---
generator: "vaultspec-marketing discovery"
title: "How Vaultspec works - Vaultspec documentation"
description: "Vaultspec stores the reasoning and verification for a feature beside its code. One feature tag connects the records."
url: "https://vaultspec.neve.md/docs/concepts.html"
component: "site"

---

[View as Markdown](<https://vaultspec.neve.md/docs/concepts.md>)

# How Vaultspec works

Vaultspec stores the reasoning and verification for a feature beside its code. One feature tag connects the records.

| Stage | Record | Purpose | Approval |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Research | `.vault/research/` or `.vault/reference/` | Evidence, existing behavior, and options | Confirm the evidence before a decision |
| Decision | `.vault/adr/` | Chosen approach, rejected alternatives, and consequences | Approve before planning |
| Plan | `.vault/plan/` | Ordered implementation steps and verification | Approve before execution |
| Execute | `.vault/exec/` | One append-only ledger per plan: files changed and checks run, per step | Follow the approved plan |
| Review | `.vault/audit/` | Findings and their resolutions | Resolve blocking findings |

Feature indexes under `.vault/index/` are generated. Runtime state under `.vault/data/` is local and must not be committed.

## What you approve

Review the architecture decision before planning and the plan before implementation. The installed skills use your existing authorization when it covers the work. They do not promise a fixed number of approval prompts. Reject an ADR that leaves a requirement unresolved.

The review at the end is a separate gate. Record validation checks structure and links, so it can pass over an implementation nobody has proved.

## Find the current state

**Command**

```bash
uvx vaultspec-core status
```

## Where to go next

- [Run a feature from research to review](<https://vaultspec.neve.md/docs/guides/workflow.html>) - what to review at each stage.
- [Core CLI reference](<https://vaultspec.neve.md/docs/core/cli.html>) - exact commands and advanced plan management.
- [Document syntax](<https://vaultspec.neve.md/docs/core/syntax.html>) - the structure of records created by Core.