diff --git a/docs/document-sharding-guide.md b/docs/document-sharding-guide.md
index 43bbd8f6..7f3048e3 100644
--- a/docs/document-sharding-guide.md
+++ b/docs/document-sharding-guide.md
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ Workflows load only needed sections:
- Needs ALL epics to build complete status
-**epic-tech-context, create-story, story-context, code-review** (Selective):
+**create-story, code-review** (Selective):
```
Working on Epic 3, Story 2:
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/docs/agents-guide.md b/src/modules/bmm/docs/agents-guide.md
index 519f32f4..89010bb6 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/docs/agents-guide.md
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/docs/agents-guide.md
@@ -182,13 +182,8 @@ The BMad Method Module (BMM) provides a comprehensive team of specialized AI age
- `workflow-status` - Check what to do next
- `sprint-planning` - Initialize `sprint-status.yaml` tracking
-- `epic-tech-context` - Optional epic-specific technical context
-- `validate-epic-tech-context` - Validate epic technical context
- `create-story` - Draft next story from epic
- `validate-create-story` - Independent story validation
-- `story-context` - Assemble dynamic technical context XML
-- `validate-story-context` - Validate story context
-- `story-ready-for-dev` - Mark story ready without context generation
- `epic-retrospective` - Post-epic review
- `correct-course` - Handle changes during implementation
@@ -230,7 +225,6 @@ The BMad Method Module (BMM) provides a comprehensive team of specialized AI age
- Repository docs reference
- MCP server best practices
- Web search fallback
-- `story-done` - Mark story complete and advance queue
**Communication Style:** Succinct and checklist-driven. Cites file paths and acceptance criteria IDs. Only asks questions when inputs are missing.
@@ -458,7 +452,6 @@ The BMad Method Module (BMM) provides a comprehensive team of specialized AI age
- `workflow-status` - Check what to do next
- `develop-story` - Execute Dev Story workflow, implementing tasks and tests
-- `story-done` - Mark story done after DoD complete
- `code-review` - Perform thorough clean context QA code review on a story
**Communication Style:** Direct and energetic. Execution-focused. Breaks down complex game challenges into actionable steps. Celebrates performance wins.
@@ -649,15 +642,13 @@ Some workflows are available to multiple agents:
Many workflows have optional validation workflows that perform independent review:
-| Validation | Agent | Validates |
-| ---------------------------- | ----------- | -------------------------------- |
-| `validate-prd` | PM | PRD completeness (FRs/NFRs only) |
-| `validate-tech-spec` | PM | Technical specification quality |
-| `validate-architecture` | Architect | Architecture document |
-| `validate-design` | UX Designer | UX specification and artifacts |
-| `validate-epic-tech-context` | SM | Epic technical context |
-| `validate-create-story` | SM | Story draft |
-| `validate-story-context` | SM | Story context XML |
+| Validation | Agent | Validates |
+| ----------------------- | ----------- | -------------------------------- |
+| `validate-prd` | PM | PRD completeness (FRs/NFRs only) |
+| `validate-tech-spec` | PM | Technical specification quality |
+| `validate-architecture` | Architect | Architecture document |
+| `validate-design` | UX Designer | UX specification and artifacts |
+| `validate-create-story` | SM | Story draft |
**When to use validation:**
@@ -912,13 +903,10 @@ Load the customized agent and verify the changes are reflected in its behavior a
**Story Development Cycle:**
```
-1. SM: *epic-tech-context (optional, once per epic)
-2. SM: *create-story
-3. SM: *story-context
-4. DEV: *develop-story
-5. DEV: *code-review
-6. DEV: *story-done
-7. Repeat steps 2-6 for next story
+1. SM: *create-story
+2. DEV: *develop-story
+3. DEV: *code-review
+4. Repeat steps 1-3 for next story
```
**Testing Strategy:**
@@ -992,12 +980,12 @@ Quick reference for agent selection:
| **UX Designer** | ๐จ | 2 (Planning) | create-ux-design, validate-design | UX-heavy projects, design |
| **Architect** | ๐๏ธ | 3 (Solutioning) | architecture, implementation-readiness | Technical design, architecture |
| **SM** | ๐ | 4 (Implementation) | sprint-planning, create-story, story-context | Story management, sprint coordination |
-| **DEV** | ๐ป | 4 (Implementation) | develop-story, code-review, story-done | Implementation, coding |
+| **DEV** | ๐ป | 4 (Implementation) | develop-story, code-review | Implementation, coding |
| **TEA** | ๐งช | All Phases | framework, atdd, automate, trace, ci | Testing, quality assurance |
| **Paige (Tech Writer)** | ๐ | All Phases | document-project, diagrams, validation | Documentation, diagrams |
| **Principal Engineer** | โก | Quick Flow (All phases) | create-tech-spec, quick-dev, code-review | Rapid development, technical leadership |
| **Game Designer** | ๐ฒ | 1-2 (Games) | brainstorm-game, gdd, narrative | Game design, creative vision |
-| **Game Developer** | ๐น๏ธ | 4 (Games) | develop-story, story-done, code-review | Game implementation |
+| **Game Developer** | ๐น๏ธ | 4 (Games) | develop-story, code-review | Game implementation |
| **Game Architect** | ๐๏ธ | 3 (Games) | architecture, implementation-readiness | Game systems architecture |
| **BMad Master** | ๐ง | Meta | party-mode, list tasks/workflows | Orchestration, multi-agent |
@@ -1087,10 +1075,8 @@ Quick reference for agent selection:
- [ ] SM: `*sprint-planning` (once)
- [ ] SM: `*create-story`
-- [ ] SM: `*story-context`
- [ ] DEV: `*develop-story`
- [ ] DEV: `*code-review`
-- [ ] DEV: `*story-done`
**Testing Strategy:**
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/docs/brownfield-guide.md b/src/modules/bmm/docs/brownfield-guide.md
index 6a42e0c7..5ab15be0 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/docs/brownfield-guide.md
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/docs/brownfield-guide.md
@@ -320,18 +320,14 @@ See the [Workflows section in BMM README](../README.md) for details.
```mermaid
flowchart TD
SPRINT[sprint-planning
Initialize tracking]
- EPIC[epic-tech-context
Per epic]
CREATE[create-story]
- CONTEXT[story-context]
DEV[dev-story]
REVIEW[code-review]
CHECK{More stories?}
RETRO[retrospective
Per epic]
- SPRINT --> EPIC
- EPIC --> CREATE
- CREATE --> CONTEXT
- CONTEXT --> DEV
+ SPRINT --> CREATE
+ CREATE --> DEV
DEV --> REVIEW
REVIEW --> CHECK
CHECK -->|Yes| CREATE
@@ -343,7 +339,7 @@ flowchart TD
**Status Progression:**
-- Epic: `backlog โ contexted`
+- Epic: `backlog โ in-progress โ done`
- Story: `backlog โ drafted โ ready-for-dev โ in-progress โ review โ done`
**Brownfield-Specific Implementation Tips:**
@@ -351,7 +347,6 @@ flowchart TD
1. **Respect existing patterns** - Follow established conventions
2. **Test integration thoroughly** - Validate interactions with existing code
3. **Use feature flags** - Enable gradual rollout
-4. **Context injection matters** - epic-tech-context and story-context reference existing patterns
---
@@ -405,13 +400,7 @@ Document in tech-spec/architecture:
- Context epics before drafting stories
- Update `sprint-status.yaml` as work progresses
-### 9. Leverage Context Injection
-
-- Run `epic-tech-context` before story drafting
-- Always create `story-context` before implementation
-- These reference existing patterns for consistency
-
-### 10. Learn Continuously
+### 9. Learn Continuously
- Run `retrospective` after each epic
- Incorporate learnings into next stories
@@ -479,7 +468,7 @@ Document in tech-spec/architecture:
4. **Solution:** Load Architect โ `create-architecture` โ `create-epics-and-stories` โ `implementation-readiness`
5. **Implement:** Sprint-based (10-15 stories)
- Load SM โ `sprint-planning`
- - Per epic: `epic-tech-context` โ stories
+ - Load SM โ `create-story` per story
- Load DEV โ `dev-story` per story
6. **Review:** Per story completion
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/docs/enterprise-agentic-development.md b/src/modules/bmm/docs/enterprise-agentic-development.md
index 00738bcc..fd60f9ba 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/docs/enterprise-agentic-development.md
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/docs/enterprise-agentic-development.md
@@ -288,8 +288,8 @@ bmad ux *create-ux-design
**BMad ensures:**
-- AI agents follow architectural patterns consistently (via story-context)
-- Code standards applied uniformly (via epic-tech-context)
+- AI agents follow architectural patterns consistently
+- Code standards applied uniformly
- PRD traceability throughout implementation (via acceptance criteria)
- No "telephone game" between PM, design, and dev
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/docs/faq.md b/src/modules/bmm/docs/faq.md
index 60f7c87a..7d041b87 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/docs/faq.md
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/docs/faq.md
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ When in doubt, start smaller. You can always run create-prd later if needed.
### Q: Do I always need architecture for Level 2?
-**A:** No, architecture is **optional** for Level 2. Only create architecture if you need system-level design. Many Level 2 projects work fine with just PRD + epic-tech-context created during implementation.
+**A:** No, architecture is **optional** for Level 2. Only create architecture if you need system-level design. Many Level 2 projects work fine with just PRD created during planning.
### Q: What's the difference between Level 1 and Level 2?
@@ -162,15 +162,6 @@ If status file exists, use workflow-status. If not, use workflow-init.
## Planning Documents
-### Q: What's the difference between tech-spec and epic-tech-context?
-
-**A:**
-
-- **Tech-spec (Level 0-1):** Created upfront in Planning Phase, serves as primary/only planning document, a combination of enough technical and planning information to drive a single or multiple files
-- **Epic-tech-context (Level 2-4):** Created during Implementation Phase per epic, supplements PRD + Architecture
-
-Think of it as: tech-spec is for small projects (replaces PRD and architecture), epic-tech-context is for large projects (supplements PRD).
-
### Q: Why no tech-spec at Level 2+?
**A:** Level 2+ projects need product-level planning (PRD) and system-level design (Architecture), which tech-spec doesn't provide. Tech-spec is too narrow for coordinating multiple features. Instead, Level 2-4 uses:
@@ -178,13 +169,6 @@ Think of it as: tech-spec is for small projects (replaces PRD and architecture),
- PRD (product vision, functional requirements, non-functional requirements)
- Architecture (system design)
- Epics+Stories (created AFTER architecture is complete)
-- Epic-tech-context (detailed implementation per epic, created just-in-time)
-
-### Q: When do I create epic-tech-context?
-
-**A:** In Phase 4, right before implementing each epic. Don't create all epic-tech-context upfront - that's over-planning. Create them just-in-time using the epic-tech-context workflow as you're about to start working on that epic.
-
-**Why just-in-time?** You'll learn from earlier epics, and those learnings improve later epic-tech-context.
### Q: Do I need a PRD for a bug fix?
@@ -219,17 +203,6 @@ PRDs are for Level 2-4 projects with multiple features requiring product-level c
For Level 0-1 using tech-spec, story-context is less critical because tech-spec is already comprehensive.
-### Q: What if I don't create epic-tech-context before drafting stories?
-
-**A:** You can proceed without it, but you'll miss:
-
-- Epic-level technical direction
-- Architecture guidance for this epic
-- Integration strategy with other epics
-- Common patterns to follow across stories
-
-epic-tech-context helps ensure stories within an epic are cohesive.
-
### Q: How do I mark a story as done?
**A:** You have two options:
@@ -271,7 +244,7 @@ The story-done workflow is faster and ensures proper status file updates.
- What went well
- What could improve
- Technical insights
-- Input for next epic-tech-context
+- Learnings for future epics
Don't wait until project end - run after each epic for continuous improvement.
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/docs/glossary.md b/src/modules/bmm/docs/glossary.md
index daa5ec85..813cdf72 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/docs/glossary.md
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/docs/glossary.md
@@ -69,12 +69,6 @@ The methodology path (Quick Flow, BMad Method, or Enterprise Method) chosen for
**Quick Flow track only.** Comprehensive technical plan created upfront that serves as the primary planning document for small changes or features. Contains problem statement, solution approach, file-level changes, stack detection (brownfield), testing strategy, and developer resources.
-### Epic-Tech-Context (Epic Technical Context)
-
-**BMad Method/Enterprise tracks only.** Detailed technical planning document created during implementation (just-in-time) for each epic. Supplements PRD + Architecture with epic-specific implementation details, code-level design decisions, and integration points.
-
-**Key Difference:** Tech-spec (Quick Flow) is created upfront and is the only planning doc. Epic-tech-context (BMad Method/Enterprise) is created per epic during implementation and supplements PRD + Architecture.
-
### PRD (Product Requirements Document)
**BMad Method/Enterprise tracks.** Product-level planning document containing vision, goals, Functional Requirements (FRs), Non-Functional Requirements (NFRs), success criteria, and UX considerations. Replaces tech-spec for larger projects that need product planning. **V6 Note:** PRD focuses on WHAT to build (requirements). Epic+Stories are created separately AFTER architecture via create-epics-and-stories workflow.
@@ -125,14 +119,6 @@ Sprint-based development through story-by-story iteration. Uses sprint-planning,
Fast-track workflow system for Quick Flow track projects that goes straight from idea to tech-spec to implementation, bypassing heavy planning. Designed for bug fixes, small features, and rapid prototyping.
-### Just-In-Time Design
-
-Pattern where epic-tech-context is created during implementation (Phase 4) right before working on each epic, rather than all upfront. Enables learning and adaptation.
-
-### Context Injection
-
-Dynamic technical guidance generated for each story via epic-tech-context and story-context workflows, providing exact expertise when needed without upfront over-planning.
-
---
## Agents and Roles
@@ -209,11 +195,12 @@ backlog โ drafted โ ready-for-dev โ in-progress โ review โ done
### Epic Status Progression
```
-backlog โ contexted
+backlog โ in-progress โ done
```
-- **backlog** - Epic exists in planning docs but no context yet
-- **contexted** - Epic has technical context via epic-tech-context
+- **backlog** - Epic not yet started
+- **in-progress** - Epic actively being worked on
+- **done** - All stories in epic completed
### Retrospective
@@ -253,10 +240,6 @@ Markdown file containing story details: description, acceptance criteria, techni
Technical guidance document created via story-context workflow that provides implementation-specific context, references existing patterns, suggests approaches, and injects expertise for the specific story.
-### Epic Context
-
-Technical planning document created via epic-tech-context workflow before drafting stories within an epic. Provides epic-level technical direction, architecture notes, and implementation strategy.
-
### Sprint Planning
Workflow that initializes Phase 4 implementation by creating sprint-status.yaml, extracting all epics/stories from planning docs, and setting up tracking infrastructure.
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/docs/quick-start.md b/src/modules/bmm/docs/quick-start.md
index 4442045b..fae2da8c 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/docs/quick-start.md
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/docs/quick-start.md
@@ -200,35 +200,21 @@ Once planning and architecture are complete, you'll move to Phase 4. **Important
3. Tell the agent: "Run sprint-planning"
4. This creates your `sprint-status.yaml` file that tracks all epics and stories
-#### 3.2 Create Epic Context (Optional but Recommended)
-
-1. **Start a new chat** with the **SM agent**
-2. Wait for the menu
-3. Tell the agent: "Run epic-tech-context"
-4. This creates technical context for the current epic before drafting stories
-
-#### 3.3 Draft Your First Story
+#### 3.2 Draft Your First Story
1. **Start a new chat** with the **SM agent**
2. Wait for the menu
3. Tell the agent: "Run create-story"
4. This drafts the story file from the epic
-#### 3.4 Add Story Context (Optional but Recommended)
-
-1. **Start a new chat** with the **SM agent**
-2. Wait for the menu
-3. Tell the agent: "Run story-context"
-4. This creates implementation-specific technical context for the story
-
-#### 3.5 Implement the Story
+#### 3.3 Implement the Story
1. **Start a new chat** with the **DEV agent**
2. Wait for the menu
3. Tell the agent: "Run dev-story"
4. The DEV agent will implement the story and update the sprint status
-#### 3.6 Review the Code (Optional but Recommended)
+#### 3.4 Review the Code (Optional but Recommended)
1. **Start a new chat** with the **DEV agent**
2. Wait for the menu
@@ -240,9 +226,8 @@ Once planning and architecture are complete, you'll move to Phase 4. **Important
For each subsequent story, repeat the cycle using **fresh chats** for each workflow:
1. **New chat** โ SM agent โ "Run create-story"
-2. **New chat** โ SM agent โ "Run story-context"
-3. **New chat** โ DEV agent โ "Run dev-story"
-4. **New chat** โ DEV agent โ "Run code-review" (optional but recommended)
+2. **New chat** โ DEV agent โ "Run dev-story"
+3. **New chat** โ DEV agent โ "Run code-review" (optional but recommended)
After completing all stories in an epic:
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/docs/workflows-solutioning.md b/src/modules/bmm/docs/workflows-solutioning.md
index fbbfd1ae..3ce4b5ac 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/docs/workflows-solutioning.md
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/docs/workflows-solutioning.md
@@ -424,13 +424,13 @@ Architecture documents are living. Update them as you learn during implementatio
- **Planning:** prd (PM) - creates FRs/NFRs only, NOT epics
- **Solutioning:** Optional UX โ architecture (Architect) โ create-epics-and-stories (PM) โ implementation-readiness (Architect)
-- **Implementation:** sprint-planning โ epic-tech-context โ dev-story
+- **Implementation:** sprint-planning โ create-story โ dev-story
### Enterprise
- **Planning:** prd (PM) - creates FRs/NFRs only (same as BMad Method)
- **Solutioning:** Optional UX โ architecture (Architect) โ Optional extended workflows (security-architecture, devops-strategy) โ create-epics-and-stories (PM) โ implementation-readiness (Architect)
-- **Implementation:** sprint-planning โ epic-tech-context โ dev-story
+- **Implementation:** sprint-planning โ create-story โ dev-story
**Key Difference:** Enterprise adds optional extended workflows AFTER architecture but BEFORE create-epics-and-stories. Everything else is identical to BMad Method.
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 14351805..48e33ffb 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/instructions.xml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/instructions.xml
@@ -95,7 +95,22 @@
Load {{sprint_status}} and check epic-{{epic_num}} status
If epic status is "backlog" โ update to "in-progress"
- If epic status is "contexted" โ this means same as "in-progress", no change needed
+ If epic status is "contexted" (legacy status) โ update to "in-progress" (backward compatibility)
+ If epic status is "in-progress" โ no change needed
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ HALT - Cannot proceed
+
+
+
+
+
+ HALT - Cannot proceed
+
@@ -137,7 +152,22 @@
Load {{sprint_status}} and check epic-{{epic_num}} status
If epic status is "backlog" โ update to "in-progress"
- If epic status is "contexted" โ this means same as "in-progress", no change needed
+ If epic status is "contexted" (legacy status) โ update to "in-progress" (backward compatibility)
+ If epic status is "in-progress" โ no change needed
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ HALT - Cannot proceed
+
+
+
+
+
+ HALT - Cannot proceed
+
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/retrospective/instructions.md b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/retrospective/instructions.md
index 13af2dd0..4450a1ca 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/retrospective/instructions.md
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/retrospective/instructions.md
@@ -1395,9 +1395,9 @@ Retrospective document was saved successfully, but {sprint_status_file} may need
- Do NOT start Epic {{next_epic_num}} until review is complete
{{else}}
-4. **Begin Epic {{next_epic_num}} planning when preparation complete**
- - Load PM agent and run `epic-tech-context` for Epic {{next_epic_num}}
- - Or continue with existing contexted epics
+4. **Begin Epic {{next_epic_num}} when ready**
+ - Start drafting stories with SM agent's `create-story`
+ - Epic will be marked as `in-progress` automatically when first story is created
- Ensure all critical path items are done first
{{/if}}
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-planning/instructions.md b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-planning/instructions.md
index e7fd436b..f9439f67 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-planning/instructions.md
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-planning/instructions.md
@@ -68,12 +68,6 @@ development_status:
-For each epic, check if tech context file exists:
-
-- Check: `{output_folder}/epic-{num}-context.md`
-- If exists โ set epic status to `contexted`
-- Else โ keep as `backlog`
-
For each story, detect current status by checking files:
**Story file detection:**
@@ -93,7 +87,7 @@ development_status:
**Status Flow Reference:**
-- Epic: `backlog` โ `contexted`
+- Epic: `backlog` โ `in-progress` โ `done`
- Story: `backlog` โ `drafted` โ `ready-for-dev` โ `in-progress` โ `review` โ `done`
- Retrospective: `optional` โ `completed`
@@ -113,15 +107,20 @@ development_status:
# STATUS DEFINITIONS:
# ==================
# Epic Status:
-# - backlog: Epic exists in epic file but not contexted
-# - contexted: Epic tech context created (required before drafting stories)
+# - backlog: Epic not yet started
+# - in-progress: Epic actively being worked on
+# - done: All stories in epic completed
+#
+# Epic Status Transitions:
+# - backlog โ in-progress: Automatically when first story is created (via create-story)
+# - in-progress โ done: Manually when all stories reach 'done' status
#
# Story Status:
# - backlog: Story only exists in epic file
# - drafted: Story file created in stories folder
# - ready-for-dev: Draft approved and story context created
# - in-progress: Developer actively working on implementation
-# - review: Under SM review (via code-review workflow)
+# - review: Ready for code review (via Dev's code-review workflow)
# - done: Story completed
#
# Retrospective Status:
@@ -130,10 +129,10 @@ development_status:
#
# WORKFLOW NOTES:
# ===============
-# - Epics should be 'contexted' before stories can be 'drafted'
+# - Epic transitions to 'in-progress' automatically when first story is created
# - Stories can be worked in parallel if team capacity allows
# - SM typically drafts next story after previous one is 'done' to incorporate learnings
-# - Dev moves story to 'review', SM reviews, then Dev moves to 'done'
+# - Dev moves story to 'review', then runs code-review (fresh context, different LLM recommended)
generated: { date }
project: { project_name }
@@ -164,8 +163,7 @@ development_status:
- Total epics: {{epic_count}}
- Total stories: {{story_count}}
-- Epics contexted: {{contexted_count}}
-- Stories in progress: {{in_progress_count}}
+- Epics in-progress: {{in_progress_count}}
- Stories done: {{done_count}}
Display completion summary to {user_name} in {communication_language}:
@@ -175,8 +173,7 @@ development_status:
- **File Location:** {status_file}
- **Total Epics:** {{epic_count}}
- **Total Stories:** {{story_count}}
-- **Contexted Epics:** {{contexted_count}}
-- **Stories In Progress:** {{in_progress_count}}
+- **Epics In Progress:** {{epics_in_progress_count}}
- **Stories Completed:** {{done_count}}
**Next Steps:**
@@ -197,11 +194,12 @@ development_status:
**Epic Status Flow:**
```
-backlog โ contexted
+backlog โ in-progress โ done
```
-- **backlog**: Epic exists in epic file but tech context not created
-- **contexted**: Epic tech context has been generated (prerequisite for story drafting)
+- **backlog**: Epic not yet started
+- **in-progress**: Epic actively being worked on (stories being drafted/implemented)
+- **done**: All stories in epic completed
**Story Status Flow:**
@@ -213,7 +211,7 @@ backlog โ drafted โ ready-for-dev โ in-progress โ review โ done
- **drafted**: Story file created (e.g., `stories/1-3-plant-naming.md`)
- **ready-for-dev**: Draft approved + story context created
- **in-progress**: Developer actively working
-- **review**: Under SM review (via code-review workflow)
+- **review**: Ready for code review (via Dev's code-review workflow)
- **done**: Completed
**Retrospective Status:**
@@ -227,7 +225,7 @@ optional โ completed
### Guidelines
-1. **Epic Context Recommended**: Epics should be `contexted` before stories can be `drafted`
+1. **Epic Activation**: Mark epic as `in-progress` when starting work on its first story
2. **Sequential Default**: Stories are typically worked in order, but parallel work is supported
3. **Parallel Work Supported**: Multiple stories can be `in-progress` if team capacity allows
4. **Review Before Done**: Stories should pass through `review` before `done`
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-planning/sprint-status-template.yaml b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-planning/sprint-status-template.yaml
index be161709..b741a050 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-planning/sprint-status-template.yaml
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/sprint-planning/sprint-status-template.yaml
@@ -11,17 +11,17 @@
# STATUS DEFINITIONS:
# ==================
# Epic Status:
-# - backlog: Epic exists in epic file but not contexted
-# - contexted or in-progress
-# - done: Epic completed
+# - backlog: Epic not yet started
+# - in-progress: Epic actively being worked on
+# - done: All stories in epic completed
#
# Story Status:
# - backlog: Story only exists in epic file
-# - drafted: Story file created in stories folder by *create-story
-# - ready-for-dev: Draft approved and story context created by *story-ready
-# - in-progress: Developer actively working on implementation by *dev-story
-# - review: Implementation complete, ready for review by *code-review
-# - done: Story completed by *story-done
+# - drafted: Story file created in stories folder
+# - ready-for-dev: Draft approved, ready for development
+# - in-progress: Developer actively working on implementation
+# - review: Implementation complete, ready for review
+# - done: Story completed
#
# Retrospective Status:
# - optional: Can be completed but not required
@@ -29,9 +29,9 @@
#
# WORKFLOW NOTES:
# ===============
-# - Epics should be marked `in-progress` before stories can be marked beyond `backlog`
+# - Mark epic as 'in-progress' when starting work on its first story
# - SM typically drafts next story ONLY after previous one is 'done' to incorporate learnings
-# - Dev moves story to 'review', dev reviews, then Dev moves to 'done'
+# - Dev moves story to 'review', then Dev runs code-review (fresh context, ideally different LLM)
# EXAMPLE STRUCTURE (your actual epics/stories will replace these):
diff --git a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/testarch/atdd/atdd-checklist-template.md b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/testarch/atdd/atdd-checklist-template.md
index a64c4969..8eaa4f59 100644
--- a/src/modules/bmm/workflows/testarch/atdd/atdd-checklist-template.md
+++ b/src/modules/bmm/workflows/testarch/atdd/atdd-checklist-template.md
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ test('should do something', async ({ {fixtureName} }) => {
4. **Work one test at a time** (red โ green for each)
5. **Share progress** in daily standup
6. **When all tests pass**, refactor code for quality
-7. **When refactoring complete**, run `bmad sm story-done` to move story to DONE
+7. **When refactoring complete**, manually update story status to 'done' in sprint-status.yaml
---