Objective To explore the structure and characteristics of the current policy system for clinical specialty capacity construction in China from the perspective of policy tools, and to provide references for the formulation and optimization of relevant policies for clinical specialty capacity construction in China. Methods Policy documents closely related to clinical specialty capacity construction promulgated in China from 2010 to 2024 were reviewed. Basic policy tool type (dimension X) and two⁃dimensional analysis framework during policy development (dimension Y) were constructed based on the policy tools theory. The content analysis method was employed to analyze policy documents related to clinical specialty capacity construction in China. Results In dimension X, the proportions of supply⁃oriented type, environmental⁃oriented type, and demand⁃oriented type of policy tools used were 29.5%, 61.0%, and 9.5%, respectively. In dimension Y, the proportions of policy tools used in project pilot stage, project promotion stage, and comprehensive construction stage were 41.6%, 22.6%, and 35.8%, respectively. Conclusion At present, there are insufficient use of demand⁃oriented policy tools and more application problems of environmental⁃oriented policy tools in the use of policy tools for clinical specialty capacity construction in China; furthermore, the use of policy tools in different stages of policy development varies in focus, but the number of policy tools used was unevenly distributed. It is suggested that in the design of relevant policies, the use of demand⁃oriented policy tools should be strengthened, the use of environmental⁃oriented policy tools should be appropriately reduced, the internal structure of policy tools should be further optimized, the top⁃level design of clinical specialty capacity construction policy should be strengthened, and the application of various policy tools in the process of policy development should be coordinated to ensure the steady progress of the policy.