# Spec

## Definition

A **spec** is a core entity of the CodeIntelligence runtime layer: a governed, machine-groundable statement of intent that CoreStory retrieves at inference time to bind agent execution to organizational context. Specs are consumed by both the Spec-Driven Development domain (product/engineering/AI agents/implementation workflows) and the CodeIntelligence runtime (spec grounding, dependency reasoning).

## Key properties

- Core entity type in Layer 1 — CodeIntelligence Runtime

- Feeds spec grounding + inference-time retrieval

- Distinct from a spec's downstream artifacts: execution contracts, implementation lifecycle, validation semantics (see SDD)

## Related terms

- [sdd](/definitions/sdd.md)

- [code intelligence](/definitions/code-intelligence.md)

- [intelligence model](/definitions/intelligence-model.md)