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 34a2e0b2..2a40e328 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/instructions.md
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/instructions.md
@@ -28,15 +28,19 @@
READ COMPLETE FILES for all items found in the prioritized set. Store content and paths for citation.
-
- Query sprint-status for next backlog story:
+
+ MUST read COMPLETE sprint-status.yaml file from start to end to preserve order
+ Load the FULL file: {{output_folder}}/sprint-status.yaml
+ Read ALL lines from beginning to end - do not skip any content
+ Parse the development_status section completely to understand story order
-
- action: get_next_story
- filter_status: backlog
-
+ Find the FIRST story (by reading in order from top to bottom) where:
+ - Key matches pattern: number-number-name (e.g., "1-2-user-auth")
+ - NOT an epic key (epic-X) or retrospective (epic-X-retrospective)
+ - Status value equals "backlog"
+
-
+
- Parse {{result_story_key}} to extract epic_num, story_num, and story_title
- Example: "1-2-user-authentication" â epic_num=1, story_num=2, title="user-authentication"
+ Extract from found story key (e.g., "1-2-user-authentication"):
+ - epic_num: first number before dash (e.g., "1")
+ - story_num: second number after first dash (e.g., "2")
+ - story_title: remainder after second dash (e.g., "user-authentication")
Set {{story_id}} = "{{epic_num}}.{{story_num}}"
+ Store story_key for later use (e.g., "1-2-user-authentication")
Verify story is enumerated in {{epics_file}}. If not found, HALT with message:
- "Story {{result_story_key}} not found in epics.md. Please load PM agent and run correct-course to sync epics, then rerun create-story."
+ "Story {{story_key}} not found in epics.md. Please load PM agent and run correct-course to sync epics, then rerun create-story."
Check if story file already exists at expected path in {{story_dir}}
@@ -97,19 +104,20 @@ Will update existing story file rather than creating new one.
change_log
-
+
Validate against checklist at {installed_path}/checklist.md using bmad/core/tasks/validate-workflow.xml
Save document unconditionally (non-interactive default). In interactive mode, allow user confirmation.
-
- action: update_story_status
- story_key: {{result_story_key}}
- new_status: drafted
- validate: true
-
+
+ Update {{output_folder}}/sprint-status.yaml
+ Load the FULL file and read all development_status entries
+ Find development_status key matching {{story_key}}
+ Verify current status is "backlog" (expected previous state)
+ Update development_status[{{story_key}}] = "drafted"
+ Save file, preserving ALL comments and structure including STATUS DEFINITIONS
-
-