quick-reference.md

Task-Spec quick reference

taskspec init
taskspec setup signing
taskspec setup

taskspec plan --manifest tasks/.plans/change.yaml
taskspec batch --plan tasks/.plans/change.yaml
taskspec validate tasks/T-*.md
taskspec dod tasks/T-*.md
taskspec gate --stamp tasks/T-…-leaf.md
taskspec handoff tasks/T-…-leaf.md --backend codex
taskspec run --ci tasks/T-…-leaf.md
taskspec accept --stamp tasks/T-…-leaf.md
taskspec transition T-…-leaf done

Frontmatter essentials

---
id: T-YYYYMMDD-kebab-slug
title: One-line imperative
status: ready
format_version: 3
profile: standard
effort: S
budget_iterations: 15
agent: any
parent: (none)
depends_on: []
touches_paths: [src/existing.py]
creates_paths: [tests/test_change.py]
source_note: tasks/.plans/change.yaml
created: 2026-08-11T00:00:00Z
tracker_ref: (none)
execution_backend: any
signed_off: false
signed_off_by: (none)
signed_off_at: (none)
accepted: false
accepted_by: (none)
accepted_at: (none)
---

XL/XXL nodes add children: [T-…, T-…], use empty write lists, and are not delegated. XS/S/M/L leaves omit children.

Proof chain

Step	Positive token	Meaning
Plan	TASK_PLAN=OK	Manifest is complete enough to preview
DoD	DOD=COMPLETE	Behavior/eval/Exit Check traceability is complete
Gate	TIER=1 or TIER=2	Spec is delegate-safe at the reported trust tier
Run	exit 0	Current evals pass
Accept	ACCEPTED=1	Post-gate passed; --stamp may write acceptance

Rules to remember

• Write scope is touches_paths ∪ creates_paths.
• status: done requires accepted: true.
• Never hand-edit signed_off* or accepted*.
• Valid HMAC v1 is supervised Tier 2; re-stamp for v2 authorization coverage.
• Research credentials stay outside every Task-Spec contract.
• --json, --dry-run, NO_COLOR, and TASKSPEC_COLOR are global.