github/spec-kit · error · OSError

Failed to commit workflow file ({commit_exc}); failed to res

Error message

Failed to commit workflow file ({commit_exc}); failed to restore the prior workflow from {backup_file} ({restore_exc}). The prior workflow remains at {backup_file}.

What it means

Error "Failed to commit workflow file ({commit_exc}); failed to restore the prior workflow from {backup_file} ({restore_exc}). The prior workflow remains at {backup_file}." thrown in github/spec-kit.

Source

Thrown at src/specify_cli/workflows/_commands.py:801

                and os.path.samestat(placeholder_state, backup_state)
            ):
                try:
                    backup_file.unlink(missing_ok=True)
                except OSError:
                    pass
            raise
        try:
            if isinstance(staged_file, _StagedWorkflowFile):
                staged_file.verify_path()
                # Windows cannot replace an open file. Verify through the
                # exclusive descriptor, then close immediately before rename.
                staged_file.close()
            os.replace(staged_path, dest_file)
        except BaseException as commit_exc:
            try:
                os.replace(backup_file, dest_file)
            except OSError as restore_exc:
                raise OSError(
                    f"Failed to commit workflow file ({commit_exc}); failed "
                    f"to restore the prior workflow from {backup_file} "
                    f"({restore_exc}). The prior workflow remains at "
                    f"{backup_file}."
                ) from restore_exc
            raise
        return backup_file
    if isinstance(staged_file, _StagedWorkflowFile):
        staged_file.verify_path()
        staged_file.close()
    os.replace(staged_path, dest_file)
    return None


def _discard_staged_workflow_file(
    staged_file: Path | _StagedWorkflowFile,
    dest_dir: Path,
    existed_before: bool,

View on GitHub (pinned to bf88c9f9a8)

Solutions

1. Manually restore the prior workflow from the reported backup file, then retry the operation.

When it happens

Trigger: Thrown at src/specify_cli/workflows/_commands.py:801 when the library encounters an invalid state.

Common situations: See trigger scenarios.

AI-assisted analysis of github/spec-kit@bf88c9f9a8 (2026-08-14). Data as JSON: /api/errors/55b1a11b4e2bb0cc. Report an issue: GitHub.