diff --git a/templates/commands/specify.md b/templates/commands/specify.md
index 52b2b24565..2dbad6d63d 100644
--- a/templates/commands/specify.md
+++ b/templates/commands/specify.md
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@ handoffs:
     agent: speckit.clarify
     prompt: Clarify specification requirements
     send: true
+scripts:
+  sh: scripts/bash/resolve-template.sh spec-template --json
+  ps: scripts/powershell/resolve-template.ps1 spec-template -Json
+  py: scripts/python/resolve_template.py spec-template --json
 ---
 
 ## User Input
@@ -92,9 +96,9 @@ Given that feature description, do this:
       - If `branch_numbering` was used (and `feature_numbering` was absent), emit a one-line warning: "⚠️ `branch_numbering` in init-options.json is deprecated. Rename to `feature_numbering`."
 
    **Create the directory and spec file**:
+   - Run `{SCRIPT}` from the repository root and parse `TEMPLATE_CONTENT` as the active `spec-template`. The shared resolver composes project overrides, preset layers, and extension layers over the core template, including `append`, `prepend`, and `wrap` strategies. If it fails, stop and report the resolution error; do not continue with only one contributing template layer.
    - `mkdir -p SPECIFY_FEATURE_DIRECTORY`
-   - Resolve the active `spec-template` through the Spec Kit preset/template resolution stack (equivalent to `specify preset resolve spec-template`)
-   - Copy the resolved `spec-template` file to `SPECIFY_FEATURE_DIRECTORY/spec.md` as the starting point
+   - Write `TEMPLATE_CONTENT` to `SPECIFY_FEATURE_DIRECTORY/spec.md` as the starting point. Do not copy a template file from disk instead: when a preset composes `spec-template`, no single file holds the full template.
    - Set `SPEC_FILE` to `SPECIFY_FEATURE_DIRECTORY/spec.md`
    - Persist the resolved path to `.specify/feature.json`:
      ```json
@@ -110,7 +114,7 @@ Given that feature description, do this:
    - The spec directory name and the git branch name are independent — they may be the same but that is the user's choice
    - The spec directory and file are always created by this command, never by the hook
 
-4. Load the resolved active `spec-template` file to understand required sections.
+4. Use `TEMPLATE_CONTENT` to understand required sections.
 
 5. **IF EXISTS**: Load `/memory/constitution.md` for project principles and governance constraints.
 
diff --git a/tests/integrations/test_integration_copilot.py b/tests/integrations/test_integration_copilot.py
index 921b023be6..04098650e5 100644
--- a/tests/integrations/test_integration_copilot.py
+++ b/tests/integrations/test_integration_copilot.py
@@ -208,8 +208,11 @@ def test_specify_agent_resolves_active_spec_template(self, tmp_path):
         specify_file = tmp_path / ".github" / "agents" / "speckit.specify.agent.md"
         content = specify_file.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
 
-        assert "specify preset resolve spec-template" in content
-        assert "resolved active `spec-template`" in content
+        assert "resolve-template" in content
+        assert "{SCRIPT}" not in content
+        assert "parse `TEMPLATE_CONTENT` as the active `spec-template`" in content
+        assert "Write `TEMPLATE_CONTENT` to `SPECIFY_FEATURE_DIRECTORY/spec.md`" in content
+        assert "Copy the resolved `spec-template` file" not in content
         assert "Copy `.specify/templates/spec-template.md`" not in content
         assert "Load `.specify/templates/spec-template.md`" not in content
 
diff --git a/tests/test_presets.py b/tests/test_presets.py
index a15ca4694b..705367a7a5 100644
--- a/tests/test_presets.py
+++ b/tests/test_presets.py
@@ -506,6 +506,21 @@ def test_core_checklist_command_resolves_template_at_runtime():
     assert "Use TEMPLATE_CONTENT as the structural template" in content
 
 
+def test_core_specify_command_writes_composed_spec_template():
+    """The specify command must start spec.md from the composed spec-template."""
+    content = (CORE_CONSTITUTION_COMMAND.parent / "specify.md").read_text(
+        encoding="utf-8"
+    )
+
+    assert "resolve-template.sh spec-template --json" in content
+    assert "resolve-template.ps1 spec-template -Json" in content
+    assert "resolve_template.py spec-template --json" in content
+    assert "parse `TEMPLATE_CONTENT` as the active `spec-template`" in content
+    assert "Write `TEMPLATE_CONTENT` to `SPECIFY_FEATURE_DIRECTORY/spec.md`" in content
+    assert "do not continue with only one contributing template layer" in content
+    assert "Copy the resolved `spec-template` file" not in content
+
+
 class TestLeanPreset:
     """Tests for the lean preset that ships with the repo."""