[Feature Name] Specification

Status: Canonical (Final) Last Updated: YYYY-MM-DD Owner: Engineering

Purpose

This specification defines the [Feature Name].

It describes:

  • What the feature does
  • What problems it solves
  • What behavior is in scope and out of scope

This document defines what is built. System-wide invariants are defined in contracts and MUST NOT be redefined here.

Scope

In Scope

  • [Explicit feature behaviors]
  • [User-facing capabilities]
  • [System responsibilities]

Out of Scope (Explicit)

  • [Related but excluded behaviors]
  • [Future or deferred functionality]
  • [Anything that might otherwise be assumed]

Background / Context (Optional)

Provide context if helpful:

  • Why this feature exists
  • Prior decisions or constraints
  • Links to ADRs or historical context

Terminology

Define any feature-specific terms.

  • Term: Definition
  • Term: Definition

Do not redefine global terminology already covered elsewhere.

User Roles and Access

This feature is available to:

  • Roles:

    • [user]
    • [admin] (if applicable)

  • Subscription tiers:

    • [tier names, if applicable]

Authorization MUST comply with:

  • docs/contracts/authz-and-roles.new.md
  • docs/contracts/rls-standard.new.md

High-Level Behavior

Describe the feature at a conceptual level.

  • What happens when the feature is used
  • How the system responds
  • What outcomes are possible

Avoid UI or implementation detail here.

Functional Requirements

Core Capabilities

  • The system MUST …
  • The system MUST NOT …
  • The system SHOULD …

Use normative language (MUST / MUST NOT / SHOULD).

State Model (If Applicable)

If the feature has states, define them here.

State Description

Allowed transitions MUST be enforced server-side.

Data Model Impact

Describe any data created, modified, or read.

  • New tables:

    • [table name] (ownership, purpose)

  • Existing tables:

    • [table name] (changes, usage)

All data access MUST comply with:

  • docs/contracts/rls-standard.new.md
  • docs/contracts/data-retention.new.md

Rate Limits and Abuse Controls

Describe how the feature is constrained.

  • Per-user limits
  • Per-resource limits
  • Guardrails or suppression

Abuse enforcement MUST comply with:

  • docs/contracts/rate-limits-and-abuse.new.md

Error Handling

Define expected error conditions.

  • User-facing errors:

    • [Condition → Message]

  • System errors:

    • [Condition → Handling]

Errors MUST be safe and non-revealing.

Observability Requirements

This feature MUST emit:

  • Logs:

    • [What events]

  • Metrics:

    • [What is measured]

  • Alerts:

    • [Critical conditions]

Observability MUST comply with:

  • docs/architecture/observability-plan.new.md

Compliance Considerations

If applicable, describe:

  • Data sensitivity
  • Retention implications
  • Access logging requirements

Compliance MUST comply with:

  • docs/contracts/data-retention.new.md

Dependencies

List required dependencies:

  • Internal systems
  • External providers
  • Feature flags or config

User Experience Notes (Non-Authoritative)

Optional notes to clarify intent:

  • UX expectations
  • Copy guidance
  • Edge-case handling

UI details are finalized in flows.

Out of Scope (Reiterated)

Restate exclusions to prevent scope creep.

Acceptance Criteria

The feature is complete when:

  • All in-scope behaviors implemented
  • Authorization enforced correctly
  • RLS prevents cross-user access
  • Abuse limits enforced
  • Observability in place
  • No contract violations

References

  • docs/governance/doc-authority.new.md
  • docs/contracts/authz-and-roles.new.md
  • docs/contracts/rls-standard.new.md
  • docs/contracts/data-retention.new.md
  • docs/contracts/rate-limits-and-abuse.new.md
  • docs/architecture/system-overview.new.md

End of Document