Function run_spec_creation

start.py:208–268

Run Claude Code with /create-spec command to create project specification. The project path is passed as an argument so create-spec knows where to write files. Captures stderr to detect authentication errors and provide helpful guidance.

(project_dir: Path)

def run_spec_creation(project_dir: Path) -> bool:
    """
    Run Claude Code with /create-spec command to create project specification.

    The project path is passed as an argument so create-spec knows where to write files.
    Captures stderr to detect authentication errors and provide helpful guidance.
    """
    print("\n" + "=" * 50)
    print("  Project Specification Setup")
    print("=" * 50)
    print(f"\nProject directory: {project_dir}")
    print(f"Prompts will be saved to: {get_project_prompts_dir(project_dir)}")
    print("\nLaunching Claude Code for interactive spec creation...")
    print("Answer the questions to define your project.")
    print("When done, Claude will generate the spec files.")
    print("Exit Claude Code (Ctrl+C or /exit) when finished.\n")

    try:
        # Launch CLI with /create-spec command
        # Project path included in command string so it populates $ARGUMENTS
        # Capture stderr to detect auth errors while letting stdout flow to terminal
        result = subprocess.run(
            ["claude", f"/create-spec {project_dir}"],
            check=False,  # Don't raise on non-zero exit
            cwd=str(Path(__file__).parent),  # Run from project root
            stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
            text=True
        )

        # Check for authentication errors in stderr
        stderr_output = result.stderr or ""
        if result.returncode != 0 and is_auth_error(stderr_output):
            print_auth_error_help()
            return False

        # If there was stderr output but not an auth error, show it
        if stderr_output.strip() and result.returncode != 0:
            print(f"\nClaude CLI error: {stderr_output.strip()}")

        # Check if spec was created in project prompts directory
        if check_spec_exists(project_dir):
            print("\n" + "-" * 50)
            print("Spec files created successfully!")
            return True
        else:
            print("\n" + "-" * 50)
            print("Spec creation incomplete.")
            print(f"Please ensure app_spec.txt exists in: {get_project_prompts_dir(project_dir)}")
            # If failed with non-zero exit and no spec, might be auth issue
            if result.returncode != 0:
                print("\nIf you're having authentication issues, try running: claude login")
            return False

    except FileNotFoundError:
        print("\nError: 'claude' command not found.")
        print("Make sure Claude Code CLI is installed:")
        print("  npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code")
        return False