Breakthrough Method for Agile Ai Driven Development
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feat(bmad-spec): introduce Spec kernel distiller skill (#2417)
* feat(bmad-spec): add Spec kernel distiller skill

New 2-plan-workflows skill that distills any intent input (brain dump,
PRD, transcript, brief) into a spec.md carrying the five-field kernel:
Problem, Capabilities, Constraints, Non-goals, Success signal. Headless
callers receive JSON; interactive runs close conversationally with the
spec path and gap-coverage invitations.

Includes:
- SKILL.md with activation contract and conventions
- customize.toml exposing template path, output path, run-folder pattern
- assets/spec-template.md (five-field skeleton)
- assets/headless-schemas.md (JSON IO contracts)

* remove brain-dump fallback config from bmad-spec customize.toml

* refactor(bmad-spec): companions+sources model, routing tilt, flat output path

- Collapse `related:` into `companions:`; companion paths may point inside the spec folder (spec-authored) or outside it (adopted from an upstream skill), distinguished implicitly by path
- `sources:` reserved for fully-absorbed inputs; downstream does NOT read these
- Soften mutation contract: bmad-spec owns SPEC.md and spec-authored companions; adopted companions belong to their originating skill
- Add "when to spawn a companion" tilt: multi-item catalogs, tables, diagrams (always), editorial voice rules; sub-bullets in a kernel field signal it has outgrown the kernel
- Fix Spec Law rule 7 and Pass 2: load-bearing content lands in SPEC.md or a companion, not the decision log (the log records wrapper-drops only)
- Flatten output path to `{planning_artifacts}/specs/spec-{slug}-{date}/`, mirroring `prds/` and `ux-designs/`; drop `spec_folder_name` (no longer used)
- Extract Load-bearing definition into its own section above Spec Law

* chore(core): retire bmad-distillator, promote bmad-spec to core

- Delete bmad-distillator/ and all registry + doc references (superseded by bmad-spec; no skill or workflow in any BMad module invoked it)
- Add bmad-distillator to removals.txt so installer cleans it from existing IDE skill directories on update
- Move bmad-spec from bmm-skills/2-plan-workflows/ to core-skills/ (universal scope: game design, research hypotheses, editorial briefs, policy, business plans, not just software)
- Register bmad-spec in core module-help.csv and bmad-pro-skills marketplace plugin
- Drop bmad-distillator section from core-tools.md (en, vi-vn, cs, fr, zh-cn) and vi-vn dev guide; renumber subsequent sections

* refactor(bmad-spec): add lean-prose discipline + generalize help text

- Add Spec Law rule 8: lean prose. Every sentence carries load-bearing content; cut decoration, hedges, backstory, throat-clearing. Applies to SPEC.md, companions, and decision log.
- Update Self-Validate Pass 1 to enforce rules 1-6 and 8 (rule 7 stays in Pass 2)
- Prime the operation up-front: write lean from the first pass, every sentence must earn its place
- Note in Companions section that companions follow the same lean discipline
- Generalize core module-help.csv entry: domain-agnostic framing (software, game design, research, editorial, policy, business, anything intent-bearing); call out succinct, no-fluff and "locks the WHAT before the HOW" as the value props

* fix(bmad-spec): address PR review findings (CodeRabbit + Augment)

- headless-schemas.md: rewrite spec_path examples to point at the spec folder (not a file), rename source_artifact to sources[] array, add companions[] array, update verdict from "six rules" to "eight rules", disambiguate reason requirement (only when status=blocked)
- SKILL.md activation: fix config path from {project-root}/_bmad/config.yaml to {project-root}/_bmad/core/config.yaml (matches other BMM skills)
- customize.toml + SKILL.md Workspace: drop {date} from default run_folder_pattern (spec-{slug}); same slug = same folder = trivial in-place update, no glob-and-pick-most-recent needed. Override available for users who want dated history.
- spec-template.md: rename "## Success signals" (plural) to "## Success signal" (singular) to match SKILL.md kernel naming
- SKILL.md Frontmatter conventions: fix adopted-companion example path from _bmad-output/ux-designs/foo-ux/DESIGN.md to ../../ux-designs/ux-foo-bar-2026-05-23/DESIGN.md (matches actual flat-output convention)
- SKILL.md Spec Law: fix double-period typo in rule 2 ((stack, conventions)..)
- SKILL.md Overview: fix awkward "bloat with expansive line item details the kernel" phrasing; drop software-flavored downstream consumer list since bmad-spec is now a core skill serving any domain

* fix(bmad-spec): drop {planning_artifacts} dependency; output to {output_folder}/specs

bmad-spec is a core skill but its default path used {planning_artifacts}, a bmm-module variable. Core-only installs (no bmm) would fail at activation when the resolver tried to expand the path.

Land specs directly under {output_folder}/specs/spec-{slug}/ instead. Works in any install regardless of installed modules, and aligns with the long-term BMad direction of grouping artifacts as siblings under {output_folder}/<type>/ rather than nested under planning vs implementation parents.

In bmm installs, adopted-companion paths from spec to UX/PRD pick up one extra .. (e.g., ../planning-artifacts/ux-designs/<run>/DESIGN.md) since the spec folder is now one level up from planning-artifacts. Examples in SKILL.md and headless-schemas.md updated. module-help.csv output-location updated and stale -{date} fragment removed.

* docs(bmad-spec): add reference docs, trim headless schema, tighten defaults

- Add full bmad-spec entry to docs/reference/core-tools.md and table-row
  stubs to cs/fr/vi-vn/zh-cn (full translation pending).
- Strip headless-schemas.md to a minimal {status, files} success response
  and {status, error_code, reason} blocked response. Drop spec_path,
  capabilities, verdict, decision_log_path — all derivable from the files
  themselves.
- Narrow customize.toml persistent_facts default from recursive glob to
  single {project-root}/project-context.md; document override path.
- Drop unused {doc_workspace} convention line from SKILL.md.
- Clarify Self-Validate verdict handling for interactive vs headless.
- Document missing_slug error code in SKILL.md + headless schema.
2026-05-24 14:08:34 -05:00
.augment chore(tools): align Augment config with skill-validator as single source of truth 2026-03-15 17:41:54 -06:00
.claude-plugin feat(bmad-spec): introduce Spec kernel distiller skill (#2417) 2026-05-24 14:08:34 -05:00
.github fix(publish): advance @next dist-tag after stable release (#2320) 2026-04-26 10:30:41 -05:00
.husky docs: fix docs build (#1336) 2026-01-15 16:44:14 -06:00
.vscode excorcise the deamons part 1 - remove dead uneeed artifacts and items no longer being supported beyond beta of the BMM or core - but could return later as a module 2026-02-04 15:44:25 -06:00
docs feat(bmad-spec): introduce Spec kernel distiller skill (#2417) 2026-05-24 14:08:34 -05:00
evals/bmm-skills/bmad-product-brief feat(bmad-prd): new PRD skill + product-brief updates (#2378) 2026-05-13 16:45:17 -05:00
src feat(bmad-spec): introduce Spec kernel distiller skill (#2417) 2026-05-24 14:08:34 -05:00
test v6.7.0: bundle module registry, retire marketplace, refresh display names (#2388) 2026-05-17 17:47:25 -05:00
tools refactor(bmad-ux): spine-based UX skill (DESIGN.md + EXPERIENCE.md) (#2413) 2026-05-22 23:16:06 -05:00
website feat(bmad-prd): new PRD skill + product-brief updates (#2378) 2026-05-13 16:45:17 -05:00
.coderabbit.yaml feat(coderabbit): add docs-staleness check for all src/ changes 2026-03-17 15:30:32 -06:00
.gitignore feat(skills): TOML-based agent and workflow customization (#2284) 2026-04-19 19:30:29 -05:00
.markdownlint-cli2.yaml refactor: replace 'execute' with 'Read fully and follow:' in workflow prompts (#1387) 2026-01-23 22:25:19 -06:00
.npmignore chore: remove dead agent schema validation infrastructure 2026-03-17 20:20:12 -06:00
.npmrc fix: resolve npm install peer dependency issues 2026-01-30 15:37:42 +00:00
.nvmrc feat: v6.0.0-alpha.0 - the future is now 2025-09-28 23:17:07 -05:00
.prettierignore refactor(bmad-ux): spine-based UX skill (DESIGN.md + EXPERIENCE.md) (#2413) 2026-05-22 23:16:06 -05:00
AGENTS.md feat(tools): add deterministic skill validator for CI 2026-03-17 23:49:01 -06:00
CHANGELOG.md docs(changelog): add v6.7.1 entry for installer stale-module fix (#2393) 2026-05-18 08:56:41 -05:00
CNAME Add CNAME file 2026-01-07 18:18:12 +08:00
CONTRIBUTING.md docs: add contribution guardrails for unsolicited PRs (#2207) 2026-04-04 12:13:06 -05:00
CONTRIBUTORS.md project licence, contribution and discord noise updates, along with improved simplified issue templates 2026-01-18 17:03:47 -06:00
LICENSE project licence, contribution and discord noise updates, along with improved simplified issue templates 2026-01-18 17:03:47 -06:00
README.md feat(prompts): add directory prompt with updated Clack runtime (#2387) 2026-05-16 18:30:25 -05:00
README_CN.md chore: remove SM agent (Bob) and migrate to Developer agent (#2186) 2026-04-02 12:25:24 -07:00
README_VN.md docs(vi-vn): sync translations and add missing checkpoint-preview page (#2222) 2026-04-09 20:49:18 -07:00
SECURITY.md Enhance security policy documentation (#1312) 2026-01-14 16:27:52 -06:00
TRADEMARK.md project licence, contribution and discord noise updates, along with improved simplified issue templates 2026-01-18 17:03:47 -06:00
Wordmark.png feat: update website header with new BMAD Method branding (#1352) 2026-01-18 00:25:12 -06:00
banner-bmad-method.png feat: update website header with new BMAD Method branding (#1352) 2026-01-18 00:25:12 -06:00
bmad-modules.yaml v6.7.0: bundle module registry, retire marketplace, refresh display names (#2388) 2026-05-17 17:47:25 -05:00
eslint.config.mjs feat(skills): TOML-based agent and workflow customization (#2284) 2026-04-19 19:30:29 -05:00
package-lock.json chore(release): v6.7.1 [skip ci] 2026-05-18 13:59:29 +00:00
package.json chore(release): v6.7.1 [skip ci] 2026-05-18 13:59:29 +00:00
prettier.config.mjs feat: v6.0.0-alpha.0 - the future is now 2025-09-28 23:17:07 -05:00
removals.txt feat(bmad-spec): introduce Spec kernel distiller skill (#2417) 2026-05-24 14:08:34 -05:00

README.md

BMad Method

Version License: MIT Node.js Version Python Version uv Discord

Build More Architect Dreams — An AI-driven agile development module for the BMad Method Module Ecosystem, the best and most comprehensive Agile AI Driven Development framework that has true scale-adaptive intelligence that adjusts from bug fixes to enterprise systems.

100% free and open source. No paywalls. No gated content. No gated Discord. We believe in empowering everyone, not just those who can pay for a gated community or courses.

Why the BMad Method?

Traditional AI tools do the thinking for you, producing average results. BMad agents and facilitated workflows act as expert collaborators who guide you through a structured process to bring out your best thinking in partnership with the AI.

  • AI Intelligent Help — Invoke the bmad-help skill anytime for guidance on what's next
  • Scale-Domain-Adaptive — Automatically adjusts planning depth based on project complexity
  • Structured Workflows — Grounded in agile best practices across analysis, planning, architecture, and implementation
  • Specialized Agents — 12+ domain experts (PM, Architect, Developer, UX, and more)
  • Party Mode — Bring multiple agent personas into one session to collaborate and discuss
  • Complete Lifecycle — From brainstorming to deployment

Learn more at docs.bmad-method.org


🚀 What's Next for BMad?

V6 is here and we're just getting started! The BMad Method is evolving rapidly with optimizations including Cross Platform Agent Team and Sub Agent inclusion, Skills Architecture, BMad Builder v1, Dev Loop Automation, and so much more in the works.

📍 Check out the complete Roadmap →


Quick Start

Prerequisites: Node.js v20.12+ · Python 3.10+ · uv

npx bmad-method install

Want the newest prerelease build? Use npx bmad-method@next install. Expect higher churn than the default install.

Follow the installer prompts, then open your AI IDE (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.) in your project folder.

Non-Interactive Installation (for CI/CD):

npx bmad-method install --directory /path/to/project --modules bmm --tools claude-code --yes

Override any module config option with --set <module>.<key>=<value> (repeatable). Run --list-options [module] to see locally-known official keys (built-in modules plus any external officials cached on this machine):

npx bmad-method install --yes \
  --modules bmm --tools claude-code \
  --set bmm.project_knowledge=research \
  --set bmm.user_skill_level=expert

See all installation options

Not sure what to do? Ask bmad-help — it tells you exactly what's next and what's optional. You can also ask questions like bmad-help I just finished the architecture, what do I do next?

Modules

BMad Method extends with official modules for specialized domains. Available during installation or anytime after.

Module Purpose
BMad Method (BMM) Core framework with 34+ workflows
BMad Builder (BMB) Create custom BMad agents and workflows
Test Architect (TEA) Risk-based test strategy and automation
Game Dev Studio (BMGD) Game development workflows (Unity, Unreal, Godot)
Creative Intelligence Suite (CIS) Innovation, brainstorming, design thinking

Documentation

BMad Method Docs Site — Tutorials, guides, concepts, and reference

Quick links:

Community

Support BMad

BMad is free for everyone and always will be. Star this repo, buy me a coffee, or email contact@bmadcode.com for corporate sponsorship.

Contributing

We welcome contributions! See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.

License

MIT License — see LICENSE for details.


BMad and BMAD-METHOD are trademarks of BMad Code, LLC. See TRADEMARK.md for details.

Contributors

See CONTRIBUTORS.md for contributor information.