Spec to Implementation

Spec to Implementation

Convert a Notion spec into linked implementation plans, tasks, and ongoing status updates.

Quick start

1. Locate the spec with Notion:notion-search, then fetch it with Notion:notion-fetch.
2. Parse requirements and ambiguities using reference/​spec-parsing.md.
3. Create a plan page with Notion:notion-create-pages (pick a template: quick vs. full).
4. Find the task database, confirm schema, then create tasks with Notion:notion-create-pages.
5. Link spec ↔ plan ↔ tasks; keep status current with Notion:notion-update-page.

Workflow

0) If any MCP call fails because Notion MCP is not connected, pause and set it up:

1. Add the Notion MCP:
   • codex mcp add notion --url https://mcp.notion.com/​mcp
2. Enable remote MCP client:
   • Set [features].rmcp_client = true in config.toml or run codex --enable rmcp_client
3. Log in with OAuth:
   • codex mcp login notion

After successful login, the user will have to restart codex. You should finish your answer and tell them so when they try again they can continue with Step 1.

1) Locate and read the spec

• Search first (Notion:notion-search); if multiple hits, ask the user which to use.
• Fetch the page (Notion:notion-fetch) and scan for requirements, acceptance criteria, constraints, and priorities. See reference/​spec-parsing.md for extraction patterns.
• Capture gaps/​assumptions in a clarifications block before proceeding.

2) Choose plan depth

• Simple change → use reference/​quick-implementation-plan.md.
• Multi-phase feature/​migration → use reference/​standard-implementation-plan.md.
• Create the plan via Notion:notion-create-pages, include: overview, linked spec, requirements summary, phases, dependencies/​risks, and success criteria. Link back to the spec.

3) Create tasks

• Find the task database (Notion:notion-search → Notion:notion-fetch to confirm the data source and required properties). Patterns in reference/​task-creation.md.
• Size tasks to 1–2 days. Use reference/​task-creation-template.md for content (context, objective, acceptance criteria, dependencies, resources).
• Set properties: title/​action verb, status, priority, relations to spec + plan, due date/​story points/​assignee if provided.
• Create pages with Notion:notion-create-pages using the database's data_source_id.

4) Link artifacts

• Plan links to spec; tasks link to both plan and spec.
• Optionally update the spec with a short "Implementation" section pointing to the plan and tasks using Notion:notion-update-page.

5) Track progress

• Use the cadence in reference/​progress-tracking.md.
• Post updates with reference/​progress-update-template.md; close phases with reference/​milestone-summary-template.md.
• Keep checklists and status fields in plan/​tasks in sync; note blockers and decisions.

References and examples

• reference/ — parsing patterns, plan/​task templates, progress cadence (e.g., spec-parsing.md, standard-implementation-plan.md, task-creation.md, progress-tracking.md).
• examples/ — end-to-end walkthroughs (e.g., ui-component.md, api-feature.md, database-migration.md).