fix: agent-manifest.csv empty after install — type mismatch + scan path bug (#2115)

Two bugs combined to produce an empty agent-manifest.csv:

1. collectAgents() only scanned {module}/agents/ directories, but agents
   live at various paths (bmm/1-analysis/bmad-agent-analyst/,
   cis/skills/bmad-cis-agent-*, etc.). Now walks the full module tree.

2. All 9 BMM agent manifests declared type: skill instead of type: agent.
   The manifest generator requires type: agent to include a directory in
   agent-manifest.csv. CIS, GDS, TEA, and WDS already had the correct type.

Changes:
- Fix 9 BMM bmad-skill-manifest.yaml files: type: skill → type: agent
- Replace collectAgents/getAgentsFromDir with full-tree recursive scan
- Module field from manifest file always takes precedence over directory
- Remove dead skillManifest load (legacy .md agent support removed)
- Add TODO in bmad-artifacts.js documenting legacy agent pipeline as dead code
- Add 10 regression tests covering BMM, CIS, and GDS directory layouts

src/bmm-skills/1-analysis/bmad-agent-analyst/bmad-skill-manifest.yaml

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-type: skill
+type: agent
 name: bmad-agent-analyst
 displayName: Mary
 title: Business Analyst

src/bmm-skills/1-analysis/bmad-agent-tech-writer/bmad-skill-manifest.yaml

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-type: skill
+type: agent
 name: bmad-agent-tech-writer
 displayName: Paige
 title: Technical Writer

src/bmm-skills/2-plan-workflows/bmad-agent-pm/bmad-skill-manifest.yaml

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-type: skill
+type: agent
 name: bmad-agent-pm
 displayName: John
 title: Product Manager

src/bmm-skills/2-plan-workflows/bmad-agent-ux-designer/bmad-skill-manifest.yaml

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-type: skill
+type: agent
 name: bmad-agent-ux-designer
 displayName: Sally
 title: UX Designer

src/bmm-skills/3-solutioning/bmad-agent-architect/bmad-skill-manifest.yaml

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-type: skill
+type: agent
 name: bmad-agent-architect
 displayName: Winston
 title: Architect

src/bmm-skills/4-implementation/bmad-agent-dev/bmad-skill-manifest.yaml

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-type: skill
+type: agent
 name: bmad-agent-dev
 displayName: Amelia
 title: Developer Agent

src/bmm-skills/4-implementation/bmad-agent-qa/bmad-skill-manifest.yaml

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-type: skill
+type: agent
 name: bmad-agent-qa
 displayName: Quinn
 title: QA Engineer

src/bmm-skills/4-implementation/bmad-agent-quick-flow-solo-dev/bmad-skill-manifest.yaml

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-type: skill
+type: agent
 name: bmad-agent-quick-flow-solo-dev
 displayName: Barry
 title: Quick Flow Solo Dev

src/bmm-skills/4-implementation/bmad-agent-sm/bmad-skill-manifest.yaml

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-type: skill
+type: agent
 name: bmad-agent-sm
 displayName: Bob
 title: Scrum Master

test/test-installation-components.js

@@ -1648,6 +1648,93 @@ async function runTests() {
     // skill-manifest.csv should include the native agent entrypoint
     const skillManifestCsv29 = await fs.readFile(path.join(tempFixture29, '_config', 'skill-manifest.csv'), 'utf8');
     assert(skillManifestCsv29.includes('bmad-tea'), 'skill-manifest.csv includes native type:agent SKILL.md entrypoint');
+
+    // --- Agents at non-agents/ paths (regression test for BMM/CIS layouts) ---
+    // Create a second fixture with agents at paths like bmm/1-analysis/bmad-agent-analyst/
+    const tempFixture29b = await fs.mkdtemp(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'bmad-agent-paths-'));
+    await fs.ensureDir(path.join(tempFixture29b, '_config'));
+
+    // Agent at bmm-style path: bmm/1-analysis/bmad-agent-analyst/
+    const bmmAgentDir = path.join(tempFixture29b, 'bmm', '1-analysis', 'bmad-agent-analyst');
+    await fs.ensureDir(bmmAgentDir);
+    await fs.writeFile(
+      path.join(bmmAgentDir, 'bmad-skill-manifest.yaml'),
+      [
+        'type: agent',
+        'name: bmad-agent-analyst',
+        'displayName: Mary',
+        'title: Business Analyst',
+        'role: Strategic Business Analyst',
+        'module: bmm',
+      ].join('\n') + '\n',
+    );
+    await fs.writeFile(
+      path.join(bmmAgentDir, 'SKILL.md'),
+      '---\nname: bmad-agent-analyst\ndescription: Business Analyst agent\n---\n\nAnalyst agent.\n',
+    );
+
+    // Agent at cis-style path: cis/skills/bmad-cis-agent-brainstorming-coach/
+    const cisAgentDir = path.join(tempFixture29b, 'cis', 'skills', 'bmad-cis-agent-brainstorming-coach');
+    await fs.ensureDir(cisAgentDir);
+    await fs.writeFile(
+      path.join(cisAgentDir, 'bmad-skill-manifest.yaml'),
+      [
+        'type: agent',
+        'name: bmad-cis-agent-brainstorming-coach',
+        'displayName: Carson',
+        'title: Brainstorming Specialist',
+        'role: Master Facilitator',
+        'module: cis',
+      ].join('\n') + '\n',
+    );
+    await fs.writeFile(
+      path.join(cisAgentDir, 'SKILL.md'),
+      '---\nname: bmad-cis-agent-brainstorming-coach\ndescription: Brainstorming coach\n---\n\nCoach.\n',
+    );
+
+    // Agent at standard agents/ path (GDS-style): gds/agents/gds-agent-game-dev/
+    const gdsAgentDir = path.join(tempFixture29b, 'gds', 'agents', 'gds-agent-game-dev');
+    await fs.ensureDir(gdsAgentDir);
+    await fs.writeFile(
+      path.join(gdsAgentDir, 'bmad-skill-manifest.yaml'),
+      [
+        'type: agent',
+        'name: gds-agent-game-dev',
+        'displayName: Link',
+        'title: Game Developer',
+        'role: Senior Game Dev',
+        'module: gds',
+      ].join('\n') + '\n',
+    );
+    await fs.writeFile(
+      path.join(gdsAgentDir, 'SKILL.md'),
+      '---\nname: gds-agent-game-dev\ndescription: Game developer agent\n---\n\nGame dev.\n',
+    );
+
+    const generator29b = new ManifestGenerator();
+    await generator29b.generateManifests(tempFixture29b, ['bmm', 'cis', 'gds'], [], { ides: [] });
+
+    // All three agents should appear in agents[] regardless of directory layout
+    const bmmAgent = generator29b.agents.find((a) => a.name === 'bmad-agent-analyst');
+    assert(bmmAgent !== undefined, 'Agent at bmm/1-analysis/ path appears in agents[]');
+    assert(bmmAgent && bmmAgent.module === 'bmm', 'BMM agent module field comes from manifest file');
+    assert(bmmAgent && bmmAgent.path.includes('bmm/1-analysis/bmad-agent-analyst'), 'BMM agent path reflects actual directory layout');
+
+    const cisAgent = generator29b.agents.find((a) => a.name === 'bmad-cis-agent-brainstorming-coach');
+    assert(cisAgent !== undefined, 'Agent at cis/skills/ path appears in agents[]');
+    assert(cisAgent && cisAgent.module === 'cis', 'CIS agent module field comes from manifest file');
+
+    const gdsAgent = generator29b.agents.find((a) => a.name === 'gds-agent-game-dev');
+    assert(gdsAgent !== undefined, 'Agent at gds/agents/ path appears in agents[]');
+    assert(gdsAgent && gdsAgent.module === 'gds', 'GDS agent module field comes from manifest file');
+
+    // agent-manifest.csv should contain all three
+    const agentCsv29b = await fs.readFile(path.join(tempFixture29b, '_config', 'agent-manifest.csv'), 'utf8');
+    assert(agentCsv29b.includes('bmad-agent-analyst'), 'agent-manifest.csv includes BMM-layout agent');
+    assert(agentCsv29b.includes('bmad-cis-agent-brainstorming-coach'), 'agent-manifest.csv includes CIS-layout agent');
+    assert(agentCsv29b.includes('gds-agent-game-dev'), 'agent-manifest.csv includes GDS-layout agent');
+
+    await fs.remove(tempFixture29b).catch(() => {});
   } catch (error) {
     assert(false, 'Unified skill scanner test succeeds', error.message);
   } finally {

tools/cli/installers/lib/core/manifest-generator.js

@@ -268,64 +268,66 @@ class ManifestGenerator {
   }
 
   /**
-   * Collect all agents from core and selected modules
+   * Collect all agents from selected modules by walking their directory trees.
-   * Scans the INSTALLED bmad directory, not the source
    */
   async collectAgents(selectedModules) {
     this.agents = [];
+    const debug = process.env.BMAD_DEBUG_MANIFEST === 'true';
 
-    // Use updatedModules which already includes deduplicated 'core' + selectedModules
+    // Walk each module's full directory tree looking for type:agent manifests
     for (const moduleName of this.updatedModules) {
-      const agentsPath = path.join(this.bmadDir, moduleName, 'agents');
+      const modulePath = path.join(this.bmadDir, moduleName);
+      if (!(await fs.pathExists(modulePath))) continue;
 
-      if (await fs.pathExists(agentsPath)) {
+      const moduleAgents = await this.getAgentsFromDirRecursive(modulePath, moduleName, '', debug);
-        const moduleAgents = await this.getAgentsFromDir(agentsPath, moduleName);
       this.agents.push(...moduleAgents);
     }
-    }
 
     // Get standalone agents from bmad/agents/ directory
     const standaloneAgentsDir = path.join(this.bmadDir, 'agents');
     if (await fs.pathExists(standaloneAgentsDir)) {
-      const agentDirs = await fs.readdir(standaloneAgentsDir, { withFileTypes: true });
+      const standaloneAgents = await this.getAgentsFromDirRecursive(standaloneAgentsDir, 'standalone', '', debug);
-
-      for (const agentDir of agentDirs) {
-        if (!agentDir.isDirectory()) continue;
-
-        const agentDirPath = path.join(standaloneAgentsDir, agentDir.name);
-        const standaloneAgents = await this.getAgentsFromDir(agentDirPath, 'standalone');
       this.agents.push(...standaloneAgents);
     }
+
+    if (debug) {
+      console.log(`[DEBUG] collectAgents: total agents found: ${this.agents.length}`);
     }
   }
 
   /**
-   * Get agents from a directory recursively
+   * Recursively walk a directory tree collecting agents.
-   * Only includes .md files with agent content
+   * Discovers agents via directory with bmad-skill-manifest.yaml containing type: agent
+   *
+   * @param {string} dirPath - Current directory being scanned
+   * @param {string} moduleName - Module this directory belongs to
+   * @param {string} relativePath - Path relative to the module root (for install path construction)
+   * @param {boolean} debug - Emit debug messages
    */
-  async getAgentsFromDir(dirPath, moduleName, relativePath = '') {
+  async getAgentsFromDirRecursive(dirPath, moduleName, relativePath = '', debug = false) {
-    // Skip directories claimed by collectSkills
-    if (this.skillClaimedDirs && this.skillClaimedDirs.has(dirPath)) return [];
     const agents = [];
-    const entries = await fs.readdir(dirPath, { withFileTypes: true });
+    let entries;
-    // Load skill manifest for this directory (if present)
+    try {
-    const skillManifest = await this.loadSkillManifest(dirPath);
+      entries = await fs.readdir(dirPath, { withFileTypes: true });
+    } catch {
+      return agents;
+    }
 
     for (const entry of entries) {
+      if (!entry.isDirectory()) continue;
+      if (entry.name.startsWith('.') || entry.name.startsWith('_')) continue;
+
       const fullPath = path.join(dirPath, entry.name);
 
-      if (entry.isDirectory()) {
+      // Check for type:agent manifest BEFORE checking skillClaimedDirs —
-        // Check for new-format agent: bmad-skill-manifest.yaml with type: agent
+      // agent dirs may be claimed by collectSkills for IDE installation,
-        // Note: type:agent dirs may also be claimed by collectSkills for IDE installation,
+      // but we still need them in agent-manifest.csv.
-        // but we still need to process them here for agent-manifest.csv
       const dirManifest = await this.loadSkillManifest(fullPath);
       if (dirManifest && dirManifest.__single && dirManifest.__single.type === 'agent') {
         const m = dirManifest.__single;
         const dirRelativePath = relativePath ? `${relativePath}/${entry.name}` : entry.name;
-          const installPath =
+        const agentModule = m.module || moduleName;
-            moduleName === 'core'
+        const installPath = `${this.bmadFolderName}/${agentModule}/${dirRelativePath}`;
-              ? `${this.bmadFolderName}/core/agents/${dirRelativePath}`
-              : `${this.bmadFolderName}/${moduleName}/agents/${dirRelativePath}`;
 
         agents.push({
           name: m.name || entry.name,
@@ -337,7 +339,7 @@ class ManifestGenerator {
           identity: m.identity ? this.cleanForCSV(m.identity) : '',
           communicationStyle: m.communicationStyle ? this.cleanForCSV(m.communicationStyle) : '',
           principles: m.principles ? this.cleanForCSV(m.principles) : '',
-            module: m.module || moduleName,
+          module: agentModule,
           path: installPath,
           canonicalId: m.canonicalId || '',
         });
@@ -345,76 +347,24 @@ class ManifestGenerator {
         this.files.push({
           type: 'agent',
           name: m.name || entry.name,
-            module: moduleName,
+          module: agentModule,
           path: installPath,
         });
+
+        if (debug) {
+          console.log(`[DEBUG] collectAgents: found type:agent "${m.name || entry.name}" at ${fullPath}`);
+        }
         continue;
       }
 
-        // Skip directories claimed by collectSkills (non-agent type skills)
+      // Skip directories claimed by collectSkills (non-agent type skills) —
+      // avoids recursing into skill trees that can't contain agents.
       if (this.skillClaimedDirs && this.skillClaimedDirs.has(fullPath)) continue;
 
       // Recurse into subdirectories
       const newRelativePath = relativePath ? `${relativePath}/${entry.name}` : entry.name;
-        const subDirAgents = await this.getAgentsFromDir(fullPath, moduleName, newRelativePath);
+      const subDirAgents = await this.getAgentsFromDirRecursive(fullPath, moduleName, newRelativePath, debug);
       agents.push(...subDirAgents);
-      } else if (entry.name.endsWith('.md') && entry.name.toLowerCase() !== 'readme.md') {
-        const content = await fs.readFile(fullPath, 'utf8');
-
-        // Skip files that don't contain <agent> tag (e.g., README files)
-        if (!content.includes('<agent')) {
-          continue;
-        }
-
-        // Skip web-only agents
-        if (content.includes('localskip="true"')) {
-          continue;
-        }
-
-        // Extract agent metadata from the XML structure
-        const nameMatch = content.match(/name="([^"]+)"/);
-        const titleMatch = content.match(/title="([^"]+)"/);
-        const iconMatch = content.match(/icon="([^"]+)"/);
-        const capabilitiesMatch = content.match(/capabilities="([^"]+)"/);
-
-        // Extract persona fields
-        const roleMatch = content.match(/<role>([^<]+)<\/role>/);
-        const identityMatch = content.match(/<identity>([\s\S]*?)<\/identity>/);
-        const styleMatch = content.match(/<communication_style>([\s\S]*?)<\/communication_style>/);
-        const principlesMatch = content.match(/<principles>([\s\S]*?)<\/principles>/);
-
-        // Build relative path for installation
-        const fileRelativePath = relativePath ? `${relativePath}/${entry.name}` : entry.name;
-        const installPath =
-          moduleName === 'core'
-            ? `${this.bmadFolderName}/core/agents/${fileRelativePath}`
-            : `${this.bmadFolderName}/${moduleName}/agents/${fileRelativePath}`;
-
-        const agentName = entry.name.replace('.md', '');
-
-        agents.push({
-          name: agentName,
-          displayName: nameMatch ? nameMatch[1] : agentName,
-          title: titleMatch ? titleMatch[1] : '',
-          icon: iconMatch ? iconMatch[1] : '',
-          capabilities: capabilitiesMatch ? this.cleanForCSV(capabilitiesMatch[1]) : '',
-          role: roleMatch ? this.cleanForCSV(roleMatch[1]) : '',
-          identity: identityMatch ? this.cleanForCSV(identityMatch[1]) : '',
-          communicationStyle: styleMatch ? this.cleanForCSV(styleMatch[1]) : '',
-          principles: principlesMatch ? this.cleanForCSV(principlesMatch[1]) : '',
-          module: moduleName,
-          path: installPath,
-          canonicalId: this.getCanonicalId(skillManifest, entry.name),
-        });
-
-        // Add to files list
-        this.files.push({
-          type: 'agent',
-          name: agentName,
-          module: moduleName,
-          path: installPath,
-        });
-      }
     }
 
     return agents;

tools/cli/installers/lib/ide/shared/bmad-artifacts.js

@@ -5,6 +5,33 @@ const { loadSkillManifest, getCanonicalId } = require('./skill-manifest');
 /**
  * Helpers for gathering BMAD agents/tasks from the installed tree.
  * Shared by installers that need Claude-style exports.
+ *
+ * TODO: Dead code cleanup — compiled XML agents are retired.
+ *
+ * All agents now use the SKILL.md directory format with bmad-skill-manifest.yaml
+ * (type: agent). The legacy pipeline below only discovers compiled .md files
+ * containing <agent> XML tags, which no longer exist. The following are dead:
+ *
+ *   - getAgentsFromBmad()      — scans {module}/agents/ for .md files with <agent> tags
+ *   - getAgentsFromDir()       — recursive helper for the above
+ *   - AgentCommandGenerator    — (agent-command-generator.js) generates launcher .md files
+ *                                 that tell the LLM to load a compiled agent .md file
+ *   - agent-command-template.md — (templates/) the launcher template with hardcoded
+ *                                 {module}/agents/{{path}} reference
+ *
+ * Agent metadata for agent-manifest.csv is now handled entirely by
+ * ManifestGenerator.getAgentsFromDirRecursive() in manifest-generator.js,
+ * which walks the full module tree and finds type:agent directories.
+ *
+ * IDE installation of agents is handled by the native skill pipeline —
+ * each agent's SKILL.md directory is installed directly to the IDE's
+ * skills path, so no launcher intermediary is needed.
+ *
+ * Cleanup: remove getAgentsFromBmad, getAgentsFromDir, their exports,
+ * AgentCommandGenerator, agent-command-template.md, and all call sites
+ * in IDE installers that invoke collectAgentArtifacts / writeAgentLaunchers /
+ * writeColonArtifacts / writeDashArtifacts.
+ * getTasksFromBmad and getTasksFromDir may still be live — verify before removing.
  */
 async function getAgentsFromBmad(bmadDir, selectedModules = []) {
   const agents = [];