spec-kit VS Custom Chat Modes

[borkke]

I was curious about the reasoning behind shipping this spec-kit.

I’m a big fan of the spec-driven approach—it feels like a real game changer. I’ve been experimenting with something very similar using VS Code Custom Chat Modes.

What I like about Custom Chat Modes is the flexibility: I can define different phases as modes and create templates for how I want my .md files to be structured. In fact, it feels like most of what the spec-kit offers can also be achieved with Custom Chat Modes. That makes me wonder—are these meant to remain as two separate approaches, or do you see them eventually converging into a single path?

Overall, I’m very interested in where Microsoft plans to take this spec-driven approach.

[BurtHarris]

I started creating chat modes just recently, and the two could be very powerful. Using chat mode (or two) with specific guidance to follow the spec-kit method would complement the tools provided.

[matanel-weizman]

But which added value can you get from the Cursor's custom modes that you can't just define in the constitution file? or that not already included in the spec-kit templates?

[BurtHarris]

Sorry, I don't use Cursor.

[laughedelic]

This PR basically switches from prompts to chat modes:

• (feat): Enhancements to Spec Kit #986
• it was recently demoed in this video: https://youtu.be/THpWtwZ866s?si=zI_f4BXMk-cuU5ol