WHO YOU GONNA CALL? 👻 GHOST-FEATURE-BUSTERS!
Implements reverse gap analysis to find "orphaned code" - functionality
that exists in the codebase but has no corresponding story documentation.
Use Case:
"Find functionality that doesn't exist in any story (was vibe coded or
magically appeared) and propose backfilling stories" - User
FEATURE: /ghost-features (trigger: GFD)
---------------------------------------
Scans codebase and cross-references with ALL stories to find orphans:
1. Codebase Scan:
- React/Vue/Angular components
- API endpoints (Next.js, NestJS, Express)
- Database tables (Prisma, TypeORM, migrations)
- Services and business logic modules
- Ignores tests, build artifacts, node_modules
2. Cross-Reference with Stories:
- Check if component mentioned in any File List
- Check if API mentioned in any Task/AC
- Check if table mentioned in any story
- Mark as DOCUMENTED if found, ORPHAN if not
3. Severity Classification:
- CRITICAL: APIs, auth, payment (security-critical)
- HIGH: Components, DB tables, services (significant features)
- MEDIUM: Utilities, helpers
- LOW: Config files, constants
4. Backfill Story Generation:
- Analyze orphan code to understand functionality
- Generate story draft documenting existing implementation
- Mark most tasks as [x] (already exists)
- Add tasks for missing tests/docs
- Suggest epic assignment based on functionality
5. Epic Organization:
- Option A: Create "Epic-Backfill" for all orphans
- Option B: Distribute to existing epics
- Option C: Leave in backlog
Output:
- Orphaned features list (by severity and type)
- Documentation coverage % (what % of code has stories)
- Backfill stories created (if requested)
- Comprehensive report (ghost-features-report-{timestamp}.md)
Usage:
```bash
# Detect orphans in entire sprint
/ghost-features
# Detect orphans in Epic 2
/ghost-features epic_number=2 scan_scope=epic
# Detect and create backfill stories
/ghost-features create_backfill_stories=true
# Full codebase scan
/ghost-features scan_scope=codebase
```
Files Created:
- detect-ghost-features/workflow.yaml: Reverse gap analysis config
- detect-ghost-features/instructions.md: 8-step detection + backfill process
Files Modified:
- sm.agent.yaml: Added GFD (Ghost Feature Detector) menu item
Benefits:
- Prevents "ghost features" from accumulating
- Documents vibe-coded functionality
- Maintains story-code parity
- Enables accurate sprint planning (know what actually exists)
- Makes codebase auditable (every feature has a story)
- Catches manual code additions that bypassed story process
Implements user-requested revalidation capability to verify checkbox accuracy.
Use Case:
"I am uncertain about the real status of some stories and epics that I've
worked on and would love a re-check" - User
FEATURE: /revalidate-story
-------------------------
Clears all checkboxes and re-verifies each item against codebase:
1. Clear Phase:
- Uncheck all boxes in ACs, Tasks, DoD
- Start from clean slate
2. Verification Phase:
- For each item: search codebase with Glob/Grep
- Read files to verify actual implementation (not stubs)
- Check for tests and verify they pass
- Re-check verified items: [x] verified, [~] partial, [ ] missing
3. Gap Reporting:
- Report what exists vs what's documented
- Calculate accuracy (before % vs after %)
- Identify over-reported (checked but missing) and under-reported (exists but unchecked)
4. Gap Filling Mode (optional):
- Implement missing items
- Run tests to verify
- Commit per gap or all at once
- Re-verify after filling
Token Cost Analysis:
- Verify-only: ~30-45K tokens (just scan and report)
- Verify-and-fill (10% gaps): ~35-55K tokens
- Verify-and-fill (50% gaps): ~60-90K tokens
- Compare to full re-implementation: ~80-120K tokens
- Savings: 40-60% when gaps <30%
FEATURE: /revalidate-epic
------------------------
Batch revalidation of all stories in an epic using semaphore pattern:
- Maintain pool of N concurrent workers
- As worker finishes → immediately start next story
- Constant concurrency until all stories revalidated
- Epic-wide summary with health score
- Stories grouped by completion %
Usage:
```bash
# Verify only
/revalidate-story story_file=path/to/story.md
# Verify and fill gaps
/revalidate-story story_file=path/to/story.md fill_gaps=true
# Revalidate entire epic
/revalidate-epic epic_number=2
# Revalidate epic and fill all gaps
/revalidate-epic epic_number=2 fill_gaps=true max_concurrent=5
```
Files Created:
- revalidate-story/workflow.yaml: Story revalidation config
- revalidate-story/instructions.md: 10-step revalidation process
- revalidate-epic/workflow.yaml: Epic batch revalidation config
- revalidate-epic/instructions.md: Semaphore pattern for parallel revalidation
Files Modified:
- dev.agent.yaml: Added RVS and RVE menu items
- sm.agent.yaml: Added RVS and RVE menu items
Next: Reverse gap analysis (detect orphaned code with no stories)
- Remove autonomous-epic workflow from BMM and BMGD modules
- Remove agent menu entries for autonomous-epic
- Update workflow references to use batch-super-dev
- Add README-changes.md documenting fork customizations
- Remove outdated SPRINT-STATUS-SYNC-GUIDE.md
batch-super-dev is the superior approach with proactive story
validation, auto-creation of missing stories, and smart reconciliation.
- Add super-dev-story to dev agents (trigger: SDS)
- Add gap-analysis to dev + scrum master agents (trigger: GA)
- Add autonomous-epic to dev + scrum master agents (trigger: AEP)
- All workflows now accessible via slash commands
Available commands:
- /super-dev-story or /SDS
- /gap-analysis or /GA
- /autonomous-epic or /AEP
* fix: restore agent files accidentally modified in Docusaurus merge
Restores 25 agent files to their pre-merge state:
- Trigger format with shortcuts (WS, CH, BP, etc.) restored
- Fuzzy matching syntax restored
- BMB module: restores separate agent-builder, module-builder,
workflow-builder agents; removes consolidated bmad-builder
Also updates test to match restored trigger format.
Note: Schema validation needs update in follow-up commit.
* fix: normalize trigger fuzzy match format for schema validation
- Add dashes to fuzzy match text to match kebab-case triggers
- Add missing 'chat' kebab in CH triggers (CH or chat or fuzzy match on chat)
- Relax schema to allow 1-3 char shortcuts and skip shortcut derivation check
- Remove compound-wrong-shortcut test fixture (no longer validated)
All 24 agent files now pass schema validation.
* feat: add documentation website with Docusaurus build pipeline
* feat(docs): add AI discovery meta tags for llms.txt files
- Add global headTags with ai-terms, llms, llms-full meta tags
- Update landing page link to clarify AI context purpose
* fix(docs): restore accidentally deleted faq.md and glossary.md
Files were removed in 12dd97fe during path restructuring.
* fix(docs): update broken project-readme links to GitHub URL
* feat(schema): add compound trigger format validation
- Fix XML syntax error in dev-story/instructions.xml:20 (goto element)
- Fix path typo in tech-writer.agent.yaml (_bmadbmm → _bmad/bmm)
- Fix wrong route in analyst.agent.yaml (edit-agent → party-mode)
- Comment out unimplemented validate-create-story in sm.agent.yaml
- Comment out unimplemented validate-design in ux-designer.agent.yaml
- Remove misleading validate-create-story reference in create-story output
Fixes#1075
Related to #1163🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
Co-authored-by: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Co-authored-by: Brian <bmadcode@gmail.com>
The `drafted` story state is no longer used since create-story now sets
status directly to `ready-for-dev`. This PR removes all references to
this legacy state from BMM documentation and workflow files.
Changes:
- Remove `drafted` from story status definitions and state machine docs
- Remove dead story-context file detection (story-context files no longer exist)
- Replace "draft" verb with "create" in story-related messaging
- Add legacy `drafted` → `ready-for-dev` migration in sprint-status
- Clarify that validate-create-story is optional and doesn't change status
- Document story handoff sequence: create-story → (optional) validate → dev-story
Story lifecycle is now: backlog → ready-for-dev → in-progress → review → done
Closes#1089🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)
Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
MAJOR BREAKING CHANGES: Phase 4 completely reengineered for developer efficiency and quality
🚀 **Phase 4 Streamlined & Supercharged:**
- **Reduced from 11 to 5 essential workflows** (55% reduction in complexity)
- **Eliminated redundant steps** that created token waste and confusion
- **Created single source of truth** story files with comprehensive implementation context
- **Achieved more reliable results** with fewer steps and better developer guidance
💡 **Revolutionary Dev Agent Behavior Fixes:**
- **Story file is now LAW:** Tasks/subtasks sequence is absolutely binding
- **Red-green-refactor enforcement:** Tests written first, validated, then implementation
- **Zero tolerance for cheating:** Tests must ACTUALLY exist and pass before marking complete
- **Sequential execution only:** No more "doing whatever you want" - follow the story exactly
- **Continuous execution:** No premature pausing until all tasks complete
🎯 **Quality Competition System:**
- **Enhanced story context engine** prevents common LLM development mistakes
- **Quality competition between LLMs** ensures optimal story preparation
- **Comprehensive anti-pattern prevention** stops wheel reinvention and wrong approaches
- **Developer optimization focus** for maximum clarity with minimum verbosity
📋 **Enhanced Definition of Done:**
- **27-point validation checklist** covers all implementation aspects
- **Multiple validation gates** prevent claiming work that isn't actually done
- **Comprehensive test requirements** ensure no functionality goes untested
- **File tracking and documentation** for complete project visibility
🔧 **Technical Improvements:**
- **Variable consistency** throughout all workflow files
- **XML instruction format** for better workflow engine compatibility
- **Proper ask tag handling** for user interaction clarity
- **Project context integration** without blocking implementation
- **Fixed all agent schema compliance** for proper array formatting
**Result:** Phase 4 now delivers superior development outcomes with:
- ✅ **55% fewer workflows** to learn and maintain
- ✅ **Dramatically reduced token usage** and context switching
- ✅ **Eliminated dev agent behavioral issues** that caused quality problems
- ✅ **Faster time-to-completion** with more reliable, predictable results
- ✅ **Better developer experience** with clearer guidance and validation
This represents the most significant Phase 4 improvement since BMAD Method inception - fundamentally fixing developer workflow quality while drastically simplifying the implementation process.
Major Changes:
- Add sample custom agents demonstrating installable agent system
- commit-poet: Generates semantic commit messages (BMAD Method repo sample)
- toolsmith: Development tooling expert with knowledge base covering bundlers, deployment, docs, installers, modules, and tests (BMAD Method repo sample)
- Both agents demonstrate custom agent architecture and are installable to projects via BMAD installer system
- Include comprehensive installation guides and sidecar knowledge bases
- Add bmad-quick-flow methodology for rapid development
- create-tech-spec: Direct technical specification workflow
- quick-dev: Flexible execution workflow supporting both tech-spec-driven and direct instruction development
- quick-flow-solo-dev (Barry): 1 man show agent specialized in bmad-quick-flow methodology
- Comprehensive documentation for quick-flow approach and solo development
- Remove deprecated tech-spec workflow track
- Delete entire tech-spec workflow directory and templates
- Remove quick-spec-flow.md documentation (replaced by quick-flow docs)
- Clean up unused epic and story templates
- Fix custom agent installation across IDE installers
- Repair antigravity and multiple IDE installers to properly support custom agents
- Enable custom agent installation via quick installer, agent installer, regular installer, and special agent installer
- All installation methods now accessible via npx with full documentation
Infrastructure:
- Update BMM module configurations and team setups
- Modify workflow status paths to support quick-flow integration
- Reorganize documentation with new agent and workflow guides
- Add custom/ directory for user customizations
- Update platform codes and installer configurations
## Overview
This commit represents a complete overhaul of the BMAD agent creation system, establishing clear standards for agent development, installation workflows, and persona design. The changes span documentation, tooling, reference implementations, and field-specific guidance.
## Key Components
### 1. Agent Installation Infrastructure
**New CLI Command: `agent-install`**
- Interactive agent installation with persona customization
- Supports Simple (single YAML), Expert (sidecar files), and Module agents
- Template variable processing with Handlebars-style syntax
- Automatic compilation from YAML to XML (.md) format
- Manifest tracking and IDE integration (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, etc.)
- Source preservation in `_cfg/custom/agents/` for reinstallation
**Files Created:**
- `tools/cli/commands/agent-install.js` - Main CLI command
- `tools/cli/lib/agent/compiler.js` - YAML to XML compilation engine
- `tools/cli/lib/agent/installer.js` - Installation orchestration
- `tools/cli/lib/agent/template-engine.js` - Handlebars template processing
**Compiler Features:**
- Auto-injects frontmatter, activation, handlers, help/exit menu items
- Smart handler inclusion (only includes action/workflow/exec/tmpl handlers actually used)
- Proper XML escaping and formatting
- Persona name customization (e.g., "Fred the Commit Poet")
### 2. Documentation Overhaul
**Deleted Bloated/Outdated Docs (2,651 lines removed):**
- Old verbose architecture docs
- Redundant pattern files
- Outdated workflow guides
**Created Focused, Type-Specific Docs:**
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/understanding-agent-types.md` - Architecture vs capability distinction
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/simple-agent-architecture.md` - Self-contained agents
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/expert-agent-architecture.md` - Agents with sidecar files
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/module-agent-architecture.md` - Workflow-integrated agents
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/agent-compilation.md` - YAML → XML process
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/agent-menu-patterns.md` - Menu design patterns
- `src/modules/bmb/docs/index.md` - Documentation hub
**Net Result:** ~1,930 line reduction while adding MORE value through focused content
### 3. Create-Agent Workflow Enhancements
**Critical Persona Field Guidance Added to Step 4:**
Explains how the LLM interprets each persona field when the agent activates:
- **role** → "What knowledge, skills, and capabilities do I possess?"
- **identity** → "What background, experience, and context shape my responses?"
- **communication_style** → "What verbal patterns, word choice, quirks, and phrasing do I use?"
- **principles** → "What beliefs and operating philosophy drive my choices?"
**Key Insight:** `communication_style` should ONLY describe HOW the agent talks, not restate role/identity/principles. The `communication-presets.csv` provides 60 pure communication styles with NO role/identity/principles mixed in.
**Files Updated:**
- `src/modules/bmb/workflows/create-agent/instructions.md` - Added persona field interpretation guide
- `src/modules/bmb/workflows/create-agent/brainstorm-context.md` - Refined to 137 lines
- `src/modules/bmb/workflows/create-agent/communication-presets.csv` - 60 styles across 13 categories
### 4. Reference Agent Cleanup
**Removed install_config Personality Bloat:**
Understanding: Future installer will handle personality customization, so stripped all personality toggles from reference agents.
**commit-poet.agent.yaml** (Simple Agent):
- BEFORE: 36 personality combinations (3 enthusiasm × 3 depths × 4 styles) = decision fatigue
- AFTER: Single concise persona with pure communication style
- Changed from verbose conditionals to: "Poetic drama and flair with every turn of a phrase. I transform mundane commits into lyrical masterpieces, finding beauty in your code's evolution."
- Reduction: 248 lines → 153 lines (38% reduction)
**journal-keeper.agent.yaml** (Expert Agent):
- Stripped install_config, simplified communication_style
- Shows proper Expert agent structure with sidecar files
**security-engineer.agent.yaml & trend-analyst.agent.yaml** (Module Agents):
- Added header comments explaining WHY Module Agent (design intent, not just location)
- Clarified: Module agents are designed FOR ecosystem integration, not capability-limited
**Files Updated:**
- `src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/simple-examples/commit-poet.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/expert-examples/journal-keeper/journal-keeper.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/module-examples/security-engineer.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/module-examples/trend-analyst.agent.yaml`
### 5. BMM Agent Voice Enhancement
**Gave all 9 BMM agents distinct, memorable communication voices:**
**Mary (analyst)** - The favorite! Changed from generic "systematic and probing" to:
"Treats analysis like a treasure hunt - excited by every clue, thrilled when patterns emerge. Asks questions that spark 'aha!' moments while structuring insights with precision."
**Other Notable Voices:**
- **John (pm):** "Asks 'WHY?' relentlessly like a detective on a case. Direct and data-sharp, cuts through fluff to what actually matters."
- **Winston (architect):** "Speaks in calm, pragmatic tones, balancing 'what could be' with 'what should be.' Champions boring technology that actually works."
- **Amelia (dev):** "Ultra-succinct. Speaks in file paths and AC IDs - every statement citable. No fluff, all precision."
- **Bob (sm):** "Crisp and checklist-driven. Every word has a purpose, every requirement crystal clear. Zero tolerance for ambiguity."
- **Sally (ux-designer):** "Paints pictures with words, telling user stories that make you FEEL the problem. Empathetic advocate with creative storytelling flair."
**Pattern Applied:** Moved behaviors from communication_style to principles, keeping communication_style as PURE verbal patterns.
**Files Updated:**
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/analyst.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/pm.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/architect.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/dev.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/sm.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/tea.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/tech-writer.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/ux-designer.agent.yaml`
- `src/modules/bmm/agents/frame-expert.agent.yaml`
### 6. Linting Fixes
**ESLint Compliance:**
- Replaced all `'utf-8'` with `'utf8'` (unicorn/text-encoding-identifier-case)
- Changed `variables.hasOwnProperty(varName)` to `Object.hasOwn(variables, varName)` (unicorn/prefer-object-has-own)
- Replaced `JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(...))` with `structuredClone(...)` (unicorn/prefer-structured-clone)
- Fixed empty YAML mapping values in sample files
**Files Fixed:**
- 7 JavaScript files across agent tooling (compiler, installer, commands, IDE integration)
- 1 YAML sample file
## Architecture Decisions
### Agent Types Are About Architecture, Not Capability
- **Simple:** Self-contained in single YAML (NOT limited in capability)
- **Expert:** Includes sidecar files (templates, docs, etc.)
- **Module:** Designed for BMAD ecosystem integration (workflows, cross-agent coordination)
### Persona Field Separation Critical for LLM Interpretation
The LLM needs distinct fields to understand its role:
- Mixing role/identity/principles into communication_style confuses the persona
- Pure communication styles (from communication-presets.csv) have ZERO role/identity/principles content
- Example DON'T: "Experienced analyst who uses systematic approaches..." (mixing identity + style)
- Example DO: "Systematic and probing. Structures findings hierarchically." (pure style)
### Install-Time vs Runtime Configuration
- Template variables ({{var}}) resolve at compile-time
- Runtime variables ({user_name}, {bmad_folder}) resolve when agent activates
- Future installer will handle personality customization, so agents should ship with single default persona
## Testing
- All linting passes (ESLint with max-warnings=0)
- Agent compilation tested with commit-poet, journal-keeper examples
- Install workflow validated with Simple and Expert agent types
- Manifest tracking and IDE integration verified
## Impact
This establishes BMAD as having a complete, production-ready agent creation and installation system with:
- Clear documentation for all agent types
- Automated compilation and installation
- Strong persona design guidance
- Reference implementations showing best practices
- Distinct, memorable agent voices throughout BMM module
Co-Authored-By: BMad Builder <builder@bmad.dev>
Co-Authored-By: Mary the Analyst <analyst@bmad.dev>
Co-Authored-By: Paige the Tech Writer <tech-writer@bmad.dev>
## Summary
- Add ide-only and web-only boolean fields to agent menu schema
- Filter menu items based on build target (web bundle vs local IDE)
- Update BMM agent definitions with platform restrictions and improved descriptions
- Update frame-expert agent icon to 📐 and add webskip flag
## Changes
### Schema & Bundler Updates
- tools/schema/agent.js: Add ide-only and web-only optional boolean fields
- tools/cli/lib/yaml-xml-builder.js: Filter ide-only items from web bundles
- tools/cli/lib/xml-handler.js: Pass forWebBundle flag through build chain
### Agent Updates
- frame-expert: Change icon to 📐, add webskip flag, improve principle formatting
- pm: Mark workflow-init and correct-course as ide-only, advanced-elicitation as web-only
- ux-designer: Rename trigger to create-ux-design, mark advanced-elicitation as web-only
- sm: Rename triggers for consistency (story-context → create-story-context)
- analyst: Add research workflow after brainstorm, mark advanced-elicitation as web-only
- architect: Remove document field from validate-architecture, add web-only flag
- dev: Update persona and critical actions for clarity
- tech-writer: Add party-mode workflow, mark advanced-elicitation as web-only
- tea: Mark advanced-elicitation as web-only
- All agents: Standardize party-mode description
This enables platform-specific functionality where some commands only make sense
in IDE environments (workflow-init) or web interfaces (advanced-elicitation).
- Installation path is now fully configurable, allowing users to specify custom installation directories during setup
- Default installation location changed to .bmad (hidden directory) for cleaner project root organization
Web Bundle Improvements:
- All web bundles (single agent and team) now include party mode support for multi-agent collaboration!
- Advanced elicitation capabilities integrated into standalone agents
- All bundles enhanced with party mode agent manifests
- Added default-party.csv files to bmm, bmgd, and cis module teams
- The default party file is what will be used with single agent bundles. teams can customize for different party configurations before web bundling through a setting in the team yaml file
- New web bundle outputs for all agents (analyst, architect, dev, pm, sm, tea, tech-writer, ux-designer, game-*, creative-squad)
Phase 4 Workflow Updates (In Progress):
- Initiated shift to separate phase 4 implementation artifacts from documentation
- Phase 4 implementation artifacts (stories, code review, sprint plan, context files) will move to dedicated location outside docs folder
- Installer questions and configuration added for artifact path selection
- Updated workflow.yaml files for code-review, sprint-planning, story-context, epic-tech-context, and retrospective workflows to support this, but still might require some udpates
Additional Changes:
- New agent and action command header models for standardization
- Enhanced web-bundle-activation-steps fragment
- Updated web-bundler.js to support new structure
- VS Code settings updated for new .bmad directory
- Party mode instructions and workflow enhanced for better orchestration
IDE Installer Updates:
- Show version number of installer in cli
- improved Installer UX
- Gemini TOML Improved to have clear loading instructions with @ commands
- All tools agent launcher mds improved to use a central file template critical indication isntead of hardcoding in 2 different locations.
Jonah Schulte
Brian Madison
Jonah Schulte
Alex Verkhovsky
Serhii
PinkyD