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Dev.to
6/17/2026
Spec-Driven Development: Let the Spec Drive the Code (With a Real Example)

Spec-Driven Development: Let the Spec Drive the Code (With a Real Example)

Short summary

Spec-Driven Development treats specifications as the single source of truth, making AI coding agents more reliable. Write a contract (like OpenAPI) before coding, then let tests validate the implementation against it—drifting code causes the build to fail. The pattern is practical for greenfield projects and anything where 'looks right' isn't good enough.

  • Treat specs as the single source of truth, not documentation afterthought
  • Define contracts (OpenAPI, Markdown) before coding to guide AI agents toward correct behavior
  • Automated tests validate code against the spec on every push—drift gets caught immediately

Generated with AI, which can make mistakes.

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