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Features & Namespaces

Spec Graph has two non-normative grouping node types:

  • feature: vertical product slices
  • layer: horizontal shared infrastructure

Feature Nodes (Vertical)​

A feature organizes behavior, decisions, domains, and policies for one product area.

{
  "id": "AUTH",
  "type": "feature",
  "title": "User Authentication",
  "description": "Login, session management, and logout flows",
  "links": {
    "contains": ["AUTH-01", "AUTH-02", "DOM-USER-01"],
    "depends_on": ["PLATFORM"]
  }
}

Layer Nodes (Horizontal)​

A layer groups cross-feature platform capability.

{
  "id": "PLATFORM",
  "type": "layer",
  "title": "Core Platform",
  "description": "Shared infrastructure and security/performance controls",
  "links": {
    "contains": ["DEC-PLAT-01", "POL-PLAT-SEC-01"]
  }
}

Directional Rule​

Layers are foundational. They cannot depend on product features.

  • Allowed: feature -> depends_on -> layer
  • Allowed: layer -> depends_on -> layer
  • Forbidden: layer -> depends_on -> feature

Cross-Feature Reuse​

Use layers when multiple features share the same infrastructure context.

In this pattern, billing transitively inherits platform guidance through BILLING -> AUTH -> PLATFORM.

Containment Is Membership​

contains defines grouping membership. File location is a convention, not a semantic rule.