There are two files that are created for each document: the explicit list in separate_acks.json which lists those that are to be mentioned as really authors and contributors. a template file in ack_pattern.html that contains the slots for the two lists: the ones called out explicitly, and all the others. This will be documented, but it is fairly self-evident.

The acknowledgements.html file is included into the ReSpec document using:

<section id="ack"
         class="appendix informative"
         data-include="ack-script/acknowledgements.html"
         data-include-replace="true">
</section>

To rebuild the acknowledgements file create a ~/.publ_ack.json which should include, at the minimum, the api_key for accessing the W3C API-s that gives one access to these data (see https://w3c.github.io/w3c-api/).