From ad591607eaef15b2c080c5b5622358ea9e84ac9f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "copilot-swe-agent[bot]" <198982749+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2026 21:06:18 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] docs: update RFC, user guide, and API reference for
 multi-catalog support

- RFC: replace FUTURE FEATURE section with full implementation docs,
  add catalog stack resolution order, config file examples, merge
  conflict resolution, and install_allowed behavior
- EXTENSION-USER-GUIDE.md: add multi-catalog section with CLI examples
  for catalogs/catalog-add/catalog-remove, update catalog config docs
- EXTENSION-API-REFERENCE.md: add CatalogEntry class docs, update
  ExtensionCatalog docs with new methods and result annotations,
  add catalog CLI commands (catalogs, catalog add, catalog remove)

Also fix extension_catalogs command to correctly show "Using built-in
default catalog stack" when config file exists but has empty catalogs

Co-authored-by: mnriem <15701806+mnriem@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 extensions/EXTENSION-API-REFERENCE.md | 113 ++++++++++++++++++++++++--
 extensions/EXTENSION-USER-GUIDE.md    | 106 ++++++++++++++++++++----
 extensions/RFC-EXTENSION-SYSTEM.md    | 105 ++++++++++++++++++------
 src/specify_cli/__init__.py           |   4 +-
 4 files changed, 281 insertions(+), 47 deletions(-)

diff --git a/extensions/EXTENSION-API-REFERENCE.md b/extensions/EXTENSION-API-REFERENCE.md
index 9764ca83..4c2764c1 100644
--- a/extensions/EXTENSION-API-REFERENCE.md
+++ b/extensions/EXTENSION-API-REFERENCE.md
@@ -243,6 +243,32 @@ manager.check_compatibility(
 )  # Raises: CompatibilityError if incompatible
 ```
 
+### CatalogEntry
+
+**Module**: `specify_cli.extensions`
+
+Represents a single catalog in the active catalog stack.
+
+```python
+from specify_cli.extensions import CatalogEntry
+
+entry = CatalogEntry(
+    url="https://example.com/catalog.json",
+    name="org-approved",
+    priority=1,
+    install_allowed=True,
+)
+```
+
+**Fields**:
+
+| Field | Type | Description |
+|-------|------|-------------|
+| `url` | `str` | Catalog URL (must use HTTPS, or HTTP for localhost) |
+| `name` | `str` | Human-readable catalog name |
+| `priority` | `int` | Sort order (lower = higher priority, wins on conflicts) |
+| `install_allowed` | `bool` | Whether extensions from this catalog can be installed |
+
 ### ExtensionCatalog
 
 **Module**: `specify_cli.extensions`
@@ -253,30 +279,65 @@ from specify_cli.extensions import ExtensionCatalog
 catalog = ExtensionCatalog(project_root)
 ```
 
+**Class attributes**:
+
+```python
+ExtensionCatalog.DEFAULT_CATALOG_URL    # org-approved catalog URL
+ExtensionCatalog.COMMUNITY_CATALOG_URL  # community catalog URL
+```
+
 **Methods**:
 
 ```python
-# Fetch catalog
+# Get the ordered list of active catalogs
+entries = catalog.get_active_catalogs()  # List[CatalogEntry]
+
+# Fetch catalog (primary catalog, backward compat)
 catalog_data = catalog.fetch_catalog(force_refresh: bool = False)  # Dict
 
-# Search extensions
+# Search extensions across all active catalogs
+# Each result includes _catalog_name and _install_allowed
 results = catalog.search(
     query: Optional[str] = None,
     tag: Optional[str] = None,
     author: Optional[str] = None,
     verified_only: bool = False
-)  # Returns: List[Dict]
+)  # Returns: List[Dict]  — each dict includes _catalog_name, _install_allowed
 
-# Get extension info
+# Get extension info (searches all active catalogs)
+# Returns None if not found; includes _catalog_name and _install_allowed
 ext_info = catalog.get_extension_info(extension_id: str)  # Optional[Dict]
 
-# Check cache validity
+# Check cache validity (primary catalog)
 is_valid = catalog.is_cache_valid()  # bool
 
-# Clear cache
+# Clear all catalog caches
 catalog.clear_cache()
 ```
 
+**Result annotation fields**:
+
+Each extension dict returned by `search()` and `get_extension_info()` includes:
+
+| Field | Type | Description |
+|-------|------|-------------|
+| `_catalog_name` | `str` | Name of the source catalog |
+| `_install_allowed` | `bool` | Whether installation is allowed from this catalog |
+
+**Catalog config file** (`.specify/extension-catalogs.yml`):
+
+```yaml
+catalogs:
+  - name: "org-approved"
+    url: "https://example.com/catalog.json"
+    priority: 1
+    install_allowed: true
+  - name: "community"
+    url: "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/spec-kit/main/extensions/catalog.community.json"
+    priority: 2
+    install_allowed: false
+```
+
 ### HookExecutor
 
 **Module**: `specify_cli.extensions`
@@ -543,6 +604,38 @@ EXECUTE_COMMAND: {command}
 
 **Output**: List of installed extensions with metadata
 
+### extension catalogs
+
+**Usage**: `specify extension catalogs`
+
+Lists all active catalogs in the current catalog stack, showing name, URL, priority, and `install_allowed` status.
+
+### extension catalog add
+
+**Usage**: `specify extension catalog add URL [OPTIONS]`
+
+**Options**:
+
+- `--name NAME` - Catalog name (required)
+- `--priority INT` - Priority (lower = higher priority, default: 10)
+- `--install-allowed / --no-install-allowed` - Allow installs from this catalog (default: false)
+
+**Arguments**:
+
+- `URL` - Catalog URL (must use HTTPS)
+
+Adds a catalog entry to `.specify/extension-catalogs.yml`.
+
+### extension catalog remove
+
+**Usage**: `specify extension catalog remove NAME`
+
+**Arguments**:
+
+- `NAME` - Catalog name to remove
+
+Removes a catalog entry from `.specify/extension-catalogs.yml`.
+
 ### extension add
 
 **Usage**: `specify extension add EXTENSION [OPTIONS]`
@@ -551,13 +644,13 @@ EXECUTE_COMMAND: {command}
 
 - `--from URL` - Install from custom URL
 - `--dev PATH` - Install from local directory
-- `--version VERSION` - Install specific version
-- `--no-register` - Skip command registration
 
 **Arguments**:
 
 - `EXTENSION` - Extension name or URL
 
+**Note**: Extensions from catalogs with `install_allowed: false` cannot be installed via this command.
+
 ### extension remove
 
 **Usage**: `specify extension remove EXTENSION [OPTIONS]`
@@ -575,6 +668,8 @@ EXECUTE_COMMAND: {command}
 
 **Usage**: `specify extension search [QUERY] [OPTIONS]`
 
+Searches all active catalogs simultaneously. Results include source catalog name and install_allowed status.
+
 **Options**:
 
 - `--tag TAG` - Filter by tag
@@ -589,6 +684,8 @@ EXECUTE_COMMAND: {command}
 
 **Usage**: `specify extension info EXTENSION`
 
+Shows source catalog and install_allowed status.
+
 **Arguments**:
 
 - `EXTENSION` - Extension ID
diff --git a/extensions/EXTENSION-USER-GUIDE.md b/extensions/EXTENSION-USER-GUIDE.md
index f5b5befa..e561cf2b 100644
--- a/extensions/EXTENSION-USER-GUIDE.md
+++ b/extensions/EXTENSION-USER-GUIDE.md
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ vim .specify/extensions/jira/jira-config.yml
 
 ## Finding Extensions
 
-**Note**: By default, `specify extension search` uses your organization's catalog (`catalog.json`). If the catalog is empty, you won't see any results. See [Extension Catalogs](#extension-catalogs) to learn how to populate your catalog from the community reference catalog.
+`specify extension search` searches **all active catalogs** simultaneously, including the community catalog by default. Results are annotated with their source catalog and install status.
 
 ### Browse All Extensions
 
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ vim .specify/extensions/jira/jira-config.yml
 specify extension search
 ```
 
-Shows all extensions in your organization's catalog.
+Shows all extensions across all active catalogs (org-approved and community by default).
 
 ### Search by Keyword
 
@@ -402,13 +402,13 @@ In addition to extension-specific environment variables (`SPECKIT_{EXT_ID}_*`),
 
 | Variable | Description | Default |
 |----------|-------------|---------|
-| `SPECKIT_CATALOG_URL`       | Override the extension catalog URL | GitHub-hosted catalog |
+| `SPECKIT_CATALOG_URL`       | Override the full catalog stack with a single URL (backward compat) | Built-in default stack |
 | `GH_TOKEN` / `GITHUB_TOKEN` | GitHub API token for downloads     | None                  |
 
 #### Example: Using a custom catalog for testing
 
 ```bash
-# Point to a local or alternative catalog
+# Point to a local or alternative catalog (replaces the full stack)
 export SPECKIT_CATALOG_URL="http://localhost:8000/catalog.json"
 
 # Or use a staging catalog
@@ -419,13 +419,73 @@ export SPECKIT_CATALOG_URL="https://example.com/staging/catalog.json"
 
 ## Extension Catalogs
 
-For information about how Spec Kit's dual-catalog system works (`catalog.json` vs `catalog.community.json`), see the main [Extensions README](README.md#extension-catalogs).
+Spec Kit uses a **catalog stack** — an ordered list of catalogs searched simultaneously. By default, two catalogs are active:
+
+| Priority | Catalog | Install Allowed | Purpose |
+|----------|---------|-----------------|---------|
+| 1 | `catalog.json` (org-approved) | ✅ Yes | Extensions your org approves for installation |
+| 2 | `catalog.community.json` (community) | ❌ No (discovery only) | Browse community extensions |
+
+### Listing Active Catalogs
+
+```bash
+specify extension catalogs
+```
+
+### Adding a Catalog (Project-scoped)
+
+```bash
+# Add an internal catalog that allows installs
+specify extension catalog add \
+  --name "internal" \
+  --priority 2 \
+  --install-allowed \
+  https://internal.company.com/spec-kit/catalog.json
+
+# Add a discovery-only catalog
+specify extension catalog add \
+  --name "partner" \
+  --priority 5 \
+  https://partner.example.com/spec-kit/catalog.json
+```
+
+This creates or updates `.specify/extension-catalogs.yml`.
+
+### Removing a Catalog
+
+```bash
+specify extension catalog remove internal
+```
+
+### Manual Config File
+
+You can also edit `.specify/extension-catalogs.yml` directly:
+
+```yaml
+catalogs:
+  - name: "org-approved"
+    url: "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/spec-kit/main/extensions/catalog.json"
+    priority: 1
+    install_allowed: true
+
+  - name: "internal"
+    url: "https://internal.company.com/spec-kit/catalog.json"
+    priority: 2
+    install_allowed: true
+
+  - name: "community"
+    url: "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/spec-kit/main/extensions/catalog.community.json"
+    priority: 3
+    install_allowed: false
+```
+
+A user-level equivalent lives at `~/.specify/extension-catalogs.yml`. Project-level config takes full precedence when present.
 
 ## Organization Catalog Customization
 
 ### Why Customize Your Catalog
 
-Organizations customize their `catalog.json` to:
+Organizations customize their catalogs to:
 
 - **Control available extensions** - Curate which extensions your team can install
 - **Host private extensions** - Internal tools that shouldn't be public
@@ -503,24 +563,40 @@ Options for hosting your catalog:
 
 #### 3. Configure Your Environment
 
-##### Option A: Environment variable (recommended for CI/CD)
+##### Option A: Catalog stack config file (recommended)
+
+Add to `.specify/extension-catalogs.yml` in your project:
+
+```yaml
+catalogs:
+  - name: "org-approved"
+    url: "https://your-org.com/spec-kit/catalog.json"
+    priority: 1
+    install_allowed: true
+```
+
+Or use the CLI:
+
+```bash
+specify extension catalog add \
+  --name "org-approved" \
+  --install-allowed \
+  https://your-org.com/spec-kit/catalog.json
+```
+
+##### Option B: Environment variable (recommended for CI/CD, single-catalog)
 
 ```bash
 # In ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, or CI pipeline
 export SPECKIT_CATALOG_URL="https://your-org.com/spec-kit/catalog.json"
 ```
 
-##### Option B: Per-project configuration
-
-Create `.env` or set in your shell before running spec-kit commands:
-
-```bash
-SPECKIT_CATALOG_URL="https://your-org.com/spec-kit/catalog.json" specify extension search
-```
-
 #### 4. Verify Configuration
 
 ```bash
+# List active catalogs
+specify extension catalogs
+
 # Search should now show your catalog's extensions
 specify extension search
 
diff --git a/extensions/RFC-EXTENSION-SYSTEM.md b/extensions/RFC-EXTENSION-SYSTEM.md
index 248e6275..7df07e42 100644
--- a/extensions/RFC-EXTENSION-SYSTEM.md
+++ b/extensions/RFC-EXTENSION-SYSTEM.md
@@ -868,7 +868,7 @@ Spec Kit uses two catalog files with different purposes:
 
 - **Purpose**: Organization's curated catalog of approved extensions
 - **Default State**: Empty by design - users populate with extensions they trust
-- **Usage**: Default catalog used by `specify extension` CLI commands
+- **Usage**: Primary catalog (priority 1, `install_allowed: true`) in the default stack
 - **Control**: Organizations maintain their own fork/version for their teams
 
 #### Community Reference Catalog (`catalog.community.json`)
@@ -879,16 +879,16 @@ Spec Kit uses two catalog files with different purposes:
 - **Verification**: Community extensions may have `verified: false` initially
 - **Status**: Active - open for community contributions
 - **Submission**: Via Pull Request following the Extension Publishing Guide
-- **Usage**: Browse to discover extensions, then copy to your `catalog.json`
+- **Usage**: Secondary catalog (priority 2, `install_allowed: false`) in the default stack — discovery only
 
-**How It Works:**
+**How It Works (default stack):**
 
-1. **Discover**: Browse `catalog.community.json` to find available extensions
-2. **Review**: Evaluate extensions for security, quality, and organizational fit
-3. **Curate**: Copy approved extension entries from community catalog to your `catalog.json`
-4. **Install**: Use `specify extension add <name>` (pulls from your curated catalog)
+1. **Discover**: `specify extension search` searches both catalogs — community extensions appear automatically
+2. **Review**: Evaluate community extensions for security, quality, and organizational fit
+3. **Curate**: Copy approved entries from community catalog to your `catalog.json`, or add to `.specify/extension-catalogs.yml` with `install_allowed: true`
+4. **Install**: Use `specify extension add <name>` — only allowed from `install_allowed: true` catalogs
 
-This approach gives organizations full control over which extensions are available to their teams while maintaining a shared community resource for discovery.
+This approach gives organizations full control over which extensions can be installed while still providing community discoverability out of the box.
 
 ### Catalog Format
 
@@ -961,30 +961,89 @@ specify extension info jira
 
 ### Custom Catalogs
 
-**⚠️ FUTURE FEATURE - NOT YET IMPLEMENTED**
+Spec Kit supports a **catalog stack** — an ordered list of catalogs that the CLI merges and searches across. This allows organizations to benefit from org-approved extensions, an internal catalog, and community discovery all at once.
 
-The following catalog management commands are proposed design concepts but are not yet available in the current implementation:
+#### Catalog Stack Resolution
 
-```bash
-# Add custom catalog (FUTURE - NOT AVAILABLE)
-specify extension add-catalog https://internal.company.com/spec-kit/catalog.json
+The active catalog stack is resolved in this order (first match wins):
 
-# Set as default (FUTURE - NOT AVAILABLE)
-specify extension set-catalog --default https://internal.company.com/spec-kit/catalog.json
+1. **`SPECKIT_CATALOG_URL` environment variable** — single catalog replacing all defaults (backward compat)
+2. **Project-level `.specify/extension-catalogs.yml`** — full control for the project
+3. **User-level `~/.specify/extension-catalogs.yml`** — personal defaults
+4. **Built-in default stack** — `catalog.json` (install_allowed: true) + `catalog.community.json` (install_allowed: false)
 
-# List catalogs (FUTURE - NOT AVAILABLE)
-specify extension catalogs
+#### Default Built-in Stack
+
+When no config file exists, the CLI uses:
+
+| Priority | Catalog | install_allowed | Purpose |
+|----------|---------|-----------------|---------|
+| 1 | `catalog.json` (org-approved) | `true` | Extensions your org approves for installation |
+| 2 | `catalog.community.json` (community) | `false` | Discovery only — browse but not install |
+
+This means `specify extension search` surfaces community extensions out of the box, while `specify extension add` is still restricted to org-approved entries.
+
+#### `.specify/extension-catalogs.yml` Config File
+
+```yaml
+catalogs:
+  - name: "org-approved"
+    url: "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/spec-kit/main/extensions/catalog.json"
+    priority: 1          # Highest — only approved entries can be installed
+    install_allowed: true
+
+  - name: "internal"
+    url: "https://internal.company.com/spec-kit/catalog.json"
+    priority: 2
+    install_allowed: true
+
+  - name: "community"
+    url: "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/spec-kit/main/extensions/catalog.community.json"
+    priority: 3          # Lowest — discovery only, not installable
+    install_allowed: false
 ```
 
-**Proposed catalog priority** (future design):
+A user-level equivalent lives at `~/.specify/extension-catalogs.yml`. When a project-level config is present, it takes full control and the built-in defaults are not applied.
 
-1. Project-specific catalog (`.specify/extension-catalogs.yml`) - *not implemented*
-2. User-level catalog (`~/.specify/extension-catalogs.yml`) - *not implemented*
-3. Default GitHub catalog
+#### Catalog CLI Commands
 
-#### Current Implementation: SPECKIT_CATALOG_URL
+```bash
+# List active catalogs with name, URL, priority, and install_allowed
+specify extension catalogs
 
-**The currently available method** for using custom catalogs is the `SPECKIT_CATALOG_URL` environment variable:
+# Add a catalog (project-scoped)
+specify extension catalog add --name "internal" --install-allowed \
+  https://internal.company.com/spec-kit/catalog.json
+
+# Add a discovery-only catalog
+specify extension catalog add --name "community" \
+  https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/spec-kit/main/extensions/catalog.community.json
+
+# Remove a catalog
+specify extension catalog remove internal
+
+# Show which catalog an extension came from
+specify extension info jira
+# → Source catalog: org-approved
+```
+
+#### Merge Conflict Resolution
+
+When the same extension `id` appears in multiple catalogs, the higher-priority (lower priority number) catalog wins. Extensions from lower-priority catalogs with the same `id` are ignored.
+
+#### `install_allowed: false` Behavior
+
+Extensions from discovery-only catalogs are shown in `specify extension search` results but cannot be installed directly:
+
+```
+⚠  'linear' is available in the 'community' catalog but installation is not allowed from that catalog.
+
+To enable installation, add 'linear' to an approved catalog (install_allowed: true) in .specify/extension-catalogs.yml.
+```
+
+#### `SPECKIT_CATALOG_URL` (Backward Compatibility)
+
+The `SPECKIT_CATALOG_URL` environment variable still works — it is treated as a single `install_allowed: true` catalog, **replacing both defaults** for full backward compatibility:
 
 ```bash
 # Point to your organization's catalog
diff --git a/src/specify_cli/__init__.py b/src/specify_cli/__init__.py
index 9f4256b4..b8756025 100644
--- a/src/specify_cli/__init__.py
+++ b/src/specify_cli/__init__.py
@@ -1878,8 +1878,10 @@ def extension_catalogs():
         console.print()
 
     config_path = project_root / ".specify" / "extension-catalogs.yml"
-    if config_path.exists():
+    if config_path.exists() and catalog._load_catalog_config(config_path) is not None:
         console.print(f"[dim]Config: {config_path.relative_to(project_root)}[/dim]")
+    elif os.environ.get("SPECKIT_CATALOG_URL"):
+        console.print("[dim]Catalog configured via SPECKIT_CATALOG_URL environment variable.[/dim]")
     else:
         console.print("[dim]Using built-in default catalog stack.[/dim]")
         console.print(