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Agent Setup

SPECial provides a downloadable reference file that gives AI agents the context they need to work with SPECial-documented projects.

Install

Download special.md and place it in your agent's documentation directory:

# Claude Code
curl -o .claude/docs/SPECial.md https://the-o-space.github.io/special/special.md

# Or manually download and place at .claude/docs/SPECial.md

Once installed, the agent can navigate SPECial frontmatter, follow the dependency graph, respect staleness rules, and work with assertion tables.

What the reference covers

  • Project orientation (special.conf.toml, root file, paths)
  • Frontmatter schema and all fields
  • Scope levels (root, L0--L3) and when to read each
  • Staleness detection (modified/reviewed rules)
  • Assertions (tables, test linking, coverage workflow)
  • Guidance for modifying SPECial files and spec-covered code

Keeping it up to date

The reference tracks the current version of the SPECial standard. Re-download it when SPECial releases updates.