feat: add universal document sharding support with dual-strategy loading

Implement comprehensive document sharding system across all BMM workflows enabling 90%+ token savings for large multi-epic projects through selective loading optimization.

## Document Sharding System

### Core Features
- **Universal Support**: All 12 BMM workflows (Phase 1-4) handle both whole and sharded documents
- **Dual Loading Strategy**: Full Load (Phase 1-3) vs Selective Load (Phase 4)
- **Automatic Discovery**: Workflows detect format transparently (whole → sharded priority)
- **Efficiency Optimization**: 90%+ token reduction for 10+ epic projects in Phase 4

### Implementation Details

**Phase 1-3 Workflows (7 workflows) - Full Load Strategy:**
- product-brief, prd, gdd, create-ux-design, tech-spec, architecture, solutioning-gate-check
- Load entire sharded documents when present
- Transparent to user experience
- Better organization for large projects

**Phase 4 Workflows (5 workflows) - Selective Load Strategy:**
- sprint-planning (Full Load exception - needs all epics)
- epic-tech-context, create-story, story-context, code-review (Selective Load)
- Load ONLY the specific epic needed (e.g., epic-3.md for Epic 3 stories)
- Massive efficiency: Skip loading 9 other epics in 10-epic project

### Workflow Enhancements

**Added to all workflows:**
- `input_file_patterns` in workflow.yaml with wildcard discovery
- Document Discovery section in instructions.md
- Support for sharded index + section files
- Brownfield `docs/index.md` support

**Pattern standardization:**
```yaml
input_file_patterns:
  document:
    whole: "{output_folder}/*doc*.md"
    sharded: "{output_folder}/*doc*/index.md"
    sharded_single: "{output_folder}/*doc*/section-{{id}}.md"  # Selective load
```

### Retrospective Workflow Major Overhaul

Transformed retrospective into immersive, interactive team experience:

**Epic Discovery Priority (Fixed):**
- Priority 1: Check sprint-status.yaml for last completed epic
- Priority 2: Ask user directly
- Priority 3: Scan stories folder (last resort)

**New Capabilities:**
- Deep story analysis: Extract dev notes, mistakes, review feedback, lessons learned
- Previous retro integration: Track action items, verify lessons applied
- Significant change detection: Alert when discoveries require epic updates
- Intent-based facilitation: Natural conversation vs scripted phrases
- Party mode protocol: Clear speaker identification (Name (Role): dialogue)
- Team dynamics: Drama, disagreements, diverse perspectives, authentic conflict

**Structure:**
- 12 whole-number steps (no decimals)
- Highly interactive with constant user engagement
- Cross-references previous retro for accountability
- Synthesizes patterns across all stories
- Detects architectural assumption changes

## Documentation

**Created:**
- `docs/document-sharding-guide.md` - Comprehensive 300+ line guide
  - What is sharding, when to use it (token thresholds)
  - How sharding works (discovery system, loading strategies)
  - Using shard-doc tool
  - Full Load vs Selective Load patterns
  - Complete examples and troubleshooting
  - Custom workflow integration patterns

**Updated:**
- `README.md` - Added Document Sharding feature section
- `docs/index.md` - Added under Advanced Topics → Optimization
- `src/modules/bmm/workflows/README.md` - Added sharding section with usage
- `src/modules/bmb/workflows/create-workflow/workflow-creation-guide.md` - Added complete implementation patterns for workflow builders

**Documentation levels:**
1. Overview (README.md) - Quick feature highlight
2. User guide (BMM workflows README) - Practical usage
3. Reference (document-sharding-guide.md) - Complete details
4. Builder guide (workflow-creation-guide.md) - Implementation patterns

## Efficiency Gains

**Example: 10-Epic Project**

Before sharding:
- epic-tech-context for Epic 3: Load all 10 epics (~50k tokens)
- create-story for Epic 3: Load all 10 epics (~50k tokens)
- story-context for Epic 3: Load all 10 epics (~50k tokens)

After sharding with selective load:
- epic-tech-context for Epic 3: Load Epic 3 only (~5k tokens) = 90% reduction
- create-story for Epic 3: Load Epic 3 only (~5k tokens) = 90% reduction
- story-context for Epic 3: Load Epic 3 only (~5k tokens) = 90% reduction

## Breaking Changes

None - fully backward compatible. Workflows work with existing whole documents.

## Files Changed

**Workflows Updated (25 files):**
- 7 Phase 1-3 workflows: Added full load sharding support
- 5 Phase 4 workflows: Added selective load sharding support
- 1 retrospective workflow: Complete overhaul with sharding support

**Documentation (5 files):**
- Created: document-sharding-guide.md
- Updated: README.md, docs/index.md, BMM workflows README, BMB workflow-creation-guide
- Removed: Old conversion report (obsolete)

## Future Extensibility

- BMB workflows now aware of sharding patterns
- Custom modules can easily implement sharding support
- Standard patterns documented for consistency
- No need to explain concept in future development

src/modules/bmm/workflows/1-analysis/product-brief/instructions.md

@@ -8,6 +8,24 @@
 <critical>Generate all documents in {document_output_language}</critical>
 <critical>LIVING DOCUMENT: Write to the document continuously as you discover - never wait until the end</critical>
 
+## Input Document Discovery
+
+This workflow may reference: market research, brainstorming documents, user specified other inputs, or brownfield project documentation.
+
+**Discovery Process** (execute for each referenced document):
+
+1. **Search for whole document first** - Use fuzzy file matching to find the complete document
+2. **Check for sharded version** - If whole document not found, look for `{doc-name}/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand the document structure
+   - Read ALL section files listed in the index
+   - Treat the combined content as if it were a single document
+4. **Brownfield projects**: The `document-project` workflow always creates `{output_folder}/docs/index.md`
+
+**Priority**: If both whole and sharded versions exist, use the whole document.
+
+**Fuzzy matching**: Be flexible with document names - users may use variations in naming conventions.
+
 <workflow>
 
 <step n="0" goal="Validate workflow readiness" tag="workflow-status">

src/modules/bmm/workflows/1-analysis/product-brief/workflow.yaml

@@ -19,6 +19,20 @@ recommended_inputs:
   - competitive_analysis: "Competitive analysis (optional)"
   - initial_ideas: "Initial product ideas or notes (optional)"
 
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+input_file_patterns:
+  research:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*research*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*research*/index.md"
+
+  brainstorming:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*brainstorm*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*brainstorm*/index.md"
+
+  document_project:
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/docs/index.md"
+
 # Module path and component files
 installed_path: "{project-root}/bmad/bmm/workflows/1-analysis/product-brief"
 template: "{installed_path}/template.md"

src/modules/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/create-ux-design/instructions.md

@@ -12,6 +12,24 @@
 
 <critical>DOCUMENT OUTPUT: Professional, specific, actionable UX design decisions WITH RATIONALE. User skill level ({user_skill_level}) affects conversation style ONLY, not document content.</critical>
 
+## 📚 Input Document Discovery
+
+This workflow requires: PRD or product brief, and may reference epics/stories, brainstorming documents, or brownfield project documentation.
+
+**Discovery Process** (execute for each referenced document):
+
+1. **Search for whole document first** - Use fuzzy file matching to find the complete document
+2. **Check for sharded version** - If whole document not found, look for `{doc-name}/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand the document structure
+   - Read ALL section files listed in the index
+   - Treat the combined content as if it were a single document
+4. **Brownfield projects**: The `document-project` workflow always creates `{output_folder}/docs/index.md`
+
+**Priority**: If both whole and sharded versions exist, use the whole document.
+
+**Fuzzy matching**: Be flexible with document names - users may use variations in naming conventions.
+
 <step n="0" goal="Validate workflow readiness" tag="workflow-status">
 <action>Check if {output_folder}/bmm-workflow-status.yaml exists</action>
 

src/modules/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/create-ux-design/workflow.yaml

@@ -23,6 +23,28 @@ prd_file: "{output_folder}/bmm-PRD.md or PRD.md or product-requirements.md"
 brief_file: "{output_folder}/product-brief.md or brief.md or project-brief.md"
 brainstorm_file: "{output_folder}/brainstorming.md or brainstorm.md or ideation.md"
 
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+input_file_patterns:
+  prd:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*prd*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*prd*/index.md"
+
+  product_brief:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*brief*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*brief*/index.md"
+
+  epics:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*epic*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*epic*/index.md"
+
+  brainstorming:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*brainstorm*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*brainstorm*/index.md"
+
+  document_project:
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/docs/index.md"
+
 # Module path and component files
 installed_path: "{project-root}/bmad/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/create-ux-design"
 instructions: "{installed_path}/instructions.md"

src/modules/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/gdd/instructions-gdd.md

@@ -14,6 +14,24 @@
 
 <critical>DOCUMENT OUTPUT: Concise, clear, actionable game design specs. Use tables/lists over prose. User skill level ({user_skill_level}) affects conversation style ONLY, not document content.</critical>
 
+## Input Document Discovery
+
+This workflow requires: game brief, and may reference market research or brownfield project documentation.
+
+**Discovery Process** (execute for each referenced document):
+
+1. **Search for whole document first** - Use fuzzy file matching to find the complete document
+2. **Check for sharded version** - If whole document not found, look for `{doc-name}/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand the document structure
+   - Read ALL section files listed in the index
+   - Treat the combined content as if it were a single document
+4. **Brownfield projects**: The `document-project` workflow always creates `{output_folder}/docs/index.md`
+
+**Priority**: If both whole and sharded versions exist, use the whole document.
+
+**Fuzzy matching**: Be flexible with document names - users may use variations in naming conventions.
+
 <step n="0" goal="Validate workflow and extract project configuration">
 
 <invoke-workflow path="{project-root}/bmad/bmm/workflows/workflow-status">

src/modules/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/gdd/workflow.yaml

@@ -30,6 +30,20 @@ recommended_inputs:
   - narrative_design: "{output_folder}/narrative-design.md"
   - market_research: "{output_folder}/market-research.md"
 
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+input_file_patterns:
+  game_brief:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*game-brief*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*game-brief*/index.md"
+
+  research:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*research*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*research*/index.md"
+
+  document_project:
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/docs/index.md"
+
 standalone: true
 
 web_bundle:

src/modules/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/prd/instructions.md

@@ -8,6 +8,24 @@
 <critical>LIVING DOCUMENT: Write to PRD.md continuously as you discover - never wait until the end</critical>
 <critical>GUIDING PRINCIPLE: Find and weave the product's magic throughout - what makes it special should inspire every section</critical>
 
+## 📚 Input Document Discovery
+
+This workflow requires: product brief, and may reference market research or brownfield project documentation.
+
+**Discovery Process** (execute for each referenced document):
+
+1. **Search for whole document first** - Use fuzzy file matching to find the complete document
+2. **Check for sharded version** - If whole document not found, look for `{doc-name}/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand the document structure
+   - Read ALL section files listed in the index
+   - Treat the combined content as if it were a single document
+4. **Brownfield projects**: The `document-project` workflow always creates `{output_folder}/docs/index.md`
+
+**Priority**: If both whole and sharded versions exist, use the whole document.
+
+**Fuzzy matching**: Be flexible with document names - users may use variations in naming conventions.
+
 <workflow>
 
 <step n="0" goal="Validate workflow readiness" tag="workflow-status">

src/modules/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/prd/workflow.yaml

@@ -29,6 +29,20 @@ recommended_inputs:
   - product_brief: "{output_folder}/product-brief.md"
   - market_research: "{output_folder}/market-research.md"
 
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+input_file_patterns:
+  product_brief:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*brief*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*brief*/index.md"
+
+  research:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*research*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*research*/index.md"
+
+  document_project:
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/docs/index.md"
+
 standalone: true
 
 web_bundle:

src/modules/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/tech-spec/instructions.md

@@ -13,6 +13,24 @@
 
 <critical>DOCUMENT OUTPUT: Technical, precise, definitive. Specific versions only. User skill level ({user_skill_level}) affects conversation style ONLY, not document content.</critical>
 
+## 📚 Input Document Discovery
+
+This workflow may reference: product brief, research documents, or brownfield project documentation.
+
+**Discovery Process** (execute for each referenced document):
+
+1. **Search for whole document first** - Use fuzzy file matching to find the complete document
+2. **Check for sharded version** - If whole document not found, look for `{doc-name}/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand the document structure
+   - Read ALL section files listed in the index
+   - Treat the combined content as if it were a single document
+4. **Brownfield projects**: The `document-project` workflow always creates `{output_folder}/docs/index.md`
+
+**Priority**: If both whole and sharded versions exist, use the whole document.
+
+**Fuzzy matching**: Be flexible with document names - users may use variations in naming conventions.
+
 <step n="0" goal="Validate workflow readiness" tag="workflow-status">
 <action>Check if {output_folder}/bmm-workflow-status.yaml exists</action>
 

src/modules/bmm/workflows/2-plan-workflows/tech-spec/workflow.yaml

@@ -36,6 +36,20 @@ recommended_inputs:
   - bug_report: "Bug description or issue ticket"
   - feature_request: "Brief feature description"
 
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+input_file_patterns:
+  product_brief:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*brief*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*brief*/index.md"
+
+  research:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*research*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*research*/index.md"
+
+  document_project:
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/docs/index.md"
+
 standalone: true
 
 web_bundle:

src/modules/bmm/workflows/3-solutioning/architecture/instructions.md

@@ -10,6 +10,24 @@
 <critical>Generate all documents in {document_output_language}</critical>
 <critical>This workflow replaces architecture with a conversation-driven approach</critical>
 
+## 📚 Input Document Discovery
+
+This workflow requires: PRD and epics/stories, and may reference UX design specifications or brownfield project documentation.
+
+**Discovery Process** (execute for each referenced document):
+
+1. **Search for whole document first** - Use fuzzy file matching to find the complete document
+2. **Check for sharded version** - If whole document not found, look for `{doc-name}/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand the document structure
+   - Read ALL section files listed in the index
+   - Treat the combined content as if it were a single document
+4. **Brownfield projects**: The `document-project` workflow always creates `{output_folder}/docs/index.md`
+
+**Priority**: If both whole and sharded versions exist, use the whole document.
+
+**Fuzzy matching**: Be flexible with document names - users may use variations in naming conventions.
+
 <step n="0" goal="Validate workflow readiness" tag="workflow-status">
 <action>Check if {output_folder}/bmm-workflow-status.yaml exists</action>
 

src/modules/bmm/workflows/3-solutioning/architecture/workflow.yaml

@@ -18,10 +18,23 @@ recommended_inputs:
   - epics: "Epic definitions with user stories and acceptance criteria"
   - ux_spec: "UX specification with interface designs and interaction patterns (optional)"
 
-# Input file references (fuzzy matched from output folder)
-prd_file: "{output_folder}/*PRD*, PRD.md, or prd/index.md + files"
-epics_file: "{output_folder}/bmm-epics.md or epics.md or user-stories.md"
-ux_spec_file: "{output_folder}/ux-spec.md or ux-specification.md or user-experience.md"
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+input_file_patterns:
+  prd:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*prd*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*prd*/index.md"
+
+  epics:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*epic*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*epic*/index.md"
+
+  ux_design:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*ux*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*ux*/index.md"
+
+  document_project:
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/docs/index.md"
 
 # Module path and component files
 installed_path: "{project-root}/bmad/bmm/workflows/3-solutioning/architecture"

src/modules/bmm/workflows/3-solutioning/solutioning-gate-check/instructions.md

@@ -4,6 +4,24 @@
 <critical>You MUST have already loaded and processed: {project-root}/bmad/bmm/workflows/3-solutioning/solutioning-gate-check/workflow.yaml</critical>
 <critical>Communicate all findings and analysis in {communication_language} throughout the assessment</critical>
 
+## 📚 Input Document Discovery
+
+This workflow validates: PRD, epics/stories, architecture, and may reference UX design, tech specs, or brownfield project documentation.
+
+**Discovery Process** (execute for each referenced document):
+
+1. **Search for whole document first** - Use fuzzy file matching to find the complete document
+2. **Check for sharded version** - If whole document not found, look for `{doc-name}/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand the document structure
+   - Read ALL section files listed in the index
+   - Treat the combined content as if it were a single document
+4. **Brownfield projects**: The `document-project` workflow always creates `{output_folder}/docs/index.md`
+
+**Priority**: If both whole and sharded versions exist, use the whole document.
+
+**Fuzzy matching**: Be flexible with document names - users may use variations in naming conventions.
+
 <workflow>
 
 <step n="0" goal="Validate workflow readiness" tag="workflow-status">

src/modules/bmm/workflows/3-solutioning/solutioning-gate-check/workflow.yaml

@@ -32,6 +32,32 @@ recommended_inputs:
   - epics_stories: "{output_folder}/epic*.md"
   - ux_artifacts: "{output_folder}/ux*.md"
 
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+input_file_patterns:
+  prd:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*prd*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*prd*/index.md"
+
+  epics:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*epic*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*epic*/index.md"
+
+  architecture:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*architecture*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*architecture*/index.md"
+
+  ux_design:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*ux*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*ux*/index.md"
+
+  tech_spec:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*tech-spec*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*tech-spec*/index.md"
+
+  document_project:
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/docs/index.md"
+
 # Validation criteria data
 validation_criteria: "{installed_path}/validation-criteria.yaml"
 

src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/code-review/instructions.md

@@ -16,6 +16,35 @@
 
 <critical>DOCUMENT OUTPUT: Technical review reports. Structured findings with severity levels and action items. User skill level ({user_skill_level}) affects conversation style ONLY, not review content.</critical>
 
+## 📚 Document Discovery - Selective Epic Loading
+
+**Strategy**: This workflow needs only ONE specific epic and its stories for review context, not all epics. This provides huge efficiency gains when epics are sharded.
+
+**Epic Discovery Process (SELECTIVE OPTIMIZATION):**
+
+1. **Determine which epic** you need (epic_num from story being reviewed - e.g., story "3-2-feature-name" needs Epic 3)
+2. **Check for sharded version**: Look for `epics/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand structure
+   - **Load ONLY `epic-{epic_num}.md`** (e.g., `epics/epic-3.md` for Epic 3)
+   - DO NOT load all epic files - only the one needed!
+   - This is the key efficiency optimization for large multi-epic projects
+4. **If whole document found**: Load the complete `epics.md` file and extract the relevant epic
+
+**Other Documents (architecture, ux-design) - Full Load:**
+
+1. **Search for whole document first** - Use fuzzy file matching
+2. **Check for sharded version** - If whole document not found, look for `{doc-name}/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand structure
+   - Read ALL section files listed in the index
+   - Treat combined content as single document
+4. **Brownfield projects**: The `document-project` workflow creates `{output_folder}/docs/index.md`
+
+**Priority**: If both whole and sharded versions exist, use the whole document.
+
+**UX-Heavy Projects**: Always check for ux-design documentation as it provides critical context for reviewing UI-focused stories.
+
 <workflow>
 
   <step n="1" goal="Find story ready for review" tag="sprint-status">

src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/code-review/workflow.yaml

@@ -51,6 +51,26 @@ recommended_inputs:
   - tech_spec: "Epic technical specification document (auto-discovered)"
   - story_context_file: "Story context file (.context.xml) (auto-discovered)"
 
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+# Strategy: SELECTIVE LOAD - only load the specific epic needed for this story review
+input_file_patterns:
+  architecture:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*architecture*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*architecture*/index.md"
+
+  ux_design:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*ux*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*ux*/index.md"
+
+  epics:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*epic*.md"
+    sharded_index: "{output_folder}/*epic*/index.md"
+    sharded_single: "{output_folder}/*epic*/epic-{{epic_num}}.md"
+
+  document_project:
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/docs/index.md"
+
 standalone: true
 
 web_bundle: false

src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/instructions.md

@@ -7,6 +7,35 @@
 <critical>This workflow creates or updates the next user story from epics/PRD and architecture context, saving to the configured stories directory and optionally invoking Story Context.</critical>
 <critical>DOCUMENT OUTPUT: Concise, technical, actionable story specifications. Use tables/lists for acceptance criteria and tasks.</critical>
 
+## 📚 Document Discovery - Selective Epic Loading
+
+**Strategy**: This workflow needs only ONE specific epic and its stories, not all epics. This provides huge efficiency gains when epics are sharded.
+
+**Epic Discovery Process (SELECTIVE OPTIMIZATION):**
+
+1. **Determine which epic** you need (epic_num from story context - e.g., story "3-2-feature-name" needs Epic 3)
+2. **Check for sharded version**: Look for `epics/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand structure
+   - **Load ONLY `epic-{epic_num}.md`** (e.g., `epics/epic-3.md` for Epic 3)
+   - DO NOT load all epic files - only the one needed!
+   - This is the key efficiency optimization for large multi-epic projects
+4. **If whole document found**: Load the complete `epics.md` file and extract the relevant epic
+
+**Other Documents (prd, architecture, ux-design) - Full Load:**
+
+1. **Search for whole document first** - Use fuzzy file matching
+2. **Check for sharded version** - If whole document not found, look for `{doc-name}/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand structure
+   - Read ALL section files listed in the index
+   - Treat combined content as single document
+4. **Brownfield projects**: The `document-project` workflow creates `{output_folder}/docs/index.md`
+
+**Priority**: If both whole and sharded versions exist, use the whole document.
+
+**UX-Heavy Projects**: Always check for ux-design documentation as it provides critical context for UI-focused stories.
+
 <workflow>
 
   <step n="1" goal="Load config and initialize">

src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/workflow.yaml

@@ -44,6 +44,30 @@ recommended_inputs:
   - prd: "PRD document"
   - architecture: "Architecture (optional)"
 
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+# Strategy: SELECTIVE LOAD - only load the specific epic needed for this story
+input_file_patterns:
+  prd:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*prd*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*prd*/index.md"
+
+  architecture:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*architecture*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*architecture*/index.md"
+
+  ux_design:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*ux*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*ux*/index.md"
+
+  epics:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*epic*.md"
+    sharded_index: "{output_folder}/*epic*/index.md"
+    sharded_single: "{output_folder}/*epic*/epic-{{epic_num}}.md"
+
+  document_project:
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/docs/index.md"
+
 standalone: true
 
 web_bundle: false

src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/epic-tech-context/instructions.md

@@ -7,6 +7,35 @@
 <critical>This workflow generates a comprehensive Technical Specification from PRD and Architecture, including detailed design, NFRs, acceptance criteria, and traceability mapping.</critical>
 <critical>If required inputs cannot be auto-discovered HALT with a clear message listing missing documents, allow user to provide them to proceed.</critical>
 
+## 📚 Document Discovery - Selective Epic Loading
+
+**Strategy**: This workflow needs only ONE specific epic and its stories, not all epics. This provides huge efficiency gains when epics are sharded.
+
+**Epic Discovery Process (SELECTIVE OPTIMIZATION):**
+
+1. **Determine which epic** you need (epic_num from workflow context or user input)
+2. **Check for sharded version**: Look for `epics/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand structure
+   - **Load ONLY `epic-{epic_num}.md`** (e.g., `epics/epic-3.md` for Epic 3)
+   - DO NOT load all epic files - only the one needed!
+   - This is the key efficiency optimization for large multi-epic projects
+4. **If whole document found**: Load the complete `epics.md` file and extract the relevant epic
+
+**Other Documents (prd, gdd, architecture, ux-design) - Full Load:**
+
+1. **Search for whole document first** - Use fuzzy file matching
+2. **Check for sharded version** - If whole document not found, look for `{doc-name}/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand structure
+   - Read ALL section files listed in the index
+   - Treat combined content as single document
+4. **Brownfield projects**: The `document-project` workflow creates `{output_folder}/docs/index.md`
+
+**Priority**: If both whole and sharded versions exist, use the whole document.
+
+**UX-Heavy Projects**: Always check for ux-design documentation as it provides critical context for UI-focused epics and stories.
+
 <workflow>
   <step n="1" goal="Collect inputs and discover next epic" tag="sprint-status">
     <action>Identify PRD and Architecture documents from recommended_inputs. Attempt to auto-discover at default paths.</action>

src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/epic-tech-context/workflow.yaml

@@ -9,17 +9,43 @@ user_name: "{config_source}:user_name"
 communication_language: "{config_source}:communication_language"
 date: system-generated
 
-# Inputs expected ( check output_folder or ask user if missing)
+# Inputs expected (check output_folder or ask user if missing)
 recommended_inputs:
   - prd
   - gdd
-  - spec
   - architecture
-  - ux_spec
-  - ux-design
-  - if there is an index.md then read the index.md to find other related docs that could be relevant
+  - ux_design
+  - epics (only the specific epic needed for this tech spec)
   - prior epic tech-specs for model, style and consistency reference
 
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+# Strategy: SELECTIVE LOAD - only load the specific epic needed (epic_num from context)
+input_file_patterns:
+  prd:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*prd*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*prd*/index.md"
+
+  gdd:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*gdd*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*gdd*/index.md"
+
+  architecture:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*architecture*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*architecture*/index.md"
+
+  ux_design:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*ux*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*ux*/index.md"
+
+  epics:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*epic*.md"
+    sharded_index: "{output_folder}/*epic*/index.md"
+    sharded_single: "{output_folder}/*epic*/epic-{{epic_num}}.md"
+
+  document_project:
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/docs/index.md"
+
 # Workflow components
 installed_path: "{project-root}/bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/epic-tech-context"
 template: "{installed_path}/template.md"

src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/retrospective/workflow.yaml

@@ -21,6 +21,34 @@ trigger: "Run AFTER completing an epic"
 required_inputs:
   - agent_manifest: "{project-root}/bmad/_cfg/agent-manifest.csv"
 
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+# Strategy: SELECTIVE LOAD - only load the completed epic and relevant retrospectives
+input_file_patterns:
+  epics:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*epic*.md"
+    sharded_index: "{output_folder}/*epic*/index.md"
+    sharded_single: "{output_folder}/*epic*/epic-{{epic_num}}.md"
+
+  previous_retrospective:
+    pattern: "{output_folder}/retrospectives/epic-{{prev_epic_num}}-retro-*.md"
+
+  architecture:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*architecture*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*architecture*/index.md"
+
+  prd:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*prd*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*prd*/index.md"
+
+  document_project:
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/docs/index.md"
+
+# Required files
+sprint_status_file: "{output_folder}/sprint-status.yaml"
+story_directory: "{config_source}:dev_story_location"
+retrospectives_folder: "{output_folder}/retrospectives"
+
 output_artifacts:
   - retrospective_summary: "Comprehensive review of what went well and what could improve"
   - lessons_learned: "Key insights for future epics"

src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-planning/instructions.md

@@ -3,6 +3,23 @@
 <critical>The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project-root}/bmad/core/tasks/workflow.xml</critical>
 <critical>You MUST have already loaded and processed: {project-root}/bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-planning/workflow.yaml</critical>
 
+## 📚 Document Discovery - Full Epic Loading
+
+**Strategy**: Sprint planning needs ALL epics and stories to build complete status tracking.
+
+**Epic Discovery Process:**
+
+1. **Search for whole document first** - Look for `epics.md`, `bmm-epics.md`, or any `*epic*.md` file
+2. **Check for sharded version** - If whole document not found, look for `epics/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand the document structure
+   - Read ALL epic section files listed in the index (e.g., `epic-1.md`, `epic-2.md`, etc.)
+   - Process all epics and their stories from the combined content
+   - This ensures complete sprint status coverage
+4. **Priority**: If both whole and sharded versions exist, use the whole document
+
+**Fuzzy matching**: Be flexible with document names - users may use variations like `epics.md`, `bmm-epics.md`, `user-stories.md`, etc.
+
 <workflow>
 
 <step n="1" goal="Parse epic files and extract all work items">

src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-planning/workflow.yaml

@@ -33,6 +33,14 @@ variables:
   # Output configuration
   status_file: "{output_folder}/sprint-status.yaml"
 
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+# Strategy: FULL LOAD - sprint planning needs ALL epics to build complete status
+input_file_patterns:
+  epics:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*epic*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*epic*/index.md"
+
 # Output configuration
 default_output_file: "{status_file}"
 

src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/story-context/instructions.md

@@ -11,6 +11,35 @@
 
 <critical>DOCUMENT OUTPUT: Technical context file (.context.xml). Concise, structured, project-relative paths only.</critical>
 
+## 📚 Document Discovery - Selective Epic Loading
+
+**Strategy**: This workflow needs only ONE specific epic and its stories, not all epics. This provides huge efficiency gains when epics are sharded.
+
+**Epic Discovery Process (SELECTIVE OPTIMIZATION):**
+
+1. **Determine which epic** you need (epic_num from story key - e.g., story "3-2-feature-name" needs Epic 3)
+2. **Check for sharded version**: Look for `epics/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand structure
+   - **Load ONLY `epic-{epic_num}.md`** (e.g., `epics/epic-3.md` for Epic 3)
+   - DO NOT load all epic files - only the one needed!
+   - This is the key efficiency optimization for large multi-epic projects
+4. **If whole document found**: Load the complete `epics.md` file and extract the relevant epic
+
+**Other Documents (prd, architecture, ux-design) - Full Load:**
+
+1. **Search for whole document first** - Use fuzzy file matching
+2. **Check for sharded version** - If whole document not found, look for `{doc-name}/index.md`
+3. **If sharded version found**:
+   - Read `index.md` to understand structure
+   - Read ALL section files listed in the index
+   - Treat combined content as single document
+4. **Brownfield projects**: The `document-project` workflow creates `{output_folder}/docs/index.md`
+
+**Priority**: If both whole and sharded versions exist, use the whole document.
+
+**UX-Heavy Projects**: Always check for ux-design documentation as it provides critical context for UI-focused stories.
+
 <workflow>
   <step n="1" goal="Find drafted story and check for existing context" tag="sprint-status">
     <check if="{{story_path}} is provided">

src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/story-context/workflow.yaml

@@ -23,6 +23,30 @@ variables:
   story_path: "" # Optional: Explicit story path. If not provided, finds first story with status "drafted"
   story_dir: "{config_source}:dev_story_location"
 
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+# Strategy: SELECTIVE LOAD - only load the specific epic needed for this story
+input_file_patterns:
+  prd:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*prd*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*prd*/index.md"
+
+  architecture:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*architecture*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*architecture*/index.md"
+
+  ux_design:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*ux*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*ux*/index.md"
+
+  epics:
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*epic*.md"
+    sharded_index: "{output_folder}/*epic*/index.md"
+    sharded_single: "{output_folder}/*epic*/epic-{{epic_num}}.md"
+
+  document_project:
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/docs/index.md"
+
 # Output configuration
 # Uses story_key from sprint-status.yaml (e.g., "1-2-user-authentication")
 default_output_file: "{story_dir}/{{story_key}}.context.xml"

src/modules/bmm/workflows/README.md

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ Master guide for BMM's four-phase methodology that adapts to project scale (Leve
 - **Just-In-Time Design** - Tech specs created per epic during implementation
 - **Dynamic Expertise Injection** - Story-specific technical guidance
 - **Continuous Learning Loop** - Retrospectives improve each cycle
+- **Document Sharding Support** - All workflows handle whole or sharded documents for efficiency
 
 ## Universal Entry Point
 
@@ -209,6 +210,46 @@ document-project (if needed) → Phase 1 (optional) → Phase 2 → Phase 3 (L2-
 2. **Respect scale** - Don't over-document small projects
 3. **Use status tracking** - Always know where you are
 4. **Iterate and learn** - Each epic improves the next
+5. **Consider sharding** - Split large documents (PRD, epics, architecture) for efficiency
+
+## Document Sharding
+
+For large multi-epic projects, consider sharding planning documents to improve workflow efficiency.
+
+### What is Sharding?
+
+Splits large markdown files into smaller section-based files:
+
+- PRD with 15 epics → `prd/epic-1.md`, `prd/epic-2.md`, etc.
+- Large epics file → Individual epic files
+- Architecture layers → Separate layer files
+
+### Benefits
+
+**Phase 1-3 Workflows:**
+
+- Workflows load entire sharded documents (transparent to user)
+- Better organization for large projects
+
+**Phase 4 Workflows:**
+
+- **Selective loading** - Only load the epic/section needed
+- **Massive efficiency** - 90%+ token reduction for 10+ epic projects
+- Examples: `epic-tech-context`, `create-story`, `story-context`, `code-review`
+
+### Usage
+
+```
+Load bmad-master or analyst agent:
+/shard-doc
+
+Source: docs/PRD.md
+Destination: docs/prd/
+```
+
+**All BMM workflows automatically support both whole and sharded documents.**
+
+**[→ Complete Sharding Guide](../../../docs/document-sharding-guide.md)**
 
 ---