A spec-first agent framework taxonomy: persuasion, front-loaded structure, or controls the agent cannot edit
Consort characterizes the installable spec-first agent frameworks (GitHub Spec Kit, obra/superpowers, BMAD, GSD) as agreeing on capturing intent up front and differing only in how they enforce engineering discipline, splitting enforcement into three modes: persuasion via prompt discipline the model may ignore, front-loaded structure with strong specs then a trusted build, and controls the agent runs inside but cannot bypass. Consort implements the third, using a deterministic orchestrator driving separate role agents through a spec lane and a TDD build lane, with human-approved gates, immutable tests, and a green result that must pass against a live branched database. The paper frames its claims as a pre-registered testable hypothesis rather than reporting results, so treat it as a design vocabulary for auditing your own setup, not evidence one mode wins.
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