diff --git a/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/index.md b/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/index.md
index 6541317d..c01f8978 100644
--- a/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/index.md
+++ b/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/index.md
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ First know there is the full BMad Method Process and then there is a Quick Flow
- Implementation in minutes, not days
- Has a specialized single agent that does all of this: **[Quick Flow Solo Dev Agent](./quick-flow-solo-dev.md)**
+- **TEA engagement (optional)** - Choose TEA engagement: none, TEA-only (standalone), or integrated by track. See **[Test Architect Guide](./test-architecture.md)**.
+
## 🤖 Agents and Collaboration
Complete guide to BMM's AI agent team:
diff --git a/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/quick-start.md b/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/quick-start.md
index f5f73785..9358ba15 100644
--- a/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/quick-start.md
+++ b/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/quick-start.md
@@ -179,6 +179,16 @@ Once epics and stories are created:
**Why run this?** It ensures all your planning assets align properly before you start building.
+#### Optional: TEA Engagement
+
+Testing is not mandated by BMad. Decide how you want to engage TEA:
+
+- **No TEA** - Use your existing team testing approach
+- **TEA-only (Standalone)** - Use TEA workflows with your own requirements and environment
+- **TEA-integrated** - Use TEA as part of the BMad Method or Enterprise flow
+
+See the [Test Architect Guide](./test-architecture.md) for the five TEA engagement models and recommended sequences.
+
#### Context Management Tips
- **Use 200k+ context models** for best results (Claude Sonnet 4.5, GPT-4, etc.)
@@ -211,7 +221,14 @@ Once planning and architecture are complete, you'll move to Phase 4. **Important
3. Tell the agent: "Run dev-story"
4. The DEV agent will implement the story and update the sprint status
-#### 3.4 Review the Code (Optional but Recommended)
+#### 3.4 Generate Guardrail Tests (Optional)
+
+1. **Start a new chat** with the **TEA agent**
+2. Wait for the menu
+3. Tell the agent: "Run automate"
+4. The TEA agent generates or expands tests to act as guardrails
+
+#### 3.5 Review the Code (Optional but Recommended)
1. **Start a new chat** with the **DEV agent**
2. Wait for the menu
@@ -224,7 +241,8 @@ For each subsequent story, repeat the cycle using **fresh chats** for each workf
1. **New chat** → SM agent → "Run create-story"
2. **New chat** → DEV agent → "Run dev-story"
-3. **New chat** → DEV agent → "Run code-review" (optional but recommended)
+3. **New chat** → TEA agent → "Run automate" (optional)
+4. **New chat** → DEV agent → "Run code-review" (optional but recommended)
After completing all stories in an epic:
diff --git a/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/test-architecture.md b/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/test-architecture.md
index e64282d3..9d417a7a 100644
--- a/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/test-architecture.md
+++ b/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/test-architecture.md
@@ -6,6 +6,38 @@
- **Mission:** Deliver actionable quality strategies, automation coverage, and gate decisions that scale with project complexity and compliance demands.
- **Use When:** BMad Method or Enterprise track projects, integration risk is non-trivial, brownfield regression risk exists, or compliance/NFR evidence is required. (Quick Flow projects typically don't require TEA)
+## Choose Your TEA Engagement Model
+
+BMad does not mandate TEA. There are five valid ways to use it (or skip it). Pick one intentionally.
+
+1. **No TEA**
+ - Skip all TEA workflows. Use your existing team testing approach.
+
+2. **TEA-only (Standalone)**
+ - Use TEA on a non-BMad project. Bring your own requirements, acceptance criteria, and environments.
+ - Typical sequence: `*test-design` (system or epic) -> `*atdd` and/or `*automate` -> optional `*test-review` -> `*trace` for coverage and gate decisions.
+ - Run `*framework` or `*ci` only if you want TEA to scaffold the harness or pipeline.
+
+3. **Integrated: Greenfield - BMad Method (Simple/Standard Work)**
+ - Phase 3: system-level `*test-design`, then `*framework` and `*ci`.
+ - Phase 4: per-epic `*test-design`, optional `*atdd`, then `*automate` and optional `*test-review`.
+ - Gate (Phase 2): `*trace`.
+
+4. **Integrated: Brownfield - BMad Method or Enterprise (Simple or Complex)**
+ - Phase 2: baseline `*trace`.
+ - Phase 3: system-level `*test-design`, then `*framework` and `*ci`.
+ - Phase 4: per-epic `*test-design` focused on regression and integration risks.
+ - Gate (Phase 2): `*trace`; `*nfr-assess` (if not done earlier).
+ - For brownfield BMad Method, follow the same flow with `*nfr-assess` optional.
+
+5. **Integrated: Greenfield - Enterprise Method (Enterprise/Compliance Work)**
+ - Phase 2: `*nfr-assess`.
+ - Phase 3: system-level `*test-design`, then `*framework` and `*ci`.
+ - Phase 4: per-epic `*test-design`, plus `*atdd`/`*automate`/`*test-review`.
+ - Gate (Phase 2): `*trace`; archive artifacts as needed.
+
+If you are unsure, default to the integrated path for your track and adjust later.
+
## TEA Workflow Lifecycle
TEA integrates into the BMad development lifecycle during Solutioning (Phase 3) and Implementation (Phase 4):
@@ -16,6 +48,9 @@ graph TB
subgraph Phase2["Phase 2: PLANNING"]
PM["PM: *prd (creates PRD with FRs/NFRs)"]
PlanNote["Business requirements phase"]
+ NFR2["TEA: *nfr-assess (optional, enterprise)"]
+ PM -.-> NFR2
+ NFR2 -.-> PlanNote
PM -.-> PlanNote
end
@@ -23,8 +58,8 @@ graph TB
Architecture["Architect: *architecture"]
EpicsStories["PM/Architect: *create-epics-and-stories"]
TestDesignSys["TEA: *test-design (system-level)"]
- Framework["TEA: *framework"]
- CI["TEA: *ci"]
+ Framework["TEA: *framework (optional if needed)"]
+ CI["TEA: *ci (optional if needed)"]
GateCheck["Architect: *implementation-readiness"]
Architecture --> EpicsStories
Architecture --> TestDesignSys
@@ -174,7 +209,7 @@ npm install -D @seontechnologies/playwright-utils
**Enable during BMAD installation** by answering "Yes" when prompted.
-**Supported utilities (11 total):**
+**Supported utilities (10 total):**
- api-request, network-recorder, auth-session, intercept-network-call, recurse
- log, file-utils, burn-in, network-error-monitor
@@ -429,7 +464,7 @@ Provides fixture-based utilities that integrate into TEA's test generation and r
Benefit: Faster CI feedback, HTTP error detection
-**Utilities available** (11 total): api-request, network-recorder, auth-session, intercept-network-call, recurse, log, file-utils, burn-in, network-error-monitor, fixtures-composition
+**Utilities available** (10 total): api-request, network-recorder, auth-session, intercept-network-call, recurse, log, file-utils, burn-in, network-error-monitor, fixtures-composition
**Enable during BMAD installation** by answering "Yes" when prompted, or manually set `tea_use_playwright_utils: true` in `_bmad/bmm/config.yaml`.
diff --git a/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/workflows-implementation.md b/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/workflows-implementation.md
index 73dfa432..02d9c471 100644
--- a/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/workflows-implementation.md
+++ b/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/workflows-implementation.md
@@ -98,8 +98,9 @@ Stories move through these states in the sprint status file:
1. SM runs `create-story`
2. DEV runs `dev-story`
-3. DEV runs `code-review`
-4. If code review fails: DEV fixes issues in `dev-story`, then re-runs `code-review`
+3. (Optional) TEA runs `*automate` to generate or expand guardrail tests
+4. DEV runs `code-review`
+5. If code review fails: DEV fixes issues in `dev-story`, then re-runs `code-review`
**After Epic Complete:**
diff --git a/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/workflows-solutioning.md b/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/workflows-solutioning.md
index 3b6590e2..8cd61852 100644
--- a/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/workflows-solutioning.md
+++ b/docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/workflows-solutioning.md
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ Architecture documents are living. Update them as you learn during implementatio
**Key Difference:** Enterprise adds optional extended workflows AFTER architecture but BEFORE create-epics-and-stories. Everything else is identical to BMad Method.
-**Note:** TEA (Test Architect) operates across all phases and validates architecture testability but is not a Phase 3-specific workflow. See [Test Architecture Guide](../../../../docs/modules/bmm-bmad-method/test-architecture.md) for TEA's full lifecycle integration.
+**Note:** TEA (Test Architect) operates across all phases and validates architecture testability but is not a Phase 3-specific workflow. See [Test Architecture Guide](./test-architecture.md) for TEA's full lifecycle integration.
---
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/instructions.xml b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/instructions.xml
index 52405e71..701b438e 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/instructions.xml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/instructions.xml
@@ -336,9 +336,10 @@
1. Review the comprehensive story in {{story_file}}
2. Run dev agents `dev-story` for optimized implementation
3. Run `code-review` when complete (auto-marks done)
+ 4. Optional: Run TEA `*automate` after `dev-story` to generate guardrail tests
**The developer now has everything needed for flawless implementation!**
-
\ No newline at end of file
+
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/dev-story/instructions.xml b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/dev-story/instructions.xml
index 40c56244..4fb70efe 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/dev-story/instructions.xml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/dev-story/instructions.xml
@@ -397,6 +397,7 @@
- Verify all acceptance criteria are met
- Ensure deployment readiness if applicable
- Run `code-review` workflow for peer review
+ - Optional: Run TEA `*automate` to expand guardrail tests
@@ -406,4 +407,4 @@
Remain flexible - allow user to choose their own path or ask for other assistance
-
\ No newline at end of file
+