spec-kitty.constitution

Prompt file imported from wildcard/caro (.codex/prompts/spec-kitty.constitution.md). Fill in {{arguments}} before use. Copyright stays with the author.

Path reference rule: When you mention directories or files, provide either the absolute path or a path relative to the project root (for example, kitty-specs/<feature>/tasks/). Never refer to a folder by name alone.

Path: .kittify/templates/commands/constitution.md

User Input

{{arguments}}

You MUST consider the user input before proceeding (if not empty).

What This Command Does

This command manages the project constitution - the global set of principles and governance rules that apply to ALL features in this project.

Location: The constitution lives at .kittify/memory/constitution.md (in the main repository, not feature worktrees)

Scope: This command is project-wide, not feature-specific

• Does NOT need to be run from a worktree
• Can be run from the primary repository checkout root
• Creates/updates principles that all features must follow
• Updates dependent templates to stay in sync

Why Constitutions Matter

The project constitution defines non-negotiable principles such as:

• Code quality standards
• Security and compliance requirements
• Testing discipline
• Documentation standards
• Performance expectations

All features (/spec-kitty.specify, /spec-kitty.plan, /spec-kitty.tasks) must align with these principles.

Workflow Context

When to use:

• First time: Create initial project constitution with your team's core principles
• Later: Update constitution when principles change or new ones are needed
• Impacts: Every feature automatically validates against current constitution

What it affects:

• All spec.md files (features must comply with constitution)
• All plan.md files (architecture must align with principles)
• All tasks.md files (testing and quality tasks reflect constitution)
• The /spec-kitty.analyze command validates constitution alignment

Outline

You are updating the project constitution at /.kittify/memory/constitution.md. This file is a TEMPLATE containing placeholder tokens in square brackets (e.g. [PROJECT_NAME], [PRINCIPLE_1_NAME]). Your job is to (a) collect/derive concrete values, (b) fill the template precisely, and (c) propagate any amendments across dependent artifacts.

Follow this execution flow:

1. Load the existing constitution template at /.kittify/memory/constitution.md.

   • Identify every placeholder token of the form [ALL_CAPS_IDENTIFIER]. IMPORTANT: The user might require less or more principles than the ones used in the template. If a number is specified, respect that - follow the general template. You will update the doc accordingly.

2. Collect/derive values for placeholders:

   • If user input (conversation) supplies a value, use it.
   • Otherwise infer from existing repo context (README, docs, prior constitution versions if embedded).
   • For governance dates: RATIFICATION_DATE is the original adoption date (if unknown ask or mark TODO), LAST_AMENDED_DATE is today if changes are made, otherwise keep previous.
   • CONSTITUTION_VERSION must increment according to semantic versioning rules:
     • MAJOR: Backward incompatible governance/principle removals or redefinitions.
     • MINOR: New principle/section added or materially expanded guidance.
     • PATCH: Clarifications, wording, typo fixes, non-semantic refinements.
   • If version bump type ambiguous, propose reasoning before finalizing.

3. Draft the updated constitution content:

   • Replace every placeholder with concrete text (no bracketed tokens left except intentionally retained template slots that the project has chosen not to define yet—explicitly justify any left).
   • Preserve heading hierarchy and comments can be removed once replaced unless they still add clarifying guidance.
   • Ensure each Principle section: succinct name line, paragraph (or bullet list) capturing non‑negotiable rules, explicit rationale if not obvious.
   • Ensure Governance section lists amendment procedure, versioning policy, and compliance review expectations.

4. Consistency propagation checklist (convert prior checklist into active validations):

   • Read /.kittify/templates/plan-template.md and ensure any "Constitution Check" or rules align with updated principles.
   • Read /.kittify/templates/spec-template.md for scope/requirements alignment—update if constitution adds/removes mandatory sections or constraints.
   • Read /.kittify/templates/tasks-template.md and ensure task categorization reflects new or removed principle-driven task types (e.g., observability, versioning, testing discipline).
   • Read each command file in /.kittify/templates/commands/*.md (including this one) to verify no outdated references (agent-specific names like CLAUDE only) remain when generic guidance is required.
   • Read any runtime guidance docs (e.g., README.md, docs/quickstart.md, or agent-specific guidance files if present). Update references to principles changed.

5. Produce a Sync Impact Report (prepend as an HTML comment at top of the constitution file after update):

   • Version change: old → new
   • List of modified principles (old title → new title if renamed)
   • Added sections
   • Removed sections
   • Templates requiring updates (✅ updated / ⚠ pending) with file paths
   • Follow-up TODOs if any placeholders intentionally deferred.

6. Validation before final output:

   • No remaining unexplained bracket tokens.
   • Version line matches report.
   • Dates ISO format YYYY-MM-DD.
   • Principles are declarative, testable, and free of vague language ("should" → replace with MUST/SHOULD rationale where appropriate).

7. Write the completed constitution back to /.kittify/memory/constitution.md (overwrite).

8. Output a final summary to the user with:

   • New version and bump rationale.
   • Any files flagged for manual follow-up.
   • Suggested commit message (e.g., docs: amend constitution to vX.Y.Z (principle additions + governance update)).

Formatting & Style Requirements:

• Use Markdown headings exactly as in the template (do not demote/promote levels).
• Wrap long rationale lines to keep readability (<100 chars ideally) but do not hard enforce with awkward breaks.
• Keep a single blank line between sections.
• Avoid trailing whitespace.

If the user supplies partial updates (e.g., only one principle revision), still perform validation and version decision steps.

If critical info missing (e.g., ratification date truly unknown), insert TODO(<FIELD_NAME>): explanation and include in the Sync Impact Report under deferred items.

Do not create a new template; always operate on the existing /.kittify/memory/constitution.md file.