fix(templates): pick up manual edits when regenerating artifacts

.changeset/reread-dependencies-before-regenerating.md

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+"@fission-ai/openspec": patch
+---
+
+### Fixes
+
+- **Regenerated artifacts now pick up your manual edits** — the continue, propose, and fast-forward workflows (and the `openspec instructions` dependency block) now tell the agent to re-read dependency artifacts from disk before creating the next one, instead of trusting whatever version it saw earlier in the conversation. Previously, editing `spec.md` and deleting `design.md`/`tasks.md` to regenerate them could silently produce artifacts based on the stale, pre-edit content.

src/commands/workflow/instructions.ts

@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ export function printInstructionsText(instructions: ArtifactInstructions, isBloc
   // Dependencies (files to read for context)
   if (dependencies.length > 0) {
     console.log('<dependencies>');
-    console.log('Read these files for context before creating this artifact:');
+    console.log('Read the current contents of these files before creating this artifact (re-read them from disk even if you saw them earlier - they may have been edited):');
     console.log();
     for (const dep of dependencies) {
       const status = dep.done ? 'done' : 'missing';

src/core/templates/workflows/continue-change.ts

@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ ${STORE_SELECTION_GUIDANCE}
      - \`resolvedOutputPath\`: Resolved path or pattern to write the artifact
      - \`dependencies\`: Completed artifacts to read for context
    - **Create the artifact file**:
-     - Read any completed dependency files for context
+     - Read any completed dependency files for context - always re-read them from disk, even if you saw them earlier in the conversation (the user may have edited them)
      - Use \`template\` as the structure - fill in its sections
      - Apply \`context\` and \`rules\` as constraints when writing - but do NOT copy them into the file
      - Write to the \`resolvedOutputPath\` specified in instructions. If it is a glob pattern, choose the concrete file path using the schema instruction and the change's context
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ For other schemas, follow the \`instruction\` field from the CLI output.
 
 **Guardrails**
 - Create ONE artifact per invocation
-- Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one
+- Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one - re-read from disk, not from conversation memory (files may have changed since you last saw them)
 - Never skip artifacts or create out of order
 - If context is unclear, ask the user before creating
 - Verify the artifact file exists after writing before marking progress
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ ${STORE_SELECTION_GUIDANCE}
      - \`resolvedOutputPath\`: Resolved path or pattern to write the artifact
      - \`dependencies\`: Completed artifacts to read for context
    - **Create the artifact file**:
-     - Read any completed dependency files for context
+     - Read any completed dependency files for context - always re-read them from disk, even if you saw them earlier in the conversation (the user may have edited them)
      - Use \`template\` as the structure - fill in its sections
      - Apply \`context\` and \`rules\` as constraints when writing - but do NOT copy them into the file
      - Write to the \`resolvedOutputPath\` specified in instructions. If it is a glob pattern, choose the concrete file path using the schema instruction and the change's context
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ For other schemas, follow the \`instruction\` field from the CLI output.
 
 **Guardrails**
 - Create ONE artifact per invocation
-- Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one
+- Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one - re-read from disk, not from conversation memory (files may have changed since you last saw them)
 - Never skip artifacts or create out of order
 - If context is unclear, ask the user before creating
 - Verify the artifact file exists after writing before marking progress

src/core/templates/workflows/ff-change.ts

@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ ${STORE_SELECTION_GUIDANCE}
         - \`instruction\`: Schema-specific guidance for this artifact type
         - \`resolvedOutputPath\`: Resolved path or pattern to write the artifact
         - \`dependencies\`: Completed artifacts to read for context
-      - Read any completed dependency files for context
+      - Read any completed dependency files for context - always re-read them from disk, even if you saw them earlier in the conversation (the user may have edited them)
       - Create the artifact file using \`template\` as the structure and write it to \`resolvedOutputPath\`
       - Apply \`context\` and \`rules\` as constraints - but do NOT copy them into the file
       - Show brief progress: "✓ Created <artifact-id>"
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ After completing all artifacts, summarize:
 
 **Guardrails**
 - Create ALL artifacts needed for implementation (as defined by schema's \`apply.requires\`)
-- Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one
+- Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one - re-read from disk, not from conversation memory (files may have changed since you last saw them)
 - If context is critically unclear, ask the user - but prefer making reasonable decisions to keep momentum
 - If a change with that name already exists, suggest continuing that change instead
 - Verify each artifact file exists after writing before proceeding to next`,
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ ${STORE_SELECTION_GUIDANCE}
         - \`instruction\`: Schema-specific guidance for this artifact type
         - \`resolvedOutputPath\`: Resolved path or pattern to write the artifact
         - \`dependencies\`: Completed artifacts to read for context
-      - Read any completed dependency files for context
+      - Read any completed dependency files for context - always re-read them from disk, even if you saw them earlier in the conversation (the user may have edited them)
       - Create the artifact file using \`template\` as the structure and write it to \`resolvedOutputPath\`
       - Apply \`context\` and \`rules\` as constraints - but do NOT copy them into the file
       - Show brief progress: "✓ Created <artifact-id>"
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ After completing all artifacts, summarize:
 
 **Guardrails**
 - Create ALL artifacts needed for implementation (as defined by schema's \`apply.requires\`)
-- Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one
+- Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one - re-read from disk, not from conversation memory (files may have changed since you last saw them)
 - If context is critically unclear, ask the user - but prefer making reasonable decisions to keep momentum
 - If a change with that name already exists, ask if user wants to continue it or create a new one
 - Verify each artifact file exists after writing before proceeding to next`

src/core/templates/workflows/propose.ts

@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ ${STORE_SELECTION_GUIDANCE}
         - \`instruction\`: Schema-specific guidance for this artifact type
         - \`resolvedOutputPath\`: Resolved path or pattern to write the artifact
         - \`dependencies\`: Completed artifacts to read for context
-      - Read any completed dependency files for context
+      - Read any completed dependency files for context - always re-read them from disk, even if you saw them earlier in the conversation (the user may have edited them)
       - Create the artifact file using \`template\` as the structure and write it to \`resolvedOutputPath\`
       - Apply \`context\` and \`rules\` as constraints - but do NOT copy them into the file
       - Show brief progress: "Created <artifact-id>"
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ After completing all artifacts, summarize:
 
 **Guardrails**
 - Create ALL artifacts needed for implementation (as defined by schema's \`apply.requires\`)
-- Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one
+- Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one - re-read from disk, not from conversation memory (files may have changed since you last saw them)
 - If context is critically unclear, ask the user - but prefer making reasonable decisions to keep momentum
 - If a change with that name already exists, ask if user wants to continue it or create a new one
 - Verify each artifact file exists after writing before proceeding to next`,
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ ${STORE_SELECTION_GUIDANCE}
         - \`instruction\`: Schema-specific guidance for this artifact type
         - \`resolvedOutputPath\`: Resolved path or pattern to write the artifact
         - \`dependencies\`: Completed artifacts to read for context
-      - Read any completed dependency files for context
+      - Read any completed dependency files for context - always re-read them from disk, even if you saw them earlier in the conversation (the user may have edited them)
       - Create the artifact file using \`template\` as the structure and write it to \`resolvedOutputPath\`
       - Apply \`context\` and \`rules\` as constraints - but do NOT copy them into the file
       - Show brief progress: "Created <artifact-id>"
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ After completing all artifacts, summarize:
 
 **Guardrails**
 - Create ALL artifacts needed for implementation (as defined by schema's \`apply.requires\`)
-- Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one
+- Always read dependency artifacts before creating a new one - re-read from disk, not from conversation memory (files may have changed since you last saw them)
 - If context is critically unclear, ask the user - but prefer making reasonable decisions to keep momentum
 - If a change with that name already exists, ask if user wants to continue it or create a new one
 - Verify each artifact file exists after writing before proceeding to next`

test/core/templates/skill-templates-parity.test.ts

@@ -39,16 +39,16 @@ import { STORE_SELECTION_GUIDANCE } from '../../../src/core/templates/workflows/
 const EXPECTED_FUNCTION_HASHES: Record<string, string> = {
   getExploreSkillTemplate: '7d2f54e74fffcb36aaaa4498a4a8b033142bb25945fb9b2de532354acbe76b9c',
   getNewChangeSkillTemplate: '39663a6d2037e6697020393a66f6327506e3e3bc573b7a3556dcb7f9457dc51d',
-  getContinueChangeSkillTemplate: '1bb28875d6e5946ea2ec5f12e90f55d9784c2fa1f6e4c4e2d0eda53d861d4c75',
+  getContinueChangeSkillTemplate: 'acc07a489a30192b4bf2bbdc587a889478fbf6fffbbc9353c7775c4ca1ec5011',
   getApplyChangeSkillTemplate: '0f5a15fc7fb9ad6059a5643d0e01365d27642637a4aaebf182f9eabb45348197',
-  getFfChangeSkillTemplate: '9f4c12a1c58c723c9c45a139307eb90caf39cedd93c435bc960d0817328875e2',
+  getFfChangeSkillTemplate: '20ebb682ba89809a100cd4985c074908df5bada2bd649ca1b0f4059a63a1c728',
   getSyncSpecsSkillTemplate: 'c8d928f9cfef7f002fcf2fb0b3cdf5ca2833a06c22ac5bf2c21805f397eb63c7',
   getOnboardSkillTemplate: 'e871d8ce172bb805ae62a7611aee7a3154d89414f427ad5ef31721c903f13002',
   getOpsxExploreCommandTemplate: '37e53590aae7ac6621d4393aa80a5b8af21881323887fa924ed329199fda27e0',
   getOpsxNewCommandTemplate: '57c600cce318d16b9b4308a18d0d983ea3c0673034e606a7cceec07b4c705e87',
-  getOpsxContinueCommandTemplate: '418108b417107a87019d4020b26c105792d2ef0110fe6920445e255889216716',
+  getOpsxContinueCommandTemplate: 'f63964fab7720ede097aa48808baff196c391b962930ca960459205c724800e5',
   getOpsxApplyCommandTemplate: 'daeb507206707169de73c828e199648dde5732cbc17791ef2a027adffd028574',
-  getOpsxFfCommandTemplate: '36973ae0dd00ab169fbaaa42bf565f97e1bc97cf63ae7c07307734cc1ca8c1fd',
+  getOpsxFfCommandTemplate: 'b859b1955cda6012877ae7f9ec6980e468f2e949a3838dfcdebc17209d133749',
   getArchiveChangeSkillTemplate: '0aba77084000cdb92948ebccdc24a0c247aee47803d5ed0b8fb39676dc495355',
   getBulkArchiveChangeSkillTemplate: '0f635913757ae3d1609e111f4a8f699443ca47cbaaf8a1b21eb652f7b96a1d13',
   getOpsxSyncCommandTemplate: 'e86d0b1a52e53afada1bbcdc95bd2e53576035f314a08ef15627844c532e7173',
@@ -57,8 +57,8 @@ const EXPECTED_FUNCTION_HASHES: Record<string, string> = {
   getOpsxOnboardCommandTemplate: '0673f34a0f81fd173bcfb8c3ac83e2b1c617f7b7564e24e5298d3bd5665a05a9',
   getOpsxBulkArchiveCommandTemplate: '9f444fc7b27a5b788077b5e3aa4f61af45aa8c8004ac8d899d204fa362ff89b7',
   getOpsxVerifyCommandTemplate: '011509480a20a60342c993906f0f9280c0e9ba5d019d335bdc1ef4d53213a5a8',
-  getOpsxProposeSkillTemplate: '8dfb5e9c719d5ba547aff0d3953c076dca6b33d7223be98cbffc396b8f1e0048',
-  getOpsxProposeCommandTemplate: '7cd569beb32d99cdabd0b49615a8245160a8e152b6ea67a99fc4dd71e3f39f50',
+  getOpsxProposeSkillTemplate: '59197064a46c53264b62925a1c725af4ebe7caf9f0eaed4101990b7c13a40db1',
+  getOpsxProposeCommandTemplate: '04f808a36e850b9cdbc4f943ef324a9fd2b1b0cc59b92f127ab6cc452d66cc4e',
   getFeedbackSkillTemplate: 'd7d83c5f7fc2b92fe8f4588a5bf2d9cb315e4c73ec19bcd5ef28270906319a0d',
   getUpdateChangeSkillTemplate: 'fe2e8edaf973d42dc7fc7dfd846105c4c3cfec0437606e582ec644985cd4e81d',
   getOpsxUpdateCommandTemplate: 'e55ac5774203a7d9037d2d588889c97c53f3f930da49497cc79e865375920da7',
@@ -67,15 +67,15 @@ const EXPECTED_FUNCTION_HASHES: Record<string, string> = {
 const EXPECTED_GENERATED_SKILL_CONTENT_HASHES: Record<string, string> = {
   'openspec-explore': 'ba099821631ce75ee70af370917bbddbc88d0882ad0e50e91ed687d2185102ef',
   'openspec-new-change': 'd5b8909bea70a33b7a312b38ce204a91f40b6bb2bff12c4c06b3e11641b6a689',
-  'openspec-continue-change': '39b4467a4873cde7c97d52c80d53ac647b220bf7c9d96f4e6505f3188e1a1642',
+  'openspec-continue-change': 'bdb8bbb6a768a741b05256effbc284d65ac6a45360b59c24b94198792d3d0ebf',
   'openspec-apply-change': '09c0e1cdf5ccc82416d0969d6bd715cc70616bdbc3531358a5c36057f78be55a',
-  'openspec-ff-change': '8d5a8890eccbd97d714fbab1d73472f79ad9104b519e000264ae43d752cdf631',
+  'openspec-ff-change': '0c82830cd9bc98f86eb56b63ddaabe2bf5d35fe25b6c40a7059311aee2c8acac',
   'openspec-sync-specs': 'd7e9079b2ba7e8dd449c96872ca8b3adcb6eaefb117fd2aa132c5697c7bcac04',
   'openspec-archive-change': 'b17e2a12c7fcabf5f2a8e4dd1cd64a755c24b928a0c311c6ad98c014a4538de0',
   'openspec-bulk-archive-change': '7b09b04a440809dd7dbf0b1d7b695cbb8c41184d8d104eb32e82d7cdfb476d18',
   'openspec-verify-change': '9a8735eaaa34c278d2193eb32fa736f4b111d1c47e675971c8df40f81d20c8c3',
   'openspec-onboard': 'b1b6fc9a1b3ff64dafe9b8c39a761ee1bd001b542d47b4e4deaf058e0aa21256',
-  'openspec-propose': '0cfc9278123d973929cb4da3ea7ac8ae1b6c84b472eed4fb753657b8347eaeb9',
+  'openspec-propose': '024db4bce28d9a4d7b25fa92525da6fc701a64ac07dfdcf777d286c95b5281b5',
   'openspec-update-change': '77ff4d1f1cd08a57649cce1f25e0ebc4f55d6d032dfde5c301d1b479561b72fa',
 };