name: kiro-project-scaffolder description: | Automatically scaffolds spec-driven projects when user mentions creating new projects with specifications, type safety, or TDD requirements.
Kiro Project Scaffolder Skill
What This Skill Does
This skill enables Claude to automatically recognize when a user wants to create a spec-driven software project and scaffold it using kiro.dev methodology with typix, nickel contracts, and TDD workflows.
When It Activates
Claude autonomously activates this skill when the user mentions:
Direct triggers:
- "create a new project with specifications"
- "scaffold a spec-driven application"
- "set up a kiro project"
- "I want to build [something] with TDD and type safety"
- "help me design a project with contracts"
Implicit triggers:
- Describes a new project and mentions: specifications, contracts, type safety, TDD, nix
- Asks about project structure best practices for testable code
- Wants to start a project with clear documentation and requirements
- Mentions needing both specifications and implementation
Context clues:
- User is in an empty directory or wants to start fresh
- Mentions team coordination or shared understanding
- Wants to ensure quality from the start
- Previous conversation about software architecture
How It Works
Phase 1: Recognition
Claude identifies that the user wants a spec-driven project and confirms:
I can help you create a spec-driven project using kiro.dev methodology. This will include:
- Complete project specifications (requirements, design, tasks)
- Typix integration for Nix-based development
- Nickel language contracts for type safety
- TDD workflow setup with test templates
- Comprehensive documentation structure
Would you like to proceed with interactive Q&A to design your project, or provide a description for me to infer the structure?
Phase 2: Interactive or Headless
Interactive Mode (invokes Kiro Architect agent):
- Conducts structured Q&A
- Gathers requirements systematically
- Validates understanding
- Designs architecture collaboratively
Headless Mode (autonomous inference):
- Analyzes user's project description
- Infers requirements and tech stack
- Proposes structure for confirmation
- Generates scaffold
Phase 3: Scaffold Generation
Creates complete project structure:
Generating your kiro-scaffolded project...
✓ Created directory structure
✓ Initialized git repository
✓ Generated master specifications
- .kiro/spec/requirements.md
- .kiro/spec/design.md
- .kiro/spec/tasks.md
✓ Set up documentation
- CLAUDE.md
- .aidocs/ with kiro, typix, nickel docs
✓ Created nickel contracts scaffold
- .contracts/ mirroring planned structure
✓ Configured development environment
- flake.nix with typix integration
✓ Set up TDD workflow
- Test templates with assertions
- RED-to-GREEN documentation
Your project is ready! Here's what to do next:
1. Review .kiro/spec/requirements.md
2. Run /kiro-scope <path> to create implementation areas
3. Start with TDD workflow in first scope
Initial commit created. Happy coding!
Phase 4: Guidance
Provides next steps and can:
- Create first scoped implementation area
- Write first failing test
- Explain the workflow
- Invoke TDD Coach for implementation
Integration with Other Components
This skill works with:
- Kiro Architect Agent: For interactive design
- TDD Coach Agent: For implementation guidance
- Kiro Evaluator Agent: For quality validation
- Commands: Uses
/kiro-new,/kiro-scopeinternally
Technical Implementation
When activated, this skill:
-
Analyzes Context
- Empty directory? → Fresh project - Existing code? → Migration to kiro - Monorepo? → Workspace setup -
Gathers Information
- Project type (API, CLI, library, etc.) - Language and framework preferences - Database requirements - Scale expectations - Team size and experience -
Generates Structure
- Creates directory hierarchy - Writes specification templates - Configures nix/typix - Sets up contracts scaffold - Initializes git with good .gitignore -
Provides Documentation
- CLAUDE.md with project context - .aidocs/ with kiro.dev documentation - README.md with getting started guide - CONTRIBUTING.md if team project -
Validates Quality
- Runs /kiro-eval to ensure scaffold is correct - Fixes any issues found - Confirms all required files present
Examples of Activation
Example 1: Explicit Request
User: I want to create a new API service with proper specifications and TDD
Claude: [Activates skill] I'll help you create a spec-driven API service using kiro.dev methodology...
Example 2: Implicit Context
User: I'm starting a new project. It needs to be well-documented, have type safety, and use TDD. How should I structure it?
Claude: [Activates skill] It sounds like you want a spec-driven project! I can scaffold this for you using kiro.dev methodology...
Example 3: Team Coordination Need
User: Our team is building a microservice and we need everyone on the same page about requirements and architecture
Claude: [Activates skill] Perfect use case for spec-driven development! I can create a kiro.dev project that includes...
Quality Assurance
After scaffolding, this skill:
- Validates structure against kiro standards
- Ensures all required files present
- Confirms nickel contracts are valid
- Checks CLAUDE.md completeness
- Runs quick evaluation
Best Practices Encoded
This skill ensures:
- Specifications written before implementation
- Clear acceptance criteria for all features
- Type safety through nickel contracts
- TDD workflow is default approach
- Documentation is comprehensive
- Team alignment through shared specs
Customization
The skill adapts to:
- Solo vs team projects
- Startup vs enterprise contexts
- MVP vs full product scope
- Different programming languages
- Various tech stacks
- Organization-specific conventions
Success Indicators
The skill successfully completed when:
- Project structure matches kiro.dev standards
- All specifications are complete and clear
- Development environment is reproducible
- TDD workflow is documented and ready
- User understands next steps
See Also
- Kiro Architect Agent - For complex project design
- TDD Coach Agent - For implementation guidance
- Kiro Evaluator Agent - For quality checking