diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/instructions.md b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/instructions.md
index 9c62ea14..9d132264 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/instructions.md
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/instructions.md
@@ -3,12 +3,9 @@
 ```xml
 <critical>The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project_root}/bmad/core/tasks/workflow.xml</critical>
 <critical>You MUST have already loaded and processed: {installed_path}/workflow.yaml</critical>
-<critical>Communicate all responses in {communication_language} and language MUST be tailored to {user_skill_level}</critical>
 <critical>Generate all documents in {document_output_language}</critical>
 <critical>This workflow creates or updates the next user story from epics/PRD and architecture context, saving to the configured stories directory and optionally invoking Story Context.</critical>
-<critical>Default execution mode: #yolo (minimal prompts). Only elicit if absolutely required and {{non_interactive}} == false.</critical>
-
-<critical>DOCUMENT OUTPUT: Concise, technical, actionable story specifications. Use tables/lists for acceptance criteria and tasks. User skill level ({user_skill_level}) affects conversation style ONLY, not document content.</critical>
+<critical>DOCUMENT OUTPUT: Concise, technical, actionable story specifications. Use tables/lists for acceptance criteria and tasks.</critical>
 
 <workflow>
 
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-0.yaml b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-0.yaml
index af9f6f6b..6c9458a7 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-0.yaml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-0.yaml
@@ -44,6 +44,12 @@ phases:
   - phase: 4
     name: "Implementation"
     required: true
+    phase_initialization:
+      - id: "sprint-planning"
+        required: true
+        agent: "sm"
+        command: "sprint-planning"
+        note: "Initialize sprint tracking - run once when entering Phase 4"
     workflows:
       - id: "create-story"
         required: true
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-1.yaml b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-1.yaml
index 57e6af0c..65b3c121 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-1.yaml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-1.yaml
@@ -48,6 +48,13 @@ phases:
   - phase: 4
     name: "Implementation"
     required: true
+    phase_initialization:
+      - id: "sprint-planning"
+        required: true
+        agent: "sm"
+        command: "sprint-planning"
+        note: "Initialize sprint tracking - run once when entering Phase 4"
+    story_loop: "for_each_story"
     workflows:
       - id: "create-story"
         required: true
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-2.yaml b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-2.yaml
index 7ff61fa7..dd7cd94d 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-2.yaml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-2.yaml
@@ -62,6 +62,13 @@ phases:
   - phase: 4
     name: "Implementation"
     required: true
+    phase_initialization:
+      - id: "sprint-planning"
+        required: true
+        agent: "sm"
+        command: "sprint-planning"
+        note: "Initialize sprint tracking - run once when entering Phase 4"
+    story_loop: "for_each_story"
     workflows:
       - id: "create-story"
         required: true
@@ -81,7 +88,7 @@ phases:
         agent: "dev"
         command: "dev-story"
       - id: "review-story"
-        recommended: true
+        optional: true
         agent: "dev"
         command: "review-story"
       - id: "story-done"
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-3.yaml b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-3.yaml
index 9099f8a6..404ade4b 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-3.yaml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-3.yaml
@@ -77,59 +77,64 @@ phases:
   - phase: 4
     name: "Implementation"
     required: true
+    phase_initialization:
+      - id: "sprint-planning"
+        required: true
+        agent: "sm"
+        command: "sprint-planning"
+        note: "Initialize sprint tracking - run once when entering Phase 4"
     epic_loop: "for_each_epic"
-    epic_workflows:
-      - id: "tech-spec"
-        required: true
-        agent: "architect"
-        command: "tech-spec"
-        note: "Must respect existing patterns"
-    story_loop: "for_each_story_in_epic"
-    story_workflows:
-      - id: "create-story"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "create-story"
-      - id: "story-context"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "story-context"
-        note: "Heavy emphasis on existing code context"
-      - id: "validate-story-context"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "validate-story-context"
-        note: "Ensure no breaking changes"
-      - id: "story-ready"
-        recommended: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "story-ready"
-      - id: "dev-story"
-        required: true
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "dev-story"
-      - id: "review-story"
-        required: true
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "review-story"
-        note: "Check integration points"
-      - id: "correct-course"
-        conditional: "if_review_fails"
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "correct-course"
-      - id: "story-done"
-        required: true
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "story-done"
-    epic_completion:
-      - id: "integration-test"
-        required: true
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "integration-test"
-      - id: "retrospective"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "retrospective"
+    epic_iteration:
+      setup_workflows:
+        - id: "tech-spec"
+          required: true
+          agent: "architect"
+          command: "tech-spec"
+          note: "Must respect existing patterns"
+
+      story_loop: "for_each_story_in_epic"
+      story_workflows:
+        - id: "create-story"
+          required: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "create-story"
+        - id: "story-context"
+          required: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "story-context"
+          note: "Heavy emphasis on existing code context"
+        - id: "validate-story-context"
+          optional: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "validate-story-context"
+          note: "Ensure no breaking changes"
+        - id: "story-ready"
+          optional: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "story-ready"
+        - id: "dev-story"
+          required: true
+          agent: "dev"
+          command: "dev-story"
+        - id: "review-story"
+          optional: true
+          agent: "dev"
+          command: "review-story"
+          note: "Check integration points"
+        - id: "story-done"
+          required: true
+          agent: "dev"
+          command: "story-done"
+
+      completion_workflows:
+        - id: "integration-test"
+          required: true
+          agent: "dev"
+          command: "integration-test"
+        - id: "retrospective"
+          required: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "retrospective"
 
 story_naming: "story-<epic>.<story>.md"
 brownfield_note: "All changes must integrate seamlessly with existing system"
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-4.yaml b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-4.yaml
index 3582dcc6..9be80416 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-4.yaml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/brownfield-level-4.yaml
@@ -71,60 +71,65 @@ phases:
   - phase: 4
     name: "Implementation"
     required: true
+    phase_initialization:
+      - id: "sprint-planning"
+        required: true
+        agent: "sm"
+        command: "sprint-planning"
+        note: "Initialize sprint tracking - run once when entering Phase 4"
     epic_loop: "for_each_epic"
-    epic_workflows:
-      - id: "tech-spec"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "tech-spec"
-        note: "JIT per epic - creates stories considering existing code"
-    story_loop: "for_each_story_in_epic"
-    story_workflows:
-      - id: "create-story"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "create-story"
-      - id: "story-context"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "story-context"
-        note: "Extensive existing code context required"
-      - id: "validate-story-context"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "validate-story-context"
-      - id: "story-ready"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "story-ready"
-      - id: "dev-story"
-        required: true
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "dev-story"
-      - id: "review-story"
-        required: true
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "review-story"
-        note: "Rigorous review for enterprise changes"
-      - id: "correct-course"
-        conditional: "if_review_fails"
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "correct-course"
-      - id: "integration-test"
-        required: true
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "integration-test"
-        note: "Test integration with existing systems"
-      - id: "story-done"
-        required: true
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "story-done"
-    epic_completion:
-      - id: "retrospective"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "retrospective"
-        note: "Critical for enterprise-scale learning"
+    epic_iteration:
+      setup_workflows:
+        - id: "tech-spec"
+          required: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "tech-spec"
+          note: "JIT per epic - creates stories considering existing code"
+
+      story_loop: "for_each_story_in_epic"
+      story_workflows:
+        - id: "create-story"
+          required: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "create-story"
+        - id: "story-context"
+          required: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "story-context"
+          note: "Extensive existing code context required"
+        - id: "validate-story-context"
+          optional: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "validate-story-context"
+        - id: "story-ready"
+          optional: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "story-ready"
+        - id: "dev-story"
+          required: true
+          agent: "dev"
+          command: "dev-story"
+        - id: "review-story"
+          optional: true
+          agent: "dev"
+          command: "review-story"
+          note: "Rigorous review for enterprise changes"
+        - id: "integration-test"
+          optional: true
+          agent: "dev"
+          command: "integration-test"
+          note: "Test integration with existing systems"
+        - id: "story-done"
+          required: true
+          agent: "dev"
+          command: "story-done"
+
+      completion_workflows:
+        - id: "retrospective"
+          required: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "retrospective"
+          note: "Critical for enterprise-scale learning"
 
 story_naming: "story-<epic>.<story>.md"
 story_example: "story-1.1.md, story-2.3.md"
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/game-design.yaml b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/game-design.yaml
index 3cd20de7..381a64d2 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/game-design.yaml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/game-design.yaml
@@ -58,6 +58,12 @@ phases:
   - phase: 4
     name: "Implementation"
     required: true
+    phase_initialization:
+      - id: "sprint-planning"
+        required: true
+        agent: "sm"
+        command: "sprint-planning"
+        note: "Initialize sprint tracking - run once when entering Phase 4"
     note: "Implementation varies by game complexity"
     level_based_implementation:
       level_0_1:
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-0.yaml b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-0.yaml
index ee1e85ad..27ce26fb 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-0.yaml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-0.yaml
@@ -37,6 +37,12 @@ phases:
   - phase: 4
     name: "Implementation"
     required: true
+    phase_initialization:
+      - id: "sprint-planning"
+        required: true
+        agent: "sm"
+        command: "sprint-planning"
+        note: "Initialize sprint tracking - run once when entering Phase 4"
     workflows:
       - id: "create-story"
         required: true
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-1.yaml b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-1.yaml
index 9df47df9..6bc60819 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-1.yaml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-1.yaml
@@ -41,7 +41,13 @@ phases:
   - phase: 4
     name: "Implementation"
     required: true
-    loop_type: "for_each_story"
+    phase_initialization:
+      - id: "sprint-planning"
+        required: true
+        agent: "sm"
+        command: "sprint-planning"
+        note: "Initialize sprint tracking - run once when entering Phase 4"
+    story_loop: "for_each_story"
     workflows:
       - id: "create-story"
         required: true
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-2.yaml b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-2.yaml
index b79578bb..0b16cf88 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-2.yaml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-2.yaml
@@ -62,7 +62,13 @@ phases:
   - phase: 4
     name: "Implementation"
     required: true
-    loop_type: "for_each_story"
+    phase_initialization:
+      - id: "sprint-planning"
+        required: true
+        agent: "sm"
+        command: "sprint-planning"
+        note: "Initialize sprint tracking - run once when entering Phase 4"
+    story_loop: "for_each_story"
     workflows:
       - id: "create-story"
         required: true
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-3.yaml b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-3.yaml
index ebb8af48..4750384c 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-3.yaml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-3.yaml
@@ -57,52 +57,57 @@ phases:
   - phase: 4
     name: "Implementation"
     required: true
+    phase_initialization:
+      - id: "sprint-planning"
+        required: true
+        agent: "sm"
+        command: "sprint-planning"
+        note: "Initialize sprint tracking - run once when entering Phase 4"
     epic_loop: "for_each_epic"
-    epic_workflows:
-      - id: "tech-spec"
-        required: true
-        agent: "architect"
-        command: "tech-spec"
-        note: "JIT per epic - creates stories for that epic"
-    story_loop: "for_each_story_in_epic"
-    story_workflows:
-      - id: "create-story"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "create-story"
-      - id: "story-context"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "story-context"
-      - id: "validate-story-context"
-        recommended: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "validate-story-context"
-      - id: "story-ready"
-        optional: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "story-ready"
-      - id: "dev-story"
-        required: true
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "dev-story"
-      - id: "review-story"
-        recommended: true
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "review-story"
-      - id: "correct-course"
-        conditional: "if_review_fails"
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "correct-course"
-      - id: "story-done"
-        required: true
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "story-done"
-    epic_completion:
-      - id: "retrospective"
-        recommended: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "retrospective"
+    epic_iteration:
+      setup_workflows:
+        - id: "tech-spec"
+          required: true
+          agent: "architect"
+          command: "tech-spec"
+          note: "JIT per epic - creates stories for that epic"
+
+      story_loop: "for_each_story_in_epic"
+      story_workflows:
+        - id: "create-story"
+          required: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "create-story"
+        - id: "story-context"
+          required: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "story-context"
+        - id: "validate-story-context"
+          optional: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "validate-story-context"
+        - id: "story-ready"
+          optional: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "story-ready"
+        - id: "dev-story"
+          required: true
+          agent: "dev"
+          command: "dev-story"
+        - id: "review-story"
+          optional: true
+          agent: "dev"
+          command: "review-story"
+        - id: "story-done"
+          required: true
+          agent: "dev"
+          command: "story-done"
+
+      completion_workflows:
+        - id: "retrospective"
+          recommended: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "retrospective"
 
 story_naming: "story-<epic>.<story>.md"
 story_example: "story-1.1.md, story-2.3.md"
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-4.yaml b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-4.yaml
index 67b37015..01fe7a81 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-4.yaml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/workflow-status/paths/greenfield-level-4.yaml
@@ -59,53 +59,58 @@ phases:
   - phase: 4
     name: "Implementation"
     required: true
+    phase_initialization:
+      - id: "sprint-planning"
+        required: true
+        agent: "sm"
+        command: "sprint-planning"
+        note: "Initialize sprint tracking - run once when entering Phase 4"
     epic_loop: "for_each_epic"
-    epic_workflows:
-      - id: "tech-spec"
-        required: true
-        agent: "architect"
-        command: "tech-spec"
-        note: "JIT per epic - creates stories for that epic"
-    story_loop: "for_each_story_in_epic"
-    story_workflows:
-      - id: "create-story"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "create-story"
-      - id: "story-context"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "story-context"
-      - id: "validate-story-context"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "validate-story-context"
-      - id: "story-ready"
-        recommended: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "story-ready"
-      - id: "dev-story"
-        required: true
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "dev-story"
-      - id: "review-story"
-        required: true
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "review-story"
-      - id: "correct-course"
-        conditional: "if_review_fails"
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "correct-course"
-      - id: "story-done"
-        required: true
-        agent: "dev"
-        command: "story-done"
-    epic_completion:
-      - id: "retrospective"
-        required: true
-        agent: "sm"
-        command: "retrospective"
-        note: "Critical for enterprise-scale learning"
+    epic_iteration:
+      setup_workflows:
+        - id: "tech-spec"
+          required: true
+          agent: "architect"
+          command: "tech-spec"
+          note: "JIT per epic - creates stories for that epic"
+
+      story_loop: "for_each_story_in_epic"
+      story_workflows:
+        - id: "create-story"
+          required: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "create-story"
+        - id: "story-context"
+          required: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "story-context"
+        - id: "validate-story-context"
+          optional: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "validate-story-context"
+        - id: "story-ready"
+          optional: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "story-ready"
+        - id: "dev-story"
+          required: true
+          agent: "dev"
+          command: "dev-story"
+        - id: "review-story"
+          optional: true
+          agent: "dev"
+          command: "review-story"
+        - id: "story-done"
+          required: true
+          agent: "dev"
+          command: "story-done"
+
+      completion_workflows:
+        - id: "retrospective"
+          required: true
+          agent: "sm"
+          command: "retrospective"
+          note: "Critical for enterprise-scale learning"
 
 story_naming: "story-<epic>.<story>.md"
 story_example: "story-1.1.md, story-2.3.md"