Speckit Deprecate

Speckit Deprecate Skill

The user input to you can be provided directly by the agent or as a command argument - you MUST consider it before proceeding with the prompt (if not empty).

User input:

$ARGUMENTS

The text the user typed after /speckit.deprecate in the triggering message can be:

• /speckit.deprecate "reason" - Direct with feature number
• /speckit.deprecate "reason" - Interactive (will prompt for feature selection)

For example: /speckit.deprecate 014 "low usage and high maintenance burden" or /speckit.deprecate "low usage". Assume you always have it available even if $ARGUMENTS appears literally below.

📦 DEPRECATION WORKFLOW - PHASED SUNSET

Given that input, do this:

1. Parse $ARGUMENTS to check if feature number is provided

• If starts with 3 digits (e.g., "014 low usage"), extract feature number and reason
• If no leading digits (e.g., "low usage"), treat as reason-only (interactive mode)

1. If interactive mode (no feature number provided):

a. Run .specify/scripts/bash/create-deprecate.sh --list-features "$REASON" to get list of features b. Parse the JSON output which contains: {"mode":"list","reason":"...","features":[...]} c. Present the features list to the user in a clear, numbered format: ``` Which feature do you want to deprecate?

1. 001 - ability-for-new
2. 002 - ability-for-users
3. 014 - edit-profile-form

...

Type the feature number (e.g., 014) or respond with the line number (e.g., 3). ``` d. Wait for user response with their selection e. Extract the feature number from their response (handle both "014" and "3" formats) f. Continue to step 3 with the selected feature number

1. Normal workflow (feature number now available):

Run the script .specify/scripts/bash/create-deprecate.sh --json "$FEATURE_NUM" "$REASON" from repo root and parse its JSON output for DEPRECATEID, BRANCHNAME, DEPRECATIONFILE, TASKSFILE, DEPENDENCIESFILE, FEATURENUM, FEATURE_NAME, and REASON. All file paths must be absolute. IMPORTANT You must only ever run this script once per feature selection. The JSON is provided in the terminal as output - always refer to it to get the actual content you're looking for.

1. Load .specify/extensions/workflows/deprecate/deprecation-template.md to understand the 3-phase approach (Warnings → Disabled → Removed).

1. Read the DEPENDENCIES_FILE that was auto-generated by the scan-dependencies.sh script. This contains critical information about what code depends on the feature being deprecated.

1. Write a comprehensive deprecation plan to DEPRECATION_FILE using the template structure:

• Fill in feature name and original feature reference
• Document the rationale (use the provided reason)
• Assess affected users and usage data (if available from analytics)
• Review the dependency scan results and document all dependencies
• Define migration path to alternative solution
• Set realistic timeline for 3 phases (typically 3-6 months total)
• Plan communication strategy for each phase
• Document rollback plans for each phase
• Assess risks (user impact, technical debt, business impact)

1. Report completion with Next Steps:

📦 Deprecation workflow initialized

**Deprecation ID**: [DEPRECATE_ID]
**Feature**: specs/[FEATURE_NAME] (Feature [FEATURE_NUM])
**Reason**: [REASON]
**Branch**: [BRANCH_NAME]
**Deprecation Plan**: [DEPRECATION_FILE]
**Dependencies Scan**: [DEPENDENCIES_FILE]

📋 **Next Steps:**
1. Review deprecation plan and dependency scan
2. Refine timeline for 3-phase sunset (typically 3-6 months)
3. Get stakeholder approvals (Product, Engineering, Support)
4. Run `/speckit.plan` to create detailed phase execution plans
5. Run `/speckit.tasks` to break down each phase into tasks
6. Run `/speckit.implement` to execute Phase 1 (warnings)

💡 **Reminder**: 3-phase approach ensures smooth user migration

Important Notes:

• Deprecation is a multi-month process - not a quick fix
• Each phase requires careful planning and communication
• Users need time to migrate - rushing causes churn
• The dependency scan helps identify code that will break when feature is removed
• This workflow emphasizes user communication as much as technical removal
• Always provide a migration path to an alternative solution
• Get stakeholder sign-off before starting (Product, Engineering, Support)

Interactive Mode Usage Examples:

• User: /speckit.deprecate "low usage" → Shows feature list → User selects → Creates deprecation plan
• User: /speckit.deprecate 014 "low usage" → Directly creates deprecation plan for feature 014

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: pradeepmouli
• Source: pradeepmouli/skillit
• License: MIT
• Homepage: https://pradeepmouli.github.io/skillit/

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.