BMAD-METHOD/docs/_basement/how-to/brownfield/document-existing-project.md

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How to Document an Existing Project How to document an existing brownfield codebase using BMad Method

Use the document-project workflow to scan your entire codebase and generate comprehensive documentation about its current state.

When to Use This

  • Starting work on an undocumented legacy project
  • Documentation is outdated and needs refresh
  • AI agents need context about existing code patterns
  • Onboarding new team members

:::note[Prerequisites]

  • BMad Method installed in your project
  • Access to the codebase you want to document :::

Steps

1. Load the Analyst Agent

Start a fresh chat and load the Analyst agent.

2. Run the document-project Workflow

Tell the agent:

Run the document-project workflow

3. Let the Agent Scan Your Codebase

The workflow will:

  • Scan your codebase structure
  • Identify architecture patterns
  • Document the technology stack
  • Create reference documentation
  • Generate a PRD-like document from existing code

4. Review the Generated Documentation

The output will be saved to project-documentation-{date}.md in your output folder.

Review the documentation for:

  • Accuracy of detected patterns
  • Completeness of architecture description
  • Any missing business rules or intent

What You Get

  • Project overview - High-level description of what the project does
  • Technology stack - Detected frameworks, libraries, and tools
  • Architecture patterns - Code organization and design patterns found
  • Business rules - Logic extracted from the codebase
  • Integration points - External APIs and services

Tips

  • Run this before any major brownfield work
  • Keep the documentation updated as the project evolves
  • Use it as input for future PRD creation