BMAD-METHOD/README.md

# BMAD-METHOD

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**AI-Powered Agile Development Framework** - Transform your software development with specialized AI agents that work as your complete Agile team.

## 🚀 Quick Start

### Install a Single Agent (Recommended for First Time)

```bash
npx bmad-method install --agent pm --ide cursor
```

This installs the Product Manager agent with all its dependencies and configures it for your IDE.

### Install Complete Framework

```bash
npx bmad-method install --full --ide cursor
```

## 📋 Table of Contents

- [Overview](#overview)
- [Installation](#installation)
- [Available Agents](#available-agents)
- [Usage](#usage)
- [Project Structure](#project-structure)
- [Contributing](#contributing)

## Overview

BMAD-METHOD (Breakthrough Method of Agile AI-Driven Development) revolutionizes software development by providing specialized AI agents for every role in an Agile team. Each agent has deep expertise in their domain and can collaborate to deliver complete software projects.

### Why BMAD?

- **🎯 Specialized Expertise**: Each agent is an expert in their specific role
- **🔄 True Agile Workflow**: Follows real Agile methodologies and best practices
- **📦 Modular Design**: Use one agent or an entire team
- **🛠️ IDE Integration**: Works seamlessly with Cursor, Claude Code, and Windsurf
- **🌐 Platform Agnostic**: Use with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any AI platform

## Installation

### Method 1: CLI Installer (Recommended) 🎯

The easiest way to get started is with our interactive CLI installer:

```bash
# Interactive installation
npx bmad-method install

# Install specific agent
npx bmad-method install --agent pm --ide cursor

# Install everything
npx bmad-method install --full --ide claude-code
```

**Supported IDEs:**

The BMad Method works with any idea, but there are some built in install helpers, more coming soon.

- `cursor` - Cursor IDE with @agent commands
- `claude-code` - Claude Code with /agent commands
- `windsurf` - Windsurf with @agent commands

### Method 2: Pre-Built Web Bundles 📦

For ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini web interfaces:

1. Download bundles from `.bmad-core/web-bundles/`
2. Upload a single `.txt` bundle file to your AI chat (agents or teams)
3. Start with: "Your critical operating instructions are attached, do not break character as directed"
4. Type `/help` to see available commands

## Available Agents

### Core Development Team

| Agent       | Role               | Specialty                                     |
| ----------- | ------------------ | --------------------------------------------- |
| `analyst`   | Business Analyst   | market analysis, brainstorming, project brief |
| `pm`        | Product Manager    | Product strategy, roadmaps, PRDs              |
| `architect` | Solution Architect | System design, technical architecture         |
| `dev`       | Developer          | Code implementation across all technologies   |
| `qa`        | QA Specialist      | Testing strategies, quality assurance         |
| `ux-expert` | UX Designer        | User experience, UI design, prototypes        |
| `po`        | Product Owner      | Backlog management, story validation          |
| `sm`        | Scrum Master       | Sprint planning, story creation               |

### Meta Agents

| Agent               | Role             | Specialty                             |
| ------------------- | ---------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| `bmad-orchestrator` | Team Coordinator | Multi-agent workflows, role switching |
| `bmad-master`       | Universal Expert | All capabilities without switching    |

## Usage

### With IDE Integration

After installation with `--ide` flag:

```bash
# In Cursor
@pm Create a PRD for a task management app

# In Claude Code
/architect Design a microservices architecture

# In Windsurf
@dev Implement story 1.3
```

### With Web UI (ChatGPT/Claude/Gemini)

After uploading a bundle you can ask /help of the agent to learn what it can do

### CLI Commands

```bash
# List all available agents
npx bmad-method list

# Update existing installation with changes
npx bmad-method update

# Check installation status
npx bmad-method status
```

## Teams & Workflows

### Pre-Configured Teams

Save context by using specialized teams:

- **Team All**: Complete Agile team with all 10 agents
- **Team Fullstack**: Frontend + Backend development focus
- **Team No-UI**: Backend/API development without UX

### Workflows

Structured approaches for different scenarios:

- **Greenfield**: Starting new projects (fullstack/service/UI)
- **Brownfield**: Enhancing existing projects
- **Simple**: Quick prototypes and MVPs
- **Complex**: Enterprise and large-scale projects

## Project Structure

```plaintext
.bmad-core/
├── agents/          # Individual agent definitions
├── agent-teams/     # Team configurations
├── workflows/       # Development workflows
├── templates/       # Document templates (PRD, Architecture, etc.)
├── tasks/           # Reusable task definitions
├── checklists/      # Quality checklists
├── data/            # Knowledge base
└── web-bundles/     # Pre-built bundles

tools/
├── cli.js           # Build tool
├── installer/       # NPX installer
└── lib/             # Build utilities

expansion-packs/     # Optional add-ons (DevOps, Mobile, etc.)
```

## Advanced Features

### Dynamic Dependencies

Each agent only loads the resources it needs, keeping context windows lean.

### Template System

Rich templates for all document types:

- Product Requirements (PRD)
- Architecture Documents
- User Stories
- Test Plans
- And more...

### Slash Commands

Quick actions and role switching:

- `/help` - Show available commands
- `/pm` - Switch to Product Manager
- `*create-doc` - Create from template
- `*validate` - Run validations

## Contributing

We welcome contributions! See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for guidelines.

### Development Setup

```bash
git clone https://github.com/bmadcode/bmad-method.git
cd bmad-method
npm install
npm run validate  # Check configurations
npm test         # Run tests
```

## Support

- 📖 [Documentation](docs/)
- 🐛 [Issue Tracker](https://github.com/bmadcode/bmad-method/issues)
- 💬 [Discussions](https://github.com/bmadcode/bmad-method/discussions)

## License

MIT License - see [LICENSE](LICENSE) for details.

## Author

Created by Brian (BMad) Madison

---

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