Learn everything about building organized, detailed specs with stephuds tree-based system — from simple part lists to complex multi-level builds like the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut drag car.
Step 1 of 8
A spec is a tree-based document on stephud. Think of it like a folder structure on your computer, but every file contains useful information. The top level is your main project. Each sub-folder contains progressively more detailed information. Specs are perfect for documenting car builds, PC setups, gaming configs, tool or equipment configurations, and any hierarchical data you want to organize.
Step 2 of 8
Go to stephud.com/specs and click NEW SPEC in the top right. Fill in the following: Name — Be specific and include the year, make, and model. Example: 2021 Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut Drag Car Build. Details — Include key stats like HP, class rating, and PI. Example: S2 Class 998 PI, 1600 HP. Color — Pick a color that represents your project. Icon — Choose an icon shown when no picture is uploaded. Picture — Add a cover image to make your spec visually identifiable. Click Create Spec when done.
Step 3 of 8
Now add your main categories. These appear as RED folders in the tree — they contain children inside. For a car build, your categories would be: Engine and Power, Transmission and Shifting, Tires and Grip, Aerodynamics, Suspension and Handling, Brakes, Wheels and Rims, Weight and Ballast, and Conversions and Tuning. To add a child spec, hover over the parent item in the tree and click the plus button. Fill in the name and details, then click Create.
Step 4 of 8
Now add the actual parts under each category. These appear as BLUE items in the tree — they are leaf nodes with no children, containing real values. Under Engine and Power, add: Peak Horsepower — 1600 HP at 7800 RPM. Peak Torque — 1166 lb-ft at 5100 RPM. Redline — 8500 RPM. Aspiration — Twin-Turbocharged. Displacement — 5.0L Twin-Turbo V8. Fuel Type — Race Fuel 98 Octane. The key difference from categories: these are specific values, not containers. Use the format Name colon Value in the details field so they show up cleanly in the right-hand regedit panel.
Step 5 of 8
The tree uses a two-color alternating system. RED items are folders that have children inside. BLUE items are leaf values with no children. This alternating pattern continues for unlimited nesting levels. The color tells you at a glance whether an item is a container or a final value. In the right-hand regedit panel, you will always see the Name and Value of the selected item with no Type column — just clean spec data.
Step 6 of 8
Specs support access controls: Published — Toggle on to make the spec publicly visible. Unpublished specs are only visible to you. Link Only — The spec is accessible via direct URL but hidden from public listings. Password Protected — Require a password to view. Visitors will see an unlock screen. Lock Children Too — When enabled on a parent spec, all sub-specs underneath are also locked. Paid Spec — Set a price in credits. Find these options in the Access and Visibility section of the spec create and edit form.
Step 7 of 8
Made mistakes during setup? The tree supports multi-select deletion. Click the Delete button in the tree header to enter selection mode. Check the items you want to remove, then click the floating delete bar to remove them all at once. To edit any item, hover over it in the tree and click the pencil icon. A form will appear where you can change the name, details, color, icon, and all access control settings. After deleting a selected node, the view automatically navigates back to the parent item.
Step 8 of 8
1. Be specific with names — Include brand, model, and year in top-level specs. 2. Use real values — Not just categories, but actual numbers and measurements. Format details as Peak Horsepower colon 1600 HP. 3. Group related parts — Use parent category folders to organize leaf-level part specs. 4. Use icons — The car, wrench, and gear icons make specs scannable in the tree. 5. Add a cover image — Helps identify specs visually in the listing. 6. Use color coding — Pick consistent colors per category type to make the tree easier to navigate.
