The way we write software is changing — and the developers who thrive won’t necessarily be the fastest coders, but the clearest thinkers. Spec-Driven Development (SDD) is a methodology that puts detailed, structured specifications at the center of your workflow, enabling AI coding tools to do the heavy lifting while you focus on architecture, intent, and quality.

In this talk, we’ll walk through what SDD looks like in practice: how to write specs that AI tools can actually execute on, and how shifting your planning mindset up front dramatically reduces back-and-forth, hallucinations, and rework. We’ll explore how to weave specs directly into your version control pipeline — treating them as living documents that evolve alongside your codebase and serve as a source of truth for both humans and AI alike.

We’ll also dig into the power of standardization. When you commit to consistent frameworks, conventions, and tooling, you’re not just helping your team — you’re dramatically improving the quality and predictability of AI-generated output. AI tools perform best when they have clear patterns to follow, and a standardized stack gives them exactly that.

You’ll leave with practical tips and tricks for getting started: how to structure a spec for maximum AI leverage, where SDD fits into your existing Git workflow, and how teams of any size can adopt it incrementally. Whether you’re a solo developer or leading an engineering org, Spec-Driven Development offers a path to shipping faster, more consistently, and with greater confidence.

Aaron Krauss is a Technical Lead at Clevyr based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with more than 15 years of experience in software development. He specializes in building workflow-intensive applications