persisted in proposal.md frontmatter strategy and input fields.

Use Cases

• Exploring new architecture
• Trying new tech stacks
• Major refactoring
• Innovative feature design

How to Choose?

                    ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
                    │     How complex is the change?       │
                    └───────────────┬─────────────────────┘
                                    │
                    ┌───────────────┼───────────────┐
                    │               │               │
                    ▼               ▼               ▼
               Simple/Quick    Medium Complex   Highly Complex
                    │               │               │
                    ▼               ▼               ▼
              Standard Mode   Standard Mode    Boost Mode
                              or Boost
                                    │
                    ┌───────────────┼───────────────┐
                    │               │               │
                    ▼               ▼               ▼
              Need to explore new approaches?
                    │               │
                    ▼               ▼
                   Yes              No
                    │               │
                    ▼               ▼
              + Creative Mode  Keep current mode

Runtime Switching

If you discover you need more documentation during development, use AI to generate additional artifacts:

# Use /ss-clarify for requirements clarification
# Use /ss-checklist to run quality checks
# Manually request AI to generate spec.md if upgrading to Boost-style docs

Or use configuration to enable Boost mode by default:

{
  "boost": true
}