Adds JMAD.md, a comprehensive guide for users on how to:
1. Create a specialized Google Gemini Gem (BMad Gem) using the team-all.txt prompt from the BMad-METHOD.
2. Configure this Gem to leverage Jules for codebase diagnostics and analysis during planning.
3. Detail the workflow for using the BMad Gem to generate Jules-executable plans for both greenfield and brownfield projects.
The document emphasizes the distinct roles of the BMad Gem (planning) and Jules (execution), and the user's role in relaying information between them. It includes examples of how the Gem should instruct the user to query Jules and how the final plan for Jules should be formatted.
# [4.20.0](https://github.com/bmadcode/BMAD-METHOD/compare/v4.19.2...v4.20.0) (2025-06-29)
### Features
* Massive documentation refactor, added explanation of the new expanded role of the QA agent that will make your code quality MUCH better. 2 new diagram clearly explain the role of the pre dev ideation cycle (prd and architecture) and the details of how the dev cycle works. ([c881dcc](c881dcc48f))
* chore: Update brownfield-fullstack.yml
- Update descriptions, status messages, and artifact names in brownfield-fullstack
* chore: Update brownfield-service.yml
- Update descriptions, status messages, and artifact names in brownfield-service
* chore: Update brownfield-ui.yml
- Update descriptions, status messages, and artifact names in brownfield-ui workflows
This release introduces significant enhancements across multiple areas:
QA Agent Transformation:
- Transform QA agent into senior developer role with active code refactoring abilities
- Add review-story task enabling QA to review, refactor, and improve code directly
- Integrate QA review step into standard development workflow (SM → Dev → QA)
- QA can fix small issues directly and leave checklist for remaining items
- Updated dev agent to maintain File List for QA review focus
Knowledge Base Improvements:
- Add extensive brownfield development documentation and best practices
- Clarify Web UI vs IDE usage with cost optimization strategies
- Document PRD-first approach for large codebases/monorepos
- Add comprehensive expansion packs explanation
- Update IDE workflow to include QA review step
- Clarify agent usage (bmad-master vs specialized agents)
Brownfield Enhancements:
- Create comprehensive Working in the Brownfield guide
- Add document-project task to analyst agent capabilities
- Implement PRD-first workflow option for focused documentation
- Transform document-project to create practical brownfield architecture docs
- Document technical debt, workarounds, and real-world constraints
- Reference actual files instead of duplicating content
- Add impact analysis when PRD is provided
Documentation Task Improvements:
- Simplify to always create ONE unified architecture document
- Add deep codebase analysis phase with targeted questions
- Focus on documenting reality including technical debt
- Include Quick Reference section with key file paths
- Add practical sections: useful commands, debugging tips, known issues
Workflow Updates:
- Update all 6 workflow files with detailed IDE transition instructions
- Add clear SM → Dev → QA → Dev cycle explanation
- Emphasize Gemini Web for brownfield analysis (1M+ context advantage)
- Support both PRD-first and document-first approaches
This release significantly improves the brownfield development experience and introduces a powerful shift-left QA approach with senior developer mentoring.
Codechilla
google-labs-jules[bot]
semantic-release-bot
Brian Madison
Brian
Miguel Tomas
Davor Racic
hieu.sats