create-github-action-workflow-specification

Create a formal specification for an existing GitHub Actions CI/CD workflow, optimized for AI consumption and workflow maintenance.

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Install skill "create-github-action-workflow-specification" with this command: npx skills add github/awesome-copilot/github-awesome-copilot-create-github-action-workflow-specification

Create GitHub Actions Workflow Specification

Create a comprehensive specification for the GitHub Actions workflow: ${input:WorkflowFile}.

This specification serves as a specification for the workflow's behavior, requirements, and constraints. It must be implementation-agnostic, focusing on what the workflow accomplishes rather than how it's implemented.

AI-Optimized Requirements

  • Token Efficiency: Use concise language without sacrificing clarity
  • Structured Data: Leverage tables, lists, and diagrams for dense information
  • Semantic Clarity: Use precise terminology consistently throughout
  • Implementation Abstraction: Avoid specific syntax, commands, or tool versions
  • Maintainability: Design for easy updates as workflow evolves

Specification Template

Save as: /spec/spec-process-cicd-[workflow-name].md

---
title: CI/CD Workflow Specification - [Workflow Name]
version: 1.0
date_created: [YYYY-MM-DD]
last_updated: [YYYY-MM-DD]
owner: DevOps Team
tags: [process, cicd, github-actions, automation, [domain-specific-tags]]
---

## Workflow Overview

**Purpose**: [One sentence describing workflow's primary goal]
**Trigger Events**: [List trigger conditions]
**Target Environments**: [Environment scope]

## Execution Flow Diagram

```mermaid
graph TD
    A[Trigger Event] --> B[Job 1]
    B --> C[Job 2]
    C --> D[Job 3]
    D --> E[End]
    
    B --> F[Parallel Job]
    F --> D
    
    style A fill:#e1f5fe
    style E fill:#e8f5e8

Jobs & Dependencies

Job NamePurposeDependenciesExecution Context
job-1[Purpose][Prerequisites][Runner/Environment]
job-2[Purpose]job-1[Runner/Environment]

Requirements Matrix

Functional Requirements

IDRequirementPriorityAcceptance Criteria
REQ-001[Requirement]High[Testable criteria]
REQ-002[Requirement]Medium[Testable criteria]

Security Requirements

IDRequirementImplementation Constraint
SEC-001[Security requirement][Constraint description]

Performance Requirements

IDMetricTargetMeasurement Method
PERF-001[Metric][Target value][How measured]

Input/Output Contracts

Inputs

# Environment Variables
ENV_VAR_1: string  # Purpose: [description]
ENV_VAR_2: secret  # Purpose: [description]

# Repository Triggers
paths: [list of path filters]
branches: [list of branch patterns]

Outputs

# Job Outputs
job_1_output: string  # Description: [purpose]
build_artifact: file  # Description: [content type]

Secrets & Variables

TypeNamePurposeScope
SecretSECRET_1[Purpose]Workflow
VariableVAR_1[Purpose]Repository

Execution Constraints

Runtime Constraints

  • Timeout: [Maximum execution time]
  • Concurrency: [Parallel execution limits]
  • Resource Limits: [Memory/CPU constraints]

Environmental Constraints

  • Runner Requirements: [OS/hardware needs]
  • Network Access: [External connectivity needs]
  • Permissions: [Required access levels]

Error Handling Strategy

Error TypeResponseRecovery Action
Build Failure[Response][Recovery steps]
Test Failure[Response][Recovery steps]
Deployment Failure[Response][Recovery steps]

Quality Gates

Gate Definitions

GateCriteriaBypass Conditions
Code Quality[Standards][When allowed]
Security Scan[Thresholds][When allowed]
Test Coverage[Percentage][When allowed]

Monitoring & Observability

Key Metrics

  • Success Rate: [Target percentage]
  • Execution Time: [Target duration]
  • Resource Usage: [Monitoring approach]

Alerting

ConditionSeverityNotification Target
[Condition][Level][Who/Where]

Integration Points

External Systems

SystemIntegration TypeData ExchangeSLA Requirements
[System][Type][Data format][Requirements]

Dependent Workflows

WorkflowRelationshipTrigger Mechanism
[Workflow][Type][How triggered]

Compliance & Governance

Audit Requirements

  • Execution Logs: [Retention policy]
  • Approval Gates: [Required approvals]
  • Change Control: [Update process]

Security Controls

  • Access Control: [Permission model]
  • Secret Management: [Rotation policy]
  • Vulnerability Scanning: [Scan frequency]

Edge Cases & Exceptions

Scenario Matrix

ScenarioExpected BehaviorValidation Method
[Edge case][Behavior][How to verify]

Validation Criteria

Workflow Validation

  • VLD-001: [Validation rule]
  • VLD-002: [Validation rule]

Performance Benchmarks

  • PERF-001: [Benchmark criteria]
  • PERF-002: [Benchmark criteria]

Change Management

Update Process

  1. Specification Update: Modify this document first
  2. Review & Approval: [Approval process]
  3. Implementation: Apply changes to workflow
  4. Testing: [Validation approach]
  5. Deployment: [Release process]

Version History

VersionDateChangesAuthor
1.0[Date]Initial specification[Author]

Related Specifications

  • [Link to related workflow specs]
  • [Link to infrastructure specs]
  • [Link to deployment specs]

## Analysis Instructions

When analyzing the workflow file:

1. **Extract Core Purpose**: Identify the primary business objective
2. **Map Job Flow**: Create dependency graph showing execution order
3. **Identify Contracts**: Document inputs, outputs, and interfaces
4. **Capture Constraints**: Extract timeouts, permissions, and limits
5. **Define Quality Gates**: Identify validation and approval points
6. **Document Error Paths**: Map failure scenarios and recovery
7. **Abstract Implementation**: Focus on behavior, not syntax

## Mermaid Diagram Guidelines

### Flow Types
- **Sequential**: `A --> B --> C`
- **Parallel**: `A --> B & A --> C; B --> D & C --> D`
- **Conditional**: `A --> B{Decision}; B -->|Yes| C; B -->|No| D`

### Styling
```mermaid
style TriggerNode fill:#e1f5fe
style SuccessNode fill:#e8f5e8
style FailureNode fill:#ffebee
style ProcessNode fill:#f3e5f5

Complex Workflows

For workflows with 5+ jobs, use subgraphs:

graph TD
    subgraph "Build Phase"
        A[Lint] --> B[Test] --> C[Build]
    end
    subgraph "Deploy Phase"  
        D[Staging] --> E[Production]
    end
    C --> D

Token Optimization Strategies

  1. Use Tables: Dense information in structured format
  2. Abbreviate Consistently: Define once, use throughout
  3. Bullet Points: Avoid prose paragraphs
  4. Code Blocks: Structured data over narrative
  5. Cross-Reference: Link instead of repeat information

Focus on creating a specification that serves as both documentation and a template for workflow updates.

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