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spec-kit/docs/local-development.md
2025-09-12 10:27:43 -07:00

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# Local Development Guide
This guide shows how to iterate on the `specify` CLI locally without publishing a release or committing to `main` first.
> Scripts now have both Bash (`.sh`) and PowerShell (`.ps1`) variants. The CLI auto-selects based on OS unless you pass `--script sh|ps`.
## 1. Clone and Switch Branches
```bash
git clone https://github.com/github/spec-kit.git
cd spec-kit
# Work on a feature branch
git checkout -b your-feature-branch
```
## 2. Run the CLI Directly (Fastest Feedback)
You can execute the CLI via the module entrypoint without installing anything:
```bash
# From repo root
python -m src.specify_cli --help
python -m src.specify_cli init demo-project --ai claude --ignore-agent-tools --script sh
```
If you prefer invoking the script file style (uses shebang):
```bash
python src/specify_cli/__init__.py init demo-project --script ps
```
## 3. Use Editable Install (Isolated Environment)
Create an isolated environment using `uv` so dependencies resolve exactly like end users get them:
```bash
# Create & activate virtual env (uv auto-manages .venv)
uv venv
source .venv/bin/activate # or on Windows PowerShell: .venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
# Install project in editable mode
uv pip install -e .
# Now 'specify' entrypoint is available
specify --help
```
Re-running after code edits requires no reinstall because of editable mode.
## 4. Invoke with uvx Directly From Git (Current Branch)
`uvx` can run from a local path (or a Git ref) to simulate user flows:
```bash
uvx --from . specify init demo-uvx --ai copilot --ignore-agent-tools --script sh
```
You can also point uvx at a specific branch without merging:
```bash
# Push your working branch first
git push origin your-feature-branch
uvx --from git+https://github.com/github/spec-kit.git@your-feature-branch specify init demo-branch-test --script ps
```
### 4a. Absolute Path uvx (Run From Anywhere)
If you're in another directory, use an absolute path instead of `.`:
```bash
uvx --from /mnt/c/GitHub/spec-kit specify --help
uvx --from /mnt/c/GitHub/spec-kit specify init demo-anywhere --ai copilot --ignore-agent-tools --script sh
```
Set an environment variable for convenience:
```bash
export SPEC_KIT_SRC=/mnt/c/GitHub/spec-kit
uvx --from "$SPEC_KIT_SRC" specify init demo-env --ai copilot --ignore-agent-tools --script ps
```
(Optional) Define a shell function:
```bash
specify-dev() { uvx --from /mnt/c/GitHub/spec-kit specify "$@"; }
# Then
specify-dev --help
```
## 5. Testing Script Permission Logic
After running an `init`, check that shell scripts are executable on POSIX systems:
```bash
ls -l scripts | grep .sh
# Expect owner execute bit (e.g. -rwxr-xr-x)
```
On Windows you will instead use the `.ps1` scripts (no chmod needed).
## 6. Run Lint / Basic Checks (Add Your Own)
Currently no enforced lint config is bundled, but you can quickly sanity check importability:
```bash
python -c "import specify_cli; print('Import OK')"
```
## 7. Build a Wheel Locally (Optional)
Validate packaging before publishing:
```bash
uv build
ls dist/
```
Install the built artifact into a fresh throwaway environment if needed.
## 8. Using a Temporary Workspace
When testing `init --here` in a dirty directory, create a temp workspace:
```bash
mkdir /tmp/spec-test && cd /tmp/spec-test
python -m src.specify_cli init --here --ai claude --ignore-agent-tools --script sh # if repo copied here
```
Or copy only the modified CLI portion if you want a lighter sandbox.
## 9. Debug Network / TLS Skips
If you need to bypass TLS validation while experimenting:
```bash
specify check --skip-tls
specify init demo --skip-tls --ai gemini --ignore-agent-tools --script ps
```
(Use only for local experimentation.)
## 10. Rapid Edit Loop Summary
| Action | Command |
|--------|---------|
| Run CLI directly | `python -m src.specify_cli --help` |
| Editable install | `uv pip install -e .` then `specify ...` |
| Local uvx run (repo root) | `uvx --from . specify ...` |
| Local uvx run (abs path) | `uvx --from /mnt/c/GitHub/spec-kit specify ...` |
| Git branch uvx | `uvx --from git+URL@branch specify ...` |
| Build wheel | `uv build` |
## 11. Cleaning Up
Remove build artifacts / virtual env quickly:
```bash
rm -rf .venv dist build *.egg-info
```
## 12. Common Issues
| Symptom | Fix |
|---------|-----|
| `ModuleNotFoundError: typer` | Run `uv pip install -e .` |
| Scripts not executable (Linux) | Re-run init or `chmod +x scripts/*.sh` |
| Git step skipped | You passed `--no-git` or Git not installed |
| Wrong script type downloaded | Pass `--script sh` or `--script ps` explicitly |
| TLS errors on corporate network | Try `--skip-tls` (not for production) |
## 13. Next Steps
- Update docs and run through Quick Start using your modified CLI
- Open a PR when satisfied
- (Optional) Tag a release once changes land in `main`