Gherkin Format Conversion

Convert specifications between Gherkin/BDD format and other formats.

Supported Conversions

From	To	Description
EARS	Gherkin	EARS requirements to scenarios
Gherkin	EARS	Scenarios to EARS requirements
Canonical	Gherkin	Full spec to feature file
Gherkin	Canonical	Feature file to canonical spec
Inline AC	Feature	Inline criteria to .feature
Feature	Inline AC	.feature to inline criteria

Workflow

1. Load Source

   • Read source file
   • Detect current format

2. Parse Content

   • Extract requirements/scenarios
   • Identify structure

3. Convert

   • Spawn spec-converter gherkin agent
   • Transform to target format
   • Apply best practices

4. Validate

   • Check Gherkin syntax
   • Verify completeness

5. Output

   • Write .feature file or specification

Arguments

• $1 - Source file path
• --to - Target format: gherkin, feature, canonical, ears, inline
• --output - Output file path (optional)

Examples

# Canonical spec to feature file
/spec-driven-development:gherkin-convert .specs/auth/spec.md --to feature

# Feature file to canonical
/spec-driven-development:gherkin-convert tests/login.feature --to canonical

# EARS to Gherkin
/spec-driven-development:gherkin-convert ears-requirements.md --to gherkin

# Inline to feature file
/spec-driven-development:gherkin-convert spec.md --to feature --output tests/spec.feature

Conversion Examples

EARS → Gherkin

Input (EARS):

## FR-1: User Login

WHEN the user submits valid credentials,
the system SHALL authenticate the user
AND redirect to the dashboard.

### Acceptance Criteria
- AC-1.1: Valid credentials grant access
- AC-1.2: Invalid password shows error

Output (Gherkin):

Feature: User Login
  As a user
  I want to log in with my credentials
  So that I can access the dashboard

  # FR-1: User Login
  Scenario: Successful login with valid credentials
    Given a registered user exists
    When the user submits valid credentials
    Then the user is authenticated
    And the user is redirected to the dashboard

  Scenario: Failed login with invalid password
    Given a registered user exists
    When the user submits an invalid password
    Then an error message is displayed
    And the user remains on the login page

Canonical → Feature File

Input (Canonical):

# Specification: Shopping Cart

## FR-1: Add to Cart

WHEN the user clicks "Add to Cart",
the system SHALL add the item to the user's cart.

### Acceptance Criteria
- [ ] AC-1.1: Given product page, when clicking add, then item in cart
- [ ] AC-1.2: Given item in cart, when adding again, then quantity increases

Output (Feature):

# Specification: Shopping Cart
# Generated from: .specs/cart/spec.md

Feature: Shopping Cart
  As a shopper
  I want to add items to my cart
  So that I can purchase them

  @FR-1
  Scenario: Add item to cart from product page
    Given I am viewing a product page
    When I click "Add to Cart"
    Then the item is added to my cart

  @FR-1
  Scenario: Increase quantity when adding existing item
    Given I have an item in my cart
    When I add the same item again
    Then the item quantity increases by 1

Pattern Mapping

EARS Pattern	Gherkin Mapping
WHEN...SHALL	Scenario with When/Then
WHILE...SHALL	Given (continuous state)
IF...THEN...SHALL	Error/edge case scenario
WHERE...SHALL	@tag for feature toggle
Ubiquitous	Background or invariant check

Related Commands

• /spec-driven-development:gherkin-author - Create Gherkin scenarios
• /spec-driven-development:ears-convert - EARS conversions
• /spec-driven-development:convert - General format conversion