fission-ai__openspec/openspec/changes/archive/2025-01-11-add-update-command/proposal.md

Add Update Command

Why

Users need a way to update their local OpenSpec instructions (README.md and CLAUDE.md) when the OpenSpec package releases new versions with improved AI agent instructions or structural conventions.

What Changes

• Add new openspec update CLI command that updates OpenSpec instructions
• Replace openspec/README.md with the latest template
  • Safe because this file is fully OpenSpec-managed
• Update only the OpenSpec-managed block in CLAUDE.md using markers
  • Preserve all user content outside markers
  • If CLAUDE.md is missing, create it with the managed block
• Display success message after update (ASCII-safe): "Updated OpenSpec instructions"
  • A leading checkmark MAY be shown when the terminal supports it
  • Operation is idempotent (re-running yields identical results)

Impact

• Affected specs: cli-update (new capability)
• Affected code:
  • src/core/update.ts (new command class, mirrors InitCommand placement)
  • src/cli/index.ts (register new command)
  • Uses existing templates via TemplateManager and readmeTemplate

Out of Scope

• No .openspec/config.json is introduced by this change. The default directory name openspec is used.