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054b031c1d
## 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**Deleted Bloated/Outdated Docs (2,651 lines removed):**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- Outdated workflow guides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>
170 lines
4.4 KiB
Markdown
170 lines
4.4 KiB
Markdown
# Custom Agent Installation
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Install and personalize BMAD agents in your project.
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## Quick Start
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```bash
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# From your project directory with BMAD installed
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npx bmad agent-install
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```
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Or if you have bmad-cli installed globally:
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```bash
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bmad agent-install
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```
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## What It Does
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1. **Discovers** available agent templates from your custom agents folder
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2. **Prompts** you to personalize the agent (name, behavior, preferences)
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3. **Compiles** the agent with your choices baked in
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4. **Installs** to your project's `.bmad/custom/agents/` directory
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5. **Creates** IDE commands for all your configured IDEs (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, etc.)
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6. **Saves** your configuration for automatic reinstallation during BMAD updates
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## Options
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```bash
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bmad agent-install [options]
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Options:
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-p, --path <path> Direct path to specific agent YAML file or folder
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-d, --defaults Use default values without prompting
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-t, --target <path> Target installation directory
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```
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## Example Session
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```
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🔧 BMAD Agent Installer
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Found BMAD at: /project/.bmad
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Searching for agents in: /project/.bmad/custom/agents
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Available Agents:
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1. 📄 commit-poet (simple)
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2. 📚 journal-keeper (expert)
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Select agent to install (number): 1
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Selected: commit-poet
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📛 Agent Persona Name
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Agent type: commit-poet
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Default persona: Inkwell Von Comitizen
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Custom name (or Enter for default): Fred
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Persona: Fred
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File: fred-commit-poet.md
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📝 Agent Configuration
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What's your preferred default commit message style?
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* 1. Conventional (feat/fix/chore)
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2. Narrative storytelling
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3. Poetic haiku
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4. Detailed explanation
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Choice (default: 1): 1
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How enthusiastic should the agent be?
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1. Moderate - Professional with personality
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* 2. High - Genuinely excited
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3. EXTREME - Full theatrical drama
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Choice (default: 2): 3
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Include emojis in commit messages? [Y/n]: y
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✨ Agent installed successfully!
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Name: fred-commit-poet
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Location: /project/.bmad/custom/agents/fred-commit-poet
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Compiled: fred-commit-poet.md
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✓ Source saved for reinstallation
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✓ Added to agent-manifest.csv
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✓ Created IDE commands:
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claude-code: /bmad:custom:agents:fred-commit-poet
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codex: /bmad-custom-agents-fred-commit-poet
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github-copilot: bmad-agent-custom-fred-commit-poet
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```
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## Reinstallation
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Custom agents are automatically reinstalled when you run `bmad init --quick`. Your personalization choices are preserved in `.bmad/_cfg/custom/agents/`.
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## Installing Reference Agents
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The BMAD source includes example agents you can install. **You must copy them to your project first.**
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### Step 1: Copy the Agent Template
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**For simple agents** (single file):
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```bash
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# From your project root
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cp node_modules/bmad-method/src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/stand-alone/commit-poet.agent.yaml \
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.bmad/custom/agents/
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```
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**For expert agents** (folder with sidecar files):
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```bash
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# Copy the entire folder
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cp -r node_modules/bmad-method/src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/agent-with-memory/journal-keeper \
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.bmad/custom/agents/
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```
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### Step 2: Install and Personalize
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```bash
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npx bmad agent-install
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# or: bmad agent-install
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```
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The installer will:
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1. Find the copied template in `.bmad/custom/agents/`
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2. Prompt for personalization (name, behavior, preferences)
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3. Compile and install with your choices baked in
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4. Create IDE commands for immediate use
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### Available Reference Agents
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**Simple (standalone file):**
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- `commit-poet.agent.yaml` - Commit message artisan with style preferences
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**Expert (folder with sidecar):**
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- `journal-keeper/` - Personal journal companion with memory and pattern recognition
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Find these in the BMAD source:
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```
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src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/
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├── stand-alone/
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│ └── commit-poet.agent.yaml
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└── agent-with-memory/
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└── journal-keeper/
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├── journal-keeper.agent.yaml
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└── journal-keeper-sidecar/
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```
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## Creating Your Own
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Place your `.agent.yaml` files in `.bmad/custom/agents/`. Use the reference agents as templates.
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Key sections in an agent YAML:
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- `metadata`: name, title, icon, type
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- `persona`: role, identity, communication_style, principles
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- `prompts`: reusable prompt templates
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- `menu`: numbered menu items
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- `install_config`: personalization questions (optional, at end of file)
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See the reference agents for complete examples with install_config templates and XML-style semantic tags.
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