Note: AI-generated content is a starting point, not a final product. Always review rewritten sections for accuracy, alignment with your agency's classification system, and compliance with applicable civil service rules before publishing or adopting a specification.
What is "Rewrite Spec with AI"?
A spec becomes outdated for a lot of reasons. Duties shift, the language goes stale, minimum qualifications stop matching what the role actually requires, or a reclassification study changes the scope of the position entirely.
Holly's rewrite feature takes your existing specification as its starting point and regenerates it based on the instructions you provide. You're not starting from scratch — you're directing a targeted revision. The more specific your instructions, the closer the output will be to what you need.
How to Rewrite a Spec with AI
Open the class specification you want to revise in Holly.
Click the Rewrite with AI option.
Confirm in the warning dialog that you want to proceed. This step exists because a rewrite replaces your current draft content, so Holly gives you a chance to cancel before that happens.
In the Rewrite spec with AI modal, enter your instructions in the Additional information field. If you're not sure where to start, select one of the suggested prompts and edit it to fit your situation.
Click Rewrite.
What to Put in the Your Instructions Field
This is the only field in the modal, and it's doing a lot of work. Holly already has your existing spec — what it needs from you is direction. Think of this field as your instruction to a colleague who's been asked to revise the document.
The more information you provide, the better the output. A single vague sentence will produce a minor cosmetic refresh. Specific, targeted instructions will produce a meaningful revision.
For a deeper dive into what makes a good AI prompt, see How to Write Effective AI Prompts in Holly.
Tip: If you're not sure how to phrase your instructions, click one of the suggested prompts in the field for a starting point you can edit.
Common things to include
Revision | Sample Prompt |
Scope or duty changes | "The role has expanded to include oversight of the applicant tracking system and onboarding coordination. Remove references to paper-based filing and add language around HRIS data integrity." |
Add/remove supervisory responsibilities | "This position is being reclassified to include supervisory responsibilities. Update the duties, decision-making authority, and minimum qualifications accordingly." |
Update Education Requirements | "Replace the associate degree minimum with a bachelor's degree requirement. Add two years of public sector experience as a requirement. A SHRM or IPMA certification should be listed as desirable." |
Language or format modernization | "Update outdated language throughout. The current spec uses passive voice heavily — revise for clarity and plain language. Restructure the duties section into bullet points." |
MOU or policy-driven changes | "Per our updated MOU, the physical requirements section needs to reflect light office work only. Remove the previous language about field work." |
Incorporating feedback from a desk audit or SME interview | "Attached are notes from a recent desk audit. The incumbent spends roughly 60% of their time on benefits administration, which is not reflected in the current spec. Revise the duties section to reflect this." |
Tips for a Strong Rewrite Prompt
Be directive, not descriptive. Tell the AI what to change, not just what the role does. "Add supervisory language" is more useful than "this person manages a team."
Call out what to keep. If parts of the current spec are working well, say so — for example, "The minimum qualifications section is accurate; focus changes on the duties and distinguishing characteristics sections."
Reference the level. If the rewrite is tied to a reclassification, name the target level explicitly.
One revision goal at a time is fine. You don't need to overhaul everything at once. A focused rewrite of one section often produces better results than a sweeping overhaul.
After You Rewrite
Holly generates a revised draft based on your existing spec plus the instructions you provided. A toast notification confirms the rewrite is complete and includes an Undo button. This toast stays on screen until you either click Undo or navigate away.
Once the rewrite is complete, you can:
Use the Show edits toggle to compare the rewrite against the original to review what changed
Edit any section directly in the spec editor
Run another rewrite with updated instructions if the first pass missed the mark
Review the output carefully, particularly duties language, qualifications, and any section you didn't explicitly instruct the AI to change.
If you want to understand how rewriting compares to other editing options in Holly, see Advanced Editing: Rewriting vs. Editing and Regeneration.