Spec for Codex is a VS Code extension that brings the best of Kiro's Spec‑Driven Development into a Codex‑centric workflow. It centralizes Specs, Steering Docs, and Prompts so you can generate, review, and execute from one place—without leaving your editor.

Available on the VS Code Marketplace:

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=atman-dev.spec-for-codex-ide

> In the original terminal-based release, interacting with Codex required sending prompts through the terminal, which unfortunately reduced usability. To address this, I’ve been developing [**Spec for Codex IDE**](https://github.com/atman-33/spec-for-codex-ide), which passes the necessary prompts (such as those for spec creation) directly into the context of [Codex - OpenAI’s coding agent](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=openai.chatgpt).

## TL;DR

- Integrates with Codex CLI to generate and manage requirements, design, and tasks directly in VS Code
- Visualizes Specs in a sidebar; run each task from `tasks.md` via CodeLens and auto‑check it off
- Treat Steering Docs and Prompts as shared workspace assets to reduce decision friction
- Inspired by [notdp/kiro-for-cc](https://github.com/notdp/kiro-for-cc), redesigned around Codex CLI

## Motivation & Approach

Kiro excels at a spec‑first workflow with a thoughtful UI and model usage that meaningfully improves developer experience. I use Codex daily, so I wanted to recreate—and extend—that experience around Codex. Using [notdp/kiro-for-cc](https://github.com/notdp/kiro-for-cc) as a reference, this extension reworks the interactions, structure, and artifacts to fit Codex tightly.

## Core Features

### SPEC Management
- Create Specs: scaffold Requirements / Design / Tasks via Codex CLI
- Visual Explorer: browse and manage Specs from the sidebar
- Spec Workflow: review each stage (Requirements → Design → Tasks)
- CodeLens for Tasks: run individual tasks from `tasks.md` and auto‑mark as done

![Spec for Codex IDE – CodeLens & Views](/plants/kiro-for-codex/image.png)

### STEERING Management
- Steering Documents: browse and edit global/project‑specific guidelines
- Generated Docs: product, tech, and structure steering documents

### PROMPTS
- Create Prompts: scaffold `.codex/prompts/<name>.md` from the Prompts view
- Click to Open: open the prompt Markdown for quick review
- Inline Run Button: use ▶ to execute with Codex CLI in place
- Organize & Refresh: maintain a workspace prompt library with quick refresh
- Markdown Simplicity: plain Markdown—no front matter required

## Who It's For
- Individuals or small teams who want a smooth path from specs to implementation
- Developers who rely on Codex CLI and prefer to stay in VS Code
- Teams who value Specs, decision guidelines (Steering), and Prompts as shared assets

## Setup

### Prerequisites
- VS Code (latest)
- Codex CLI installed (`codex --version`)
- Permission to run commands at the project root

### Installation
- Marketplace: install from the listing above
- From VSIX (alternative):
  - VS Code: Extensions → … → Install from VSIX
  - CLI: `code --install-extension ./spec-for-codex-ide-x.y.z.vsix`

## Quick Start
1. Open your workspace
2. Open the “Spec for Codex” sidebar
3. Run “Create Specs” to scaffold Requirements → Design → Tasks
4. Use CodeLens ▶ in `tasks.md` to run tasks individually
5. Curate Steering/Prompts so repeated decisions and steps become reusable assets

## Architecture
- Sidebar views and CodeLens built with the VS Code Extension API
- Safely invokes Codex CLI and writes generated artifacts (Specs/Docs/Prompts) into the workspace
- Unifies creation and review in one UI to cut context‑switching

## Differences vs. Kiro / Claude Code
- Preserves the spirit of Kiro while optimizing IO layout and execution units for Codex CLI
- Learns UI/interaction patterns from [notdp/kiro-for-cc](https://github.com/notdp/kiro-for-cc) and adapts them to Codex‑specific workflows

## Use Cases
- Rapidly settle requirements → design → task breakdown for new projects
- Drive work in small increments and visualize progress via tasks
- Capture product/tech decision criteria (Steering) and reuse them across projects

## Troubleshooting
- Codex not found: verify PATH with `codex --version`
- Execution fails: check permissions at the workspace root and line endings
- Windows issues: confirm shell configuration (PowerShell/WSL)

## Roadmap
- Richer settings UI

## Repository / Credits
- GitHub: [atman-33/spec-for-codex-ide](https://github.com/atman-33/spec-for-codex-ide)
- Inspiration: [notdp/kiro-for-cc](https://github.com/notdp/kiro-for-cc)

## Closing

The goal is to bring Kiro’s delightful flow into a Codex‑first daily development loop in VS Code. Feedback and contributions are welcome—issues and PRs appreciated.

https://github.com/atman-33/spec-for-codex-ide