Spec-Driven Development is a structured workflow for Snowflake Cortex Code that applies SDLC discipline to AI-assisted coding. It enforces five mandatory phases — Clarify, Specify, Design, Implement, Validate — with explicit approval gates between each. The approach generates persistent artifacts (requirements.md, design.md, tasks.md) using EARS-notation requirements, ensuring every feature traces to a numbered requirement. A full walkthrough demonstrates building a 5-page Streamlit stock analytics dashboard, showing how the agent proactively identifies data gaps, locks architecture before coding, and validates all 27 requirements post-implementation. Separate workflows handle bug fixes (with regression prevention checklists) and refactors (with behavior preservation contracts). The open-source skill is installable via GitHub.
Table of contents
Why SDLC Rigor Matters for AI-Assisted DevelopmentThe Spec-Driven SkillEnd-to-End Example: Building a Stock Analytics AppGet Tianxia Jia’s stories in your inboxThe ResultBugfix Workflow: Three-Part SpecificationRefactor Workflow: Behavior PreservationGetting StartedConclusionResourceSort: