## Summary
- Track all files with TTS injection applied during installation
- Display informative summary explaining what TTS injection does
- Show backup location and restore command for recovery
## What is TTS Injection?
TTS (Text-to-Speech) injection adds voice instructions to BMAD agents,
enabling them to speak their responses aloud using AgentVibes.
Example: When you activate the PM agent, it will greet you with
spoken audio like "Hey! I'm your Project Manager. How can I help?"
## Changes
- **installer.js**: Track files in `processAgentFiles()`, `buildStandaloneAgents()`,
and `rebuildAgentFiles()` when TTS markers are processed
- **compiler.js**: Add TTS injection support for custom agent compilation
- **ui.js**: Enhanced installation summary showing:
- Explanation of what TTS injection is with example
- List of all files with TTS injection applied (grouped by type)
- Backup location (~/.bmad-tts-backups/)
- Restore command for recovery
## Example Output
```
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════
AgentVibes TTS Injection Summary
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════
What is TTS Injection?
TTS (Text-to-Speech) injection adds voice instructions to BMAD agents,
enabling them to speak their responses aloud using AgentVibes.
Example: When you activate the PM agent, it will greet you with
spoken audio like "Hey! I'm your Project Manager. How can I help?"
✅ TTS injection applied to 11 file(s):
Party Mode (multi-agent conversations):
• .bmad/core/workflows/party-mode/instructions.md
Agent TTS (individual agent voices):
• .bmad/bmm/agents/analyst.md
• .bmad/bmm/agents/architect.md
...
Backups & Recovery:
Pre-injection backups are stored in:
~/.bmad-tts-backups/
To restore original files (removes TTS instructions):
bmad-tts-injector.sh --restore /path/to/.bmad
```
🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
Co-authored-by: Paul Preibisch <paul@paulpreibisch.com>
Co-authored-by: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
## Major Features Added
- **Step-file workflow architecture**: Transform monolithic workflows into granular step files for improved LLM adherence and consistency
- **Multi-menu handler system**: New `handler-multi.xml` enables grouped menu items with fuzzy matching
- **Workflow compliance checker**: Added automated compliance validation for all workflows
- **Create/edit agent workflows**: New structured workflows for agent creation and editing
## Workflow Enhancements
- **Create-workflow**: Expanded from 6 to 14 detailed steps covering tools, design, compliance
- **Granular step execution**: Each workflow step now has dedicated files for focused execution
- **New documentation**: Added CSV data standards, intent vs prescriptive spectrum, and common tools reference
## Complete Migration Status
- **4 workflows fully migrated**: `create-agent`, `edit-agent`, `create-workflow`, and `edit-workflow` now use the new granular step-file architecture
- **Legacy transformation**: `edit-workflow` includes built-in capability to transform legacy single-file workflows into the new improved granular format
- **Future cleanup**: Legacy versions will be removed in a future commit after validation
## Schema Updates
- **Multi-menu support**: Updated agent schema to support `triggers` array for grouped menu items
- **Legacy compatibility**: Maintains backward compatibility with single `trigger` field
- **Discussion enhancements**: Added conversational_knowledge recommendation for discussion agents
## File Structure Changes
- Added: `create-agent/`, `edit-agent/`, `edit-workflow/`, `workflow-compliance-check/` workflows
- Added: Documentation standards and CSV reference files
- Refactored: `create-workflow/steps/` with detailed granular step files
## Handler Improvements
- Enhanced `handler-exec.xml` with clearer execution instructions
- Improved data passing context for executed files
- Better error handling and user guidance
This architectural change significantly improves workflow execution consistency across all LLM models by breaking complex processes into manageable, focused steps. The edit-workflow transformation tool ensures smooth migration of existing workflows to the new format.
- Add deployment-aware handler generation (filters web-only/ide-only commands)
- Remove unused run-workflow handler type (ghost handler cleanup)
- Implement missing validate-workflow and data handler generation
- Update schema validation to support exactly 6 active handler types
- Clean up activation templates and web bundler logic
- Prevent generation of unused handler instructions for better performance
- All 62 tests pass with backward compatibility maintained
## Overview
This commit represents a complete overhaul of the BMAD agent creation system, establishing clear standards for agent development, installation workflows, and persona design. The changes span documentation, tooling, reference implementations, and field-specific guidance.
## Key Components
### 1. Agent Installation Infrastructure
**New CLI Command: `agent-install`**
- Interactive agent installation with persona customization
- Supports Simple (single YAML), Expert (sidecar files), and Module agents
- Template variable processing with Handlebars-style syntax
- Automatic compilation from YAML to XML (.md) format
- Manifest tracking and IDE integration (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, etc.)
- Source preservation in `_cfg/custom/agents/` for reinstallation
**Files Created:**
- `tools/cli/commands/agent-install.js` - Main CLI command
- `tools/cli/lib/agent/compiler.js` - YAML to XML compilation engine
- `tools/cli/lib/agent/installer.js` - Installation orchestration
- `tools/cli/lib/agent/template-engine.js` - Handlebars template processing
**Compiler Features:**
- Auto-injects frontmatter, activation, handlers, help/exit menu items
- Smart handler inclusion (only includes action/workflow/exec/tmpl handlers actually used)
- Proper XML escaping and formatting
- Persona name customization (e.g., "Fred the Commit Poet")
### 2. Documentation Overhaul
**Deleted Bloated/Outdated Docs (2,651 lines removed):**
- Old verbose architecture docs
- Redundant pattern files
- Outdated workflow guides
**Created Focused, Type-Specific Docs:**
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/understanding-agent-types.md` - Architecture vs capability distinction
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/simple-agent-architecture.md` - Self-contained agents
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/expert-agent-architecture.md` - Agents with sidecar files
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/module-agent-architecture.md` - Workflow-integrated agents
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/agent-compilation.md` - YAML → XML process
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/agent-menu-patterns.md` - Menu design patterns
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/index.md` - Documentation hub
**Net Result:** ~1,930 line reduction while adding MORE value through focused content
### 3. Create-Agent Workflow Enhancements
**Critical Persona Field Guidance Added to Step 4:**
Explains how the LLM interprets each persona field when the agent activates:
- **role** → "What knowledge, skills, and capabilities do I possess?"
- **identity** → "What background, experience, and context shape my responses?"
- **communication_style** → "What verbal patterns, word choice, quirks, and phrasing do I use?"
- **principles** → "What beliefs and operating philosophy drive my choices?"
**Key Insight:** `communication_style` should ONLY describe HOW the agent talks, not restate role/identity/principles. The `communication-presets.csv` provides 60 pure communication styles with NO role/identity/principles mixed in.
**Files Updated:**
- `src/modules/bmb/workflows/create-agent/instructions.md` - Added persona field interpretation guide
- `src/modules/bmb/workflows/create-agent/brainstorm-context.md` - Refined to 137 lines
- `src/modules/bmb/workflows/create-agent/communication-presets.csv` - 60 styles across 13 categories
### 4. Reference Agent Cleanup
**Removed install_config Personality Bloat:**
Understanding: Future installer will handle personality customization, so stripped all personality toggles from reference agents.
**commit-poet.agent.yaml** (Simple Agent):
- BEFORE: 36 personality combinations (3 enthusiasm × 3 depths × 4 styles) = decision fatigue
- AFTER: Single concise persona with pure communication style
- Changed from verbose conditionals to: "Poetic drama and flair with every turn of a phrase. I transform mundane commits into lyrical masterpieces, finding beauty in your code's evolution."
- Reduction: 248 lines → 153 lines (38% reduction)
**journal-keeper.agent.yaml** (Expert Agent):
- Stripped install_config, simplified communication_style
- Shows proper Expert agent structure with sidecar files
**security-engineer.agent.yaml & trend-analyst.agent.yaml** (Module Agents):
- Added header comments explaining WHY Module Agent (design intent, not just location)
- Clarified: Module agents are designed FOR ecosystem integration, not capability-limited
**Files Updated:**
- `src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/simple-examples/commit-poet.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/expert-examples/journal-keeper/journal-keeper.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/module-examples/security-engineer.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/module-examples/trend-analyst.agent.yaml`
### 5. BMM Agent Voice Enhancement
**Gave all 9 BMM agents distinct, memorable communication voices:**
**Mary (analyst)** - The favorite! Changed from generic "systematic and probing" to:
"Treats analysis like a treasure hunt - excited by every clue, thrilled when patterns emerge. Asks questions that spark 'aha!' moments while structuring insights with precision."
**Other Notable Voices:**
- **John (pm):** "Asks 'WHY?' relentlessly like a detective on a case. Direct and data-sharp, cuts through fluff to what actually matters."
- **Winston (architect):** "Speaks in calm, pragmatic tones, balancing 'what could be' with 'what should be.' Champions boring technology that actually works."
- **Amelia (dev):** "Ultra-succinct. Speaks in file paths and AC IDs - every statement citable. No fluff, all precision."
- **Bob (sm):** "Crisp and checklist-driven. Every word has a purpose, every requirement crystal clear. Zero tolerance for ambiguity."
- **Sally (ux-designer):** "Paints pictures with words, telling user stories that make you FEEL the problem. Empathetic advocate with creative storytelling flair."
**Pattern Applied:** Moved behaviors from communication_style to principles, keeping communication_style as PURE verbal patterns.
**Files Updated:**
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/analyst.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/pm.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/architect.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/dev.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/sm.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/tea.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/tech-writer.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/ux-designer.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/frame-expert.agent.yaml`
### 6. Linting Fixes
**ESLint Compliance:**
- Replaced all `'utf-8'` with `'utf8'` (unicorn/text-encoding-identifier-case)
- Changed `variables.hasOwnProperty(varName)` to `Object.hasOwn(variables, varName)` (unicorn/prefer-object-has-own)
- Replaced `JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(...))` with `structuredClone(...)` (unicorn/prefer-structured-clone)
- Fixed empty YAML mapping values in sample files
**Files Fixed:**
- 7 JavaScript files across agent tooling (compiler, installer, commands, IDE integration)
- 1 YAML sample file
## Architecture Decisions
### Agent Types Are About Architecture, Not Capability
- **Simple:** Self-contained in single YAML (NOT limited in capability)
- **Expert:** Includes sidecar files (templates, docs, etc.)
- **Module:** Designed for BMAD ecosystem integration (workflows, cross-agent coordination)
### Persona Field Separation Critical for LLM Interpretation
The LLM needs distinct fields to understand its role:
- Mixing role/identity/principles into communication_style confuses the persona
- Pure communication styles (from communication-presets.csv) have ZERO role/identity/principles content
- Example DON'T: "Experienced analyst who uses systematic approaches..." (mixing identity + style)
- Example DO: "Systematic and probing. Structures findings hierarchically." (pure style)
### Install-Time vs Runtime Configuration
- Template variables ({{var}}) resolve at compile-time
- Runtime variables ({user_name}, {bmad_folder}) resolve when agent activates
- Future installer will handle personality customization, so agents should ship with single default persona
## Testing
- All linting passes (ESLint with max-warnings=0)
- Agent compilation tested with commit-poet, journal-keeper examples
- Install workflow validated with Simple and Expert agent types
- Manifest tracking and IDE integration verified
## Impact
This establishes BMAD as having a complete, production-ready agent creation and installation system with:
- Clear documentation for all agent types
- Automated compilation and installation
- Strong persona design guidance
- Reference implementations showing best practices
- Distinct, memorable agent voices throughout BMM module
Co-Authored-By: BMad Builder <builder@bmad.dev>
Co-Authored-By: Mary the Analyst <analyst@bmad.dev>
Co-Authored-By: Paige the Tech Writer <tech-writer@bmad.dev>
