refactor: convert workflow.yaml to workflow.md (steps 1-3) (#1842)

* refactor(sprint-status): convert workflow.yaml + instructions.md to single workflow.md

Merge workflow config and instruction content into a unified workflow.md
with YAML frontmatter, following the established convention for converted
workflows. Update module-help.csv reference accordingly.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

* fix(sprint-status): restore no-time-estimates rule dropped during conversion

The <critical> preamble removal incorrectly classified this behavioral
rule as boilerplate. It is an actual output constraint.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

* test: add comprehensive workflow conversion test results

- 14 test fixtures covering data and validate modes
- Tested across Opus, Sonnet, and Haiku models
- OLD format (yaml+md) vs NEW format (workflow.md)
- Confirms zero regressions in conversion
- Includes reproduction instructions for future sessions

* fix(sprint-status): consolidate no-time-estimates into role line

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

* refactor(qa-generate-e2e-tests): convert workflow.yaml + instructions.md to single workflow.md

Task 2 of yaml-to-md conversion plan. Merges config variables into
INITIALIZATION section, inlines instructions into EXECUTION section.
Drops non-consumed yaml keys (required_tools, tags, execution_hints).

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

* refactor(retrospective): convert workflow.yaml + instructions.md to single workflow.md

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

* fix: update workflow.yaml references to workflow.md for converted workflows

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

* chore: remove test results file from version control

SPRINT_STATUS_CONVERSION_TEST_RESULTS.md contains hardcoded local
filesystem paths and is a session-specific test artifact. Added to
.bare/info/exclude to keep it ignored across all worktrees.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

---------

Co-authored-by: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

src/bmm/agents/qa.agent.yaml

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ agent:
 
   menu:
     - trigger: QA or fuzzy match on qa-automate
-      workflow: "{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/qa-generate-e2e-tests/workflow.yaml"
+      workflow: "{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/qa-generate-e2e-tests/workflow.md"
       description: "[QA] Automate - Generate tests for existing features (simplified)"
 
   prompts:

src/bmm/agents/sm.agent.yaml

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ agent:
       description: "[CS] Context Story: Prepare a story with all required context for implementation for the developer agent"
 
     - trigger: ER or fuzzy match on epic-retrospective
-      workflow: "{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/retrospective/workflow.yaml"
+      workflow: "{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/retrospective/workflow.md"
       data: "{project-root}/_bmad/_config/agent-manifest.csv"
       description: "[ER] Epic Retrospective: Party Mode review of all work completed across an epic."
 

src/bmm/module-help.csv

@@ -23,10 +23,10 @@ bmm,3-solutioning,Create Architecture,CA,10,_bmad/bmm/workflows/3-solutioning/cr
 bmm,3-solutioning,Create Epics and Stories,CE,30,_bmad/bmm/workflows/3-solutioning/create-epics-and-stories/workflow.md,bmad-bmm-create-epics-and-stories,true,pm,Create Mode,"Create the Epics and Stories Listing",planning_artifacts,"epics and stories",
 bmm,3-solutioning,Check Implementation Readiness,IR,70,_bmad/bmm/workflows/3-solutioning/check-implementation-readiness/workflow.md,bmad-bmm-check-implementation-readiness,true,architect,Validate Mode,"Ensure PRD UX Architecture and Epics Stories are aligned",planning_artifacts,"readiness report",
 bmm,4-implementation,Sprint Planning,SP,10,_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-planning/workflow.yaml,bmad-bmm-sprint-planning,true,sm,Create Mode,"Generate sprint plan for development tasks - this kicks off the implementation phase by producing a plan the implementation agents will follow in sequence for every story in the plan.",implementation_artifacts,"sprint status",
-bmm,4-implementation,Sprint Status,SS,20,_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-status/workflow.yaml,bmad-bmm-sprint-status,false,sm,Create Mode,"Anytime: Summarize sprint status and route to next workflow",,,
+bmm,4-implementation,Sprint Status,SS,20,_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-status/workflow.md,bmad-bmm-sprint-status,false,sm,Create Mode,"Anytime: Summarize sprint status and route to next workflow",,,
 bmm,4-implementation,Validate Story,VS,35,_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/workflow.yaml,bmad-bmm-create-story,false,sm,Validate Mode,"Validates story readiness and completeness before development work begins",implementation_artifacts,"story validation report",
 bmm,4-implementation,Create Story,CS,30,_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/workflow.yaml,bmad-bmm-create-story,true,sm,Create Mode,"Story cycle start: Prepare first found story in the sprint plan that is next, or if the command is run with a specific epic and story designation with context. Once complete, then VS then DS then CR then back to DS if needed or next CS or ER",implementation_artifacts,story,
 bmm,4-implementation,Dev Story,DS,40,_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/dev-story/workflow.yaml,bmad-bmm-dev-story,true,dev,Create Mode,"Story cycle: Execute story implementation tasks and tests then CR then back to DS if fixes needed",,,
 bmm,4-implementation,Code Review,CR,50,_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/code-review/workflow.yaml,bmad-bmm-code-review,false,dev,Create Mode,"Story cycle: If issues back to DS if approved then next CS or ER if epic complete",,,
-bmm,4-implementation,QA Automation Test,QA,45,_bmad/bmm/workflows/qa-generate-e2e-tests/workflow.yaml,bmad-bmm-qa-automate,false,qa,Create Mode,"Generate automated API and E2E tests for implemented code using the project's existing test framework (detects existing well known in use test frameworks). Use after implementation to add test coverage. NOT for code review or story validation - use CR for that.",implementation_artifacts,"test suite",
+bmm,4-implementation,QA Automation Test,QA,45,_bmad/bmm/workflows/qa-generate-e2e-tests/workflow.md,bmad-bmm-qa-automate,false,qa,Create Mode,"Generate automated API and E2E tests for implemented code using the project's existing test framework (detects existing well known in use test frameworks). Use after implementation to add test coverage. NOT for code review or story validation - use CR for that.",implementation_artifacts,"test suite",
-bmm,4-implementation,Retrospective,ER,60,_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/retrospective/workflow.yaml,bmad-bmm-retrospective,false,sm,Create Mode,"Optional at epic end: Review completed work lessons learned and next epic or if major issues consider CC",implementation_artifacts,retrospective,
+bmm,4-implementation,Retrospective,ER,60,_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/retrospective/workflow.md,bmad-bmm-retrospective,false,sm,Create Mode,"Optional at epic end: Review completed work lessons learned and next epic or if major issues consider CC",implementation_artifacts,retrospective,

src/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/retrospective/workflow.md

@@ -1,31 +1,71 @@
-# Retrospective - Epic Completion Review Instructions
+---
+name: retrospective
+description: 'Post-epic review to extract lessons and assess success. Use when the user says "run a retrospective" or "lets retro the epic [epic]"'
+---
 
-<critical>The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project-root}/_bmad/core/tasks/workflow.xml</critical>
+# Retrospective Workflow
-<critical>You MUST have already loaded and processed: {project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/retrospective/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>⚠️ ABSOLUTELY NO TIME ESTIMATES - NEVER mention hours, days, weeks, months, or ANY time-based predictions. AI has fundamentally changed development speed - what once took teams weeks/months can now be done by one person in hours. DO NOT give ANY time estimates whatsoever.</critical>
 
-<critical>
+**Goal:** Post-epic review to extract lessons and assess success.
-  DOCUMENT OUTPUT: Retrospective analysis. Concise insights, lessons learned, action items. User skill level ({user_skill_level}) affects conversation style ONLY, not retrospective content.
 
-FACILITATION NOTES:
+**Your Role:** Scrum Master facilitating retrospective.
+- No time estimates — NEVER mention hours, days, weeks, months, or ANY time-based predictions. AI has fundamentally changed development speed.
+- Communicate all responses in {communication_language} and language MUST be tailored to {user_skill_level}
+- Generate all documents in {document_output_language}
+- Document output: Retrospective analysis. Concise insights, lessons learned, action items. User skill level ({user_skill_level}) affects conversation style ONLY, not retrospective content.
+- Facilitation notes:
+  - Psychological safety is paramount - NO BLAME
+  - Focus on systems, processes, and learning
+  - Everyone contributes with specific examples preferred
+  - Action items must be achievable with clear ownership
+  - Two-part format: (1) Epic Review + (2) Next Epic Preparation
+- Party mode protocol:
+  - ALL agent dialogue MUST use format: "Name (Role): dialogue"
+  - Example: Bob (Scrum Master): "Let's begin..."
+  - Example: {user_name} (Project Lead): [User responds]
+  - Create natural back-and-forth with user actively participating
+  - Show disagreements, diverse perspectives, authentic team dynamics
 
-- Scrum Master facilitates this retrospective
+---
-- Psychological safety is paramount - NO BLAME
-- Focus on systems, processes, and learning
-- Everyone contributes with specific examples preferred
-- Action items must be achievable with clear ownership
-- Two-part format: (1) Epic Review + (2) Next Epic Preparation
 
-PARTY MODE PROTOCOL:
+## INITIALIZATION
 
-- ALL agent dialogue MUST use format: "Name (Role): dialogue"
+### Configuration Loading
-- Example: Bob (Scrum Master): "Let's begin..."
+
-- Example: {user_name} (Project Lead): [User responds]
+Load config from `{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/config.yaml` and resolve:
-- Create natural back-and-forth with user actively participating
+
-- Show disagreements, diverse perspectives, authentic team dynamics
+- `project_name`, `user_name`
-  </critical>
+- `communication_language`, `document_output_language`
+- `user_skill_level`
+- `planning_artifacts`, `implementation_artifacts`
+- `date` as system-generated current datetime
+- YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT in your Agent communication style with the config `{communication_language}`
+
+### Paths
+
+- `installed_path` = `{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/retrospective`
+- `sprint_status_file` = `{implementation_artifacts}/sprint-status.yaml`
+
+### Input Files
+
+| Input | Description | Path Pattern(s) | Load Strategy |
+|-------|-------------|------------------|---------------|
+| epics | The completed epic for retrospective | whole: `{planning_artifacts}/*epic*.md`, sharded_index: `{planning_artifacts}/*epic*/index.md`, sharded_single: `{planning_artifacts}/*epic*/epic-{{epic_num}}.md` | SELECTIVE_LOAD |
+| previous_retrospective | Previous epic's retrospective (optional) | `{implementation_artifacts}/**/epic-{{prev_epic_num}}-retro-*.md` | SELECTIVE_LOAD |
+| architecture | System architecture for context | whole: `{planning_artifacts}/*architecture*.md`, sharded: `{planning_artifacts}/*architecture*/*.md` | FULL_LOAD |
+| prd | Product requirements for context | whole: `{planning_artifacts}/*prd*.md`, sharded: `{planning_artifacts}/*prd*/*.md` | FULL_LOAD |
+| document_project | Brownfield project documentation (optional) | sharded: `{planning_artifacts}/*.md` | INDEX_GUIDED |
+
+### Required Inputs
+
+- `agent_manifest` = `{project-root}/_bmad/_config/agent-manifest.csv`
+
+### Context
+
+- `project_context` = `**/project-context.md` (load if exists)
+
+---
+
+## EXECUTION
 
 <workflow>
 
@@ -159,7 +199,7 @@ Bob (Scrum Master): "Perfect. Epic {{epic_number}} is complete and ready for ret
 </step>
 
 <step n="0.5" goal="Discover and load project documents">
-  <invoke-protocol name="discover_inputs" />
+  <action>Load input files according to the Input Files table in INITIALIZATION. For SELECTIVE_LOAD inputs, load only the epic matching {{epic_number}}. For FULL_LOAD inputs, load the complete document. For INDEX_GUIDED inputs, check the index first and load relevant sections. After discovery, these content variables are available: {epics_content} (selective load for this epic), {architecture_content}, {prd_content}, {document_project_content}</action>
   <note>After discovery, these content variables are available: {epics_content} (selective load for this epic), {architecture_content}, {prd_content}, {document_project_content}</note>
 </step>
 

src/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/retrospective/workflow.yaml

@@ -1,52 +0,0 @@
-# Retrospective - Epic Completion Review Workflow
-name: "retrospective"
-description: 'Post-epic review to extract lessons and assess success. Use when the user says "run a retrospective" or "lets retro the epic [epic]"'
-
-config_source: "{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/config.yaml"
-user_name: "{config_source}:user_name"
-communication_language: "{config_source}:communication_language"
-user_skill_level: "{config_source}:user_skill_level"
-document_output_language: "{config_source}:document_output_language"
-date: system-generated
-planning_artifacts: "{config_source}:planning_artifacts"
-implementation_artifacts: "{config_source}:implementation_artifacts"
-project_context: "**/project-context.md"
-
-installed_path: "{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/retrospective"
-template: false
-instructions: "{installed_path}/instructions.md"
-
-required_inputs:
-  - agent_manifest: "{project-root}/_bmad/_config/agent-manifest.csv"
-
-# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
-# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
-# Strategy: SELECTIVE LOAD - only load the completed epic and relevant retrospectives
-input_file_patterns:
-  epics:
-    description: "The completed epic for retrospective"
-    whole: "{planning_artifacts}/*epic*.md"
-    sharded_index: "{planning_artifacts}/*epic*/index.md"
-    sharded_single: "{planning_artifacts}/*epic*/epic-{{epic_num}}.md"
-    load_strategy: "SELECTIVE_LOAD"
-  previous_retrospective:
-    description: "Previous epic's retrospective (optional)"
-    pattern: "{implementation_artifacts}/**/epic-{{prev_epic_num}}-retro-*.md"
-    load_strategy: "SELECTIVE_LOAD"
-  architecture:
-    description: "System architecture for context"
-    whole: "{planning_artifacts}/*architecture*.md"
-    sharded: "{planning_artifacts}/*architecture*/*.md"
-    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
-  prd:
-    description: "Product requirements for context"
-    whole: "{planning_artifacts}/*prd*.md"
-    sharded: "{planning_artifacts}/*prd*/*.md"
-    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
-  document_project:
-    description: "Brownfield project documentation (optional)"
-    sharded: "{planning_artifacts}/*.md"
-    load_strategy: "INDEX_GUIDED"
-
-# Required files
-sprint_status_file: "{implementation_artifacts}/sprint-status.yaml"

src/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-status/workflow.md

@@ -1,9 +1,46 @@
-# Sprint Status - Multi-Mode Service
+---
+name: sprint-status
+description: 'Summarize sprint status and surface risks. Use when the user says "check sprint status" or "show sprint status"'
+---
 
-<critical>The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project-root}/_bmad/core/tasks/workflow.xml</critical>
+# Sprint Status Workflow
-<critical>You MUST have already loaded and processed: {project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-status/workflow.yaml</critical>
+
-<critical>Modes: interactive (default), validate, data</critical>
+**Goal:** Summarize sprint status, surface risks, and recommend the next workflow action.
-<critical>⚠️ ABSOLUTELY NO TIME ESTIMATES. Do NOT mention hours, days, weeks, or timelines.</critical>
+
+**Your Role:** You are a Scrum Master providing clear, actionable sprint visibility. No time estimates — focus on status, risks, and next steps.
+
+---
+
+## INITIALIZATION
+
+### Configuration Loading
+
+Load config from `{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/config.yaml` and resolve:
+
+- `project_name`, `user_name`
+- `communication_language`, `document_output_language`
+- `implementation_artifacts`
+- `date` as system-generated current datetime
+- YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT in your Agent communication style with the config `{communication_language}`
+
+### Paths
+
+- `installed_path` = `{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-status`
+- `sprint_status_file` = `{implementation_artifacts}/sprint-status.yaml`
+
+### Input Files
+
+| Input | Path | Load Strategy |
+|-------|------|---------------|
+| Sprint status | `{sprint_status_file}` | FULL_LOAD |
+
+### Context
+
+- `project_context` = `**/project-context.md` (load if exists)
+
+---
+
+## EXECUTION
 
 <workflow>
 

src/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-status/workflow.yaml

@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-# Sprint Status - Implementation Tracker
-name: sprint-status
-description: 'Summarize sprint status and surface risks. Use when the user says "check sprint status" or "show sprint status"'
-author: "BMad"
-
-# Critical variables from config
-config_source: "{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/config.yaml"
-user_name: "{config_source}:user_name"
-communication_language: "{config_source}:communication_language"
-document_output_language: "{config_source}:document_output_language"
-implementation_artifacts: "{config_source}:implementation_artifacts"
-
-# Workflow components
-installed_path: "{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-status"
-instructions: "{installed_path}/instructions.md"
-
-# Inputs
-sprint_status_file: "{implementation_artifacts}/sprint-status.yaml"
-
-# Smart input file references
-input_file_patterns:
-  sprint_status:
-    description: "Sprint status file generated by sprint-planning"
-    whole: "{implementation_artifacts}/sprint-status.yaml"
-    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"

src/bmm/workflows/qa-generate-e2e-tests/workflow.md

@@ -1,10 +1,43 @@
-# Quinn QA - Automate
+---
+name: qa-generate-e2e-tests
+description: 'Generate end to end automated tests for existing features. Use when the user says "create qa automated tests for [feature]"'
+---
 
-**Goal**: Generate automated API and E2E tests for implemented code.
+# QA Generate E2E Tests Workflow
 
-**Scope**: This workflow generates tests ONLY. It does **not** perform code review or story validation (use Code Review `CR` for that).
+**Goal:** Generate automated API and E2E tests for implemented code.
 
-## Instructions
+**Your Role:** You are a QA automation engineer. You generate tests ONLY — no code review or story validation (use Code Review `CR` for that).
+
+---
+
+## INITIALIZATION
+
+### Configuration Loading
+
+Load config from `{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/config.yaml` and resolve:
+
+- `project_name`, `user_name`
+- `communication_language`, `document_output_language`
+- `implementation_artifacts`
+- `date` as system-generated current datetime
+- YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT in your Agent communication style with the config `{communication_language}`
+
+### Paths
+
+- `installed_path` = `{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/qa-generate-e2e-tests`
+- `checklist` = `{installed_path}/checklist.md`
+- `test_dir` = `{project-root}/tests`
+- `source_dir` = `{project-root}`
+- `default_output_file` = `{implementation_artifacts}/tests/test-summary.md`
+
+### Context
+
+- `project_context` = `**/project-context.md` (load if exists)
+
+---
+
+## EXECUTION
 
 ### Step 0: Detect Test Framework
 
@@ -101,10 +134,10 @@ If the project needs:
 - Comprehensive coverage analysis
 - Advanced testing patterns and utilities
 
-→ **Install Test Architect (TEA) module**: <https://bmad-code-org.github.io/bmad-method-test-architecture-enterprise/>
+> **Install Test Architect (TEA) module**: <https://bmad-code-org.github.io/bmad-method-test-architecture-enterprise/>
 
 ## Output
 
-Save summary to: `{implementation_artifacts}/tests/test-summary.md`
+Save summary to: `{default_output_file}`
 
-**Done!** Tests generated and verified.
+**Done!** Tests generated and verified. Validate against `{checklist}`.

src/bmm/workflows/qa-generate-e2e-tests/workflow.yaml

@@ -1,42 +0,0 @@
-name: qa-generate-e2e-tests
-description: 'Generate end to end automated tests for existing features. Use when the user says "create qa automated tests for [feature]"'
-
-# Critical variables from config
-config_source: "{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/config.yaml"
-implementation_artifacts: "{config_source}:implementation_artifacts"
-user_name: "{config_source}:user_name"
-communication_language: "{config_source}:communication_language"
-document_output_language: "{config_source}:document_output_language"
-date: system-generated
-
-# Workflow components
-installed_path: "{project-root}/_bmad/bmm/workflows/qa-generate-e2e-tests"
-instructions: "{installed_path}/instructions.md"
-validation: "{installed_path}/checklist.md"
-template: false
-
-# Variables and inputs
-test_dir: "{project-root}/tests" # Root test directory
-source_dir: "{project-root}" # Source code directory
-
-# Output configuration
-default_output_file: "{implementation_artifacts}/tests/test-summary.md"
-
-# Required tools
-required_tools:
-  - read_file # Read source code and existing tests
-  - write_file # Create test files
-  - create_directory # Create test directories
-  - list_files # Discover features
-  - search_repo # Find patterns
-  - glob # Find files
-
-tags:
-  - qa
-  - automation
-  - testing
-
-execution_hints:
-  interactive: false
-  autonomous: true
-  iterative: false