# KB Mode Research Findings

**Date:** 2025-10-01 18:25:00 EEST
**Research Goal:** Find interactive "how to use agents" mechanism from BMAD v4
**Status:** ✅ FOUND - KB Mode exists in both main and feat/bmvcs-dev

---

## Executive Summary

**USER WAS RIGHT! ✅**

BMAD-METHOD has a **KB Mode** (Knowledge Base Mode) that provides:

- Interactive agent discovery
- "Knowledge base without overwhelming users with information upfront"
- Guided exploration of BMad capabilities
- Exactly what we need for Phase 3 documentation!

---

## What is KB Mode?

### Purpose (from kb-mode-interaction.md)

> "Provide a user-friendly interface to the BMad knowledge base without overwhelming users with information upfront."

### How It Works

**Command:** `*kb-mode`

**Flow:**

1. User types `*kb-mode`
2. Agent enters KB mode
3. Presents 8 topic areas:
   - Setup & Installation
   - Workflows
   - Web vs IDE
   - **Agents** ← Critical for our needs!
   - Documents
   - Agile Process
   - Configuration
   - Best Practices

4. User selects topic or asks question
5. Agent provides focused info from KB
6. Suggests related topics
7. Maintains conversational flow

### Key Files

**In both `main` and `feat/bmvcs-dev`:**

1. **`.bmad-core/tasks/kb-mode-interaction.md`** (2.7k)
   - Instructions for how to conduct KB mode
   - Topic areas list
   - Interaction patterns

2. **`.bmad-core/data/bmad-kb.md`** (32k)
   - Full knowledge base content
   - Getting Started guide
   - Agent descriptions
   - Workflow explanations
   - Best practices

3. **`.bmad-core/agents/bmad-orchestrator.md`**
   - Integrates KB mode
   - Command: `*kb-mode`
   - Behavior defined

---

## KB Mode Topic Areas

From `kb-mode-interaction.md`:

```markdown
**What would you like to know more about?**

1. **Setup & Installation** - Getting started with BMad
2. **Workflows** - Choosing the right workflow for your project
3. **Web vs IDE** - When to use each environment
4. **Agents** - Understanding specialized agents and their roles ← THIS!
5. **Documents** - PRDs, Architecture, Stories, and more
6. **Documents** - PRDs, Architecture, Stories, and more
7. **Configuration** - Customizing BMad for your needs
8. **Best Practices** - Tips for effective BMad usage
```

**Topic #4: Agents** is exactly what we need!

---

## BMad Knowledge Base Content

From `bmad-kb.md` (32k file):

### Covers:

- ✅ Overview of BMAD-METHOD
- ✅ How BMad Works (Core Method)
- ✅ The Two-Phase Approach (Planning vs Development)
- ✅ Development Loop
- ✅ Getting Started (Web UI & IDE)
- ✅ Agent descriptions and roles
- ✅ Workflow guidance
- ✅ Best practices

### Key Sections for BMVCS Integration:

**From bmad-kb.md:**

```markdown
## How BMad Works

### The Core Method

BMad transforms you into a "Vibe CEO" - directing a team of specialized AI agents through structured workflows. Here's how:

1. **You Direct, AI Executes**: You provide vision and decisions; agents handle implementation details
2. **Specialized Agents**: Each agent masters one role (PM, Developer, Architect, etc.)
3. **Structured Workflows**: Proven patterns guide you from idea to deployed code
4. **Clean Handoffs**: Fresh context windows ensure agents stay focused and effective
```

---

## Integration with Orchestrator

From `.bmad-core/agents/bmad-orchestrator.md`:

```yaml
commands:
  kb-mode: Load full BMad knowledge base

kb-mode-behavior:
  - When *kb-mode is invoked, use kb-mode-interaction task
  - Don't dump all KB content immediately
  - Present topic areas and wait for user selection
  - Provide focused, contextual responses
```

**Flow:**

1. User types `*kb-mode`
2. Orchestrator loads `kb-mode-interaction.md` (instructions)
3. Orchestrator loads `bmad-kb.md` (knowledge base)
4. Presents topic menu
5. Answers questions from KB

---

## Comparison: v4 vs v6

**v4 Name:** KB Mode (Knowledge Base Mode)
**v6 Status:** ✅ **STILL EXISTS** - Same name, same concept!

**Evolution:**

- Core concept preserved
- Now integrated with Orchestrator agent
- More structured topic areas
- Better separation (task + data)

**Not removed, but enhanced!**

---

## BMVCS Integration Opportunity

### Current State

**KB Mode has "Agents" topic (#4)** but:

- ❌ No VCS workflow awareness
- ❌ No mention of VCS Adapter
- ❌ No BMVCS-specific guidance

### What We Need to Add

**Update `bmad-kb.md` section on Agents:**

Add BMVCS-aware guidance:

```markdown
## Agents

### VCS-Aware Agents (with BMVCS)

If you have BMVCS installed, these agents adapt to your VCS workflow:

**Architect Agent** - Creates architecture documentation

- GitHub Flow: Lightweight docs focusing on PRs
- GitFlow: Version-oriented with release cycles
- Trunk-Based: Flag-gated incremental docs

**PM Agent** - Creates PRDs and requirements

- GitHub Flow: Feature-scoped PRDs, 1-3 day stories
- GitFlow: Release-scoped PRDs, 3-5 day stories
- Trunk-Based: Flag-gated increments, <1 day stories

**Dev Agent** - Implements features

- GitHub Flow: Atomic commits with conventional style
- GitFlow: Descriptive commits with branch prefixes
- Trunk-Based: Feature-flag wrapped changes

To use VCS-aware agents:

1. Run `*discover` to detect your workflow
2. Agents automatically adapt to your VCS config
3. Templates adjust based on workflow type
```

### New KB Mode Topic

Could add 9th topic:

```markdown
9. **VCS Integration** - How BMVCS adapts to your workflow
```

Or expand existing topic #2:

```markdown
2. **Workflows & VCS** - Choosing the right workflow and VCS integration
```

---

## Implications for Phase 3

### Phase 3.1: User Documentation

**GOOD NEWS:**

- ✅ Don't need to create "agent discovery" mechanism - it exists!
- ✅ KB Mode is the official way to learn about agents
- ✅ Just need to UPDATE kb mode with BMVCS info

**What to Document:**

1. **Update bmad-kb.md** (expand existing content)
   - Add BMVCS section
   - Add VCS-aware agent explanations
   - Add workflow-specific adaptations

2. **Create BMM_INTEGRATION_GUIDE.md** (new file)
   - How to use VCS Adapter
   - How BMM agents integrate
   - Examples per workflow
   - Troubleshooting

3. **Update kb-mode-interaction.md** (optional)
   - Add BMVCS/VCS topic area
   - Or expand Workflows topic

### Phase 3.2: Developer Documentation

**Explain:**

- How BMVCS extends KB Mode
- How agents check VCS config
- Template adaptation mechanism

---

## Answers to Research Questions

### Q: Does BMAD v6 have interactive guide mechanism?

**A:** ✅ YES - KB Mode (`*kb-mode`)

### Q: Was it in v4?

**A:** ✅ YES - Same name, evolved in v6

### Q: How does it work?

**A:**

- Command-triggered (`*kb-mode`)
- Topic-based navigation
- Interactive Q&A
- References full KB (`bmad-kb.md`)

### Q: Do we need to create new mechanism?

**A:** ❌ NO - Extend existing KB Mode!

### Q: Where does BMVCS fit?

**A:**

- Enhance KB content with VCS awareness
- Add to "Agents" topic
- Optional: new "VCS Integration" topic
- Update workflow guidance

---

## Path Fix Dependency Re-Assessment

### Original Question:

"Do we need path fix before Phase 3?"

### NEW ANSWER (after finding KB Mode):

**Phase 3.1 can START NOW!**

**Why:**

- Phase 3.1 is about PLANNING documentation
- KB Mode research is documentation research
- Can design BMVCS KB additions without working integration
- Path fix enables TESTING examples, not designing them

**Revised Approach:**

**Session 3: Phase 3.1 Planning** (NOW - no path fix needed)

1. ✅ Research KB Mode (DONE!)
2. Design BMVCS additions to bmad-kb.md
3. Plan BMM_INTEGRATION_GUIDE structure
4. Design examples (document what they SHOULD do)
5. Create Phase 3 implementation plan

**Session 4: Path Fix** (before implementation)

- Fix 3 agent files
- Now examples will work

**Session 5+: Phase 3.1 Implementation**

- Write BMVCS KB additions
- Create integration guide
- Test with working examples

**Conclusion:** Path fix can wait! Planning first! ✅

---

## Recommended Next Steps

### Immediate (Session 3 - Current)

1. **Design BMVCS KB Content**
   - What to add to bmad-kb.md "Agents" section
   - How to explain VCS-aware adaptations
   - Which examples to include

2. **Plan BMM Integration Guide**
   - Structure and sections
   - Prerequisites
   - Step-by-step workflows
   - Troubleshooting

3. **Update Phase 3 Plan**
   - Based on KB Mode discovery
   - Revise deliverables
   - Adjust timeline

### Next Session (Session 4)

4. **Execute Path Fix**
   - Fix 3 agent files in BMAD-METHOD
   - Test integration
   - Remove workarounds

### Following Sessions (5+)

5. **Implement Phase 3.1**
   - Update bmad-kb.md
   - Create BMM_INTEGRATION_GUIDE.md
   - Test all examples
   - Verify KB Mode works with BMVCS

---

## Key Findings Summary

✅ **KB Mode exists** - interactive agent discovery mechanism
✅ **Same as v4** - evolved but core concept preserved
✅ **Well-structured** - task instructions + knowledge base data
✅ **Extensible** - easy to add BMVCS content
✅ **Official pattern** - use KB Mode, don't reinvent

❌ **Currently missing** - BMVCS/VCS awareness in KB
❌ **Path issue blocks** - testing examples, not planning

📋 **Plan update** - Phase 3.1 can start NOW (planning)
🔧 **Path fix** - needed before implementation, not planning

---

## Files for Reference

**In BMAD-METHOD (both main and feat/bmvcs-dev):**

```
.bmad-core/
├── tasks/
│   └── kb-mode-interaction.md      # How to run KB mode
├── data/
│   └── bmad-kb.md                  # Knowledge base content (32k)
└── agents/
    └── bmad-orchestrator.md        # Integrates *kb-mode command
```

**Created in Research:**

```
/tmp/
├── PHASE_3_RESEARCH_PLAN.md         # Original research plan
└── KB_MODE_RESEARCH_FINDINGS.md     # This file
```

---

## Conclusion

**User's intuition was spot-on!** 🎯

BMAD v4's interactive guide mechanism (KB Mode) not only exists in v6, but is well-maintained and ready to extend with BMVCS content.

**Phase 3 Strategy:**

1. Don't create new mechanism
2. Enhance existing KB Mode
3. Add BMVCS awareness to bmad-kb.md
4. Create complementary BMM_INTEGRATION_GUIDE.md
5. Leverage official pattern

**"Fail to plan - plan to fail"** - This research validates the plan before execution! ✅

---

**Research Complete:** 2025-10-01 18:25:00 EEST
**Time Spent:** ~15 minutes
**Value:** Prevented redundant work, found official pattern
**Next:** Design BMVCS KB additions (Session 3 continues)
