Each step is really a context accumulation + gate pattern:

Master Context = all docs from previous steps (grows with each step) Status Fulfillment = the "done when" gate that confirms this step's output is ready to feed forward

And the whole thing is a loop, not a line. CLAUDE.md at the end is the serialized master context for the next execution cycle.

The Process

The 7-step mechanical workflow for spec-driven development. Each step produces a document that feeds the next. Steps 5–7 form a loop.

Overview

Step Document Time Key Input Key Output Status Fulfillment (Gate) Produces
1 Project Charter 30–60 min Your intent, existing notes Problem, vision, scope, success criteria Explainable in 2 minutes using only the charter Scoped problem + vision
2 PRD 2–4 hrs Charter + competitive landscape User stories, P0/P1/P2 requirements, acceptance criteria Every P0 requirement has acceptance criteria Testable requirements
3 ADD 2–3 hrs PRD + existing code Component diagram, ADRs, data model, API contract Any component implementable without asking "how does this connect to X?" Architecture + code patterns
4 WBS 1–2 hrs PRD + ADD Work packages with estimates, dependencies, deliverables Each work package = one Claude Code session with a clear deliverable Scoped work packages
5 PRP 15–30 min WBS work package + ADD patterns + PRD acceptance criteria Context-engineered execution prompt /execute-prp produces working code that meets acceptance criteria Implementation-ready context package
6 Roadmap 30 min WBS + available time + execution results Milestones with target dates, decision gates You know what "done" looks like at each milestone Prioritized sequence + progress tracking
7 CLAUDE.md • CHANGELOG 30 min All above Living operational docs, version baseline Fresh Claude Code session knows what to work on without asking Serialized master context → loop to step 5

Step 1: Project Charter

Questions to answer:

AI can draft: Initial charter from your description + existing README/docs

YOU must decide: Scope boundaries, success criteria thresholds, stakeholder priorities

Done when: You can explain the project to someone in 2 minutes using only the charter.

Step 2: PRD (Product Requirements Document)

Questions to answer: