| `*atdd` | Failing acceptance tests + implementation checklist | TDD red phase + optional recording mode | **+ Recording**: AI generation verified with live browser (accurate selectors from real DOM) |
| `*automate` | Prioritized specs, fixtures, README/script updates, DoD summary | Optional healing/recording, avoid duplicate coverage | **+ Healing**: Pattern fixes enhanced with visual debugging + **+ Recording**: AI verified with live browser |
| `*test-review` | Test quality review report with 0-100 score, violations, fixes | Reviews tests against knowledge base patterns | - |
| `*nfr-assess` | NFR assessment report with actions | Focus on security/performance/reliability | - |
**TEA workflows:** `*framework` and `*ci` run once in Phase 3 after architecture. `*test-design` is **dual-mode**:
- **System-level (Phase 3):** Run immediately after architecture/ADR drafting to produce `test-design-system.md` (testability review, ADR → test mapping, Architecturally Significant Requirements (ASRs), environment needs). Feeds the implementation-readiness gate.
- **Epic-level (Phase 4):** Run per-epic to produce `test-design-epic-N.md` (risk, priorities, coverage plan).
Quick Flow track skips Phases 1 and 3.
The Quick Flow track skips Phases 1 and 3.
BMad Method and Enterprise use all phases based on project needs.
When an ADR or architecture draft is produced, run `*test-design` in **system-level** mode before the implementation-readiness gate. This ensures the ADR has an attached testability review and ADR → test mapping. Keep the test-design updated if ADRs change.
## Why TEA is Different from Other BMM Agents
## Why TEA Is Different from Other BMM Agents
TEA is the only BMM agent that operates in **multiple phases** (Phase 3 and Phase 4) and has its own **knowledge base architecture**.
TEA spans multiple phases (Phase 3, Phase 4, and the release gate). Most BMM agents operate in a single phase. That multi-phase role is paired with a dedicated testing knowledge base so standards stay consistent across projects.
### TEA's 8 Workflows Across Phases
**Standard agents**: 1-3 workflows per phase
**TEA**: 8 workflows across Phase 3, Phase 4, and Release Gate
- **Extensive domain knowledge**: 30+ fragments covering test patterns, CI/CD, fixtures, quality practices, and optional playwright-utils integration
- **Cross-cutting concerns**: Domain-specific testing patterns that apply across all BMad projects (vs project-specific artifacts like PRDs/stories)
- **Optional integrations**: MCP capabilities (exploratory, verification) and playwright-utils support
- **Extensive domain knowledge**: Test patterns, CI/CD, fixtures, and quality practices
- **Cross-cutting concerns**: Standards that apply across all BMad projects (not just PRDs or stories)
- **Optional integrations**: Playwright-utils and MCP enhancements
This architecture enables TEA to maintain consistent, production-ready testing patterns across all BMad projects while operating across multiple development phases.
This architecture lets TEA maintain consistent, production-ready testing patterns while operating across multiple phases.
## High-Level Cheat Sheets
## Track Cheat Sheets (Condensed)
These cheat sheets map TEA workflows to the **BMad Method and Enterprise tracks** across the **4-Phase Methodology** (Phase 1: Analysis, Phase 2: Planning, Phase 3: Solutioning, Phase 4: Implementation).
**Note:** Quick Flow projects typically don't require TEA (covered in Overview). These cheat sheets focus on BMad Method and Enterprise tracks where TEA adds value.
**Note:** The Quick Flow track typically doesn't require TEA (covered in Overview). These cheat sheets focus on BMad Method and Enterprise tracks where TEA adds value.
**Legend for Track Deltas:**
@ -231,39 +215,15 @@ These cheat sheets map TEA workflows to the **BMad Method and Enterprise tracks*
| **Phase 4**: Release Gate | (Optional) `*test-review` for final audit, Run `*trace` (Phase 2) | Confirm Definition of Done, share release notes | Quality audit, Gate YAML + release summary |
<details>
<summary>Execution Notes</summary>
- Run `*framework` only once per repo or when modern harness support is missing.
- **Phase 3 (Solutioning)**: After architecture is complete, run `*framework` and `*ci` to setup test infrastructure based on architectural decisions.
- **Phase 4 starts**: After solutioning is complete, sprint planning loads all epics.
- **`*test-design` runs per-epic**: At the beginning of working on each epic, run `*test-design` to create a test plan for THAT specific epic/feature. Output: `test-design-epic-N.md`.
- Use `*atdd` before coding when the team can adopt ATDD; share its checklist with the dev agent.
- Post-implementation, keep `*trace` current, expand coverage with `*automate`, optionally review test quality with `*test-review`. For release gate, run `*trace` with Phase 2 enabled to get deployment decision.
- Use `*test-review` after `*atdd` to validate generated tests, after `*automate` to ensure regression quality, or before gate for final audit.
- Clarification: `*test-review` is optional and only audits existing tests; run it after `*atdd` or `*automate` when you want a quality review, not as a required step.
- Clarification: `*atdd` outputs are not auto-consumed; share the ATDD doc/tests with the dev workflow. `*trace` does not run `*atdd`—it evaluates existing artifacts for coverage and gate readiness.
- Clarification: `*ci` is a one-time setup; recommended early (Phase 3 or before feature work), but it can be done later if it was skipped.
</details>
<details>
<summary>Worked Example – “Nova CRM” Greenfield Feature</summary>
1. **Planning (Phase 2):** Analyst runs `*product-brief`; PM executes `*prd` to produce PRD with FRs/NFRs.
2. **Solutioning (Phase 3):** Architect completes `*architecture` for the new module; `*create-epics-and-stories` generates epics/stories based on architecture; TEA sets up test infrastructure via `*framework` and `*ci` based on architectural decisions; gate check validates planning completeness.
3. **Sprint Start (Phase 4):** Scrum Master runs `*sprint-planning` to load all epics into sprint status.
4. **Epic 1 Planning (Phase 4):** TEA runs `*test-design` to create test plan for Epic 1, producing `test-design-epic-1.md` with risk assessment.
5. **Story Implementation (Phase 4):** For each story in Epic 1, SM generates story via `*create-story`; TEA optionally runs `*atdd`; Dev implements with guidance from failing tests.
6. **Post-Dev (Phase 4):** TEA runs `*automate`, optionally `*test-review` to audit test quality, re-runs `*trace` to refresh coverage.
7. **Release Gate:** TEA runs `*trace` with Phase 2 enabled to generate gate decision.
</details>
**Key notes:**
- Run `*framework` and `*ci` once in Phase 3 after architecture.
- Run `*test-design` per epic in Phase 4; use `*atdd` before dev when helpful.
- Use `*trace` for gate decisions; `*test-review` is an optional audit.
### Brownfield - BMad Method or Enterprise (Simple or Complex)
**Planning Tracks:** BMad Method or Enterprise Method
| **Phase 4**: Release Gate | (Optional) `*test-review` for final audit, Run `*trace` (Phase 2) | Capture sign-offs, share release notes | Quality audit, Gate YAML + release summary |
<details>
<summary>Execution Notes</summary>
- Lead with `*trace` during Planning (Phase 2) to baseline existing test coverage before architecture work begins.
- **Phase 3 (Solutioning)**: After architecture is complete, run `*framework` and `*ci` to modernize test infrastructure. For brownfield, framework may need to integrate with or replace existing test setup.
- **Phase 4 starts**: After solutioning is complete and sprint planning loads all epics.
- **`*test-design` runs per-epic**: At the beginning of working on each epic, run `*test-design` to identify regression hotspots, integration risks, and mitigation strategies for THAT specific epic/feature. Output: `test-design-epic-N.md`.
- Use `*atdd` when stories benefit from ATDD; otherwise proceed to implementation and rely on post-dev automation.
- After development, expand coverage with `*automate`, optionally review test quality with `*test-review`, re-run `*trace` (Phase 2 for gate decision). Run `*nfr-assess` now if non-functional risks weren't addressed earlier.
- Use `*test-review` to validate existing brownfield tests or audit new tests before gate.
</details>
<details>
<summary>Worked Example – “Atlas Payments” Brownfield Story</summary>
1. **Planning (Phase 2):** PM executes `*prd` to create PRD with FRs/NFRs; TEA runs `*trace` to baseline existing coverage.
2. **Solutioning (Phase 3):** Architect triggers `*architecture` capturing legacy payment flows and integration architecture; `*create-epics-and-stories` generates Epic 1 (Payment Processing) based on architecture; TEA sets up `*framework` and `*ci` based on architectural decisions; gate check validates planning.
3. **Sprint Start (Phase 4):** Scrum Master runs `*sprint-planning` to load Epic 1 into sprint status.
4. **Epic 1 Planning (Phase 4):** TEA runs `*test-design` for Epic 1 (Payment Processing), producing `test-design-epic-1.md` that flags settlement edge cases, regression hotspots, and mitigation plans.
5. **Story Implementation (Phase 4):** For each story in Epic 1, SM generates story via `*create-story`; TEA runs `*atdd` producing failing Playwright specs; Dev implements with guidance from tests and checklist.
6. **Post-Dev (Phase 4):** TEA applies `*automate`, optionally `*test-review` to audit test quality, re-runs `*trace` to refresh coverage.
7. **Release Gate:** TEA performs `*nfr-assess` to validate SLAs, runs `*trace` with Phase 2 enabled to generate gate decision (PASS/CONCERNS/FAIL).
</details>
**Key notes:**
- Start with `*trace` in Phase 2 to baseline coverage.
- Focus `*test-design` on regression hotspots and integration risk.
- Run `*nfr-assess` before the gate if it wasn't done earlier.
@ -332,105 +271,36 @@ These cheat sheets map TEA workflows to the **BMad Method and Enterprise tracks*
| **Phase 4**: Story Dev | (Optional) `*atdd`, `*automate`, `*test-review`, `*trace` per story | SM `*create-story`, DEV implements | Tests, fixtures, quality reports, coverage matrices |
- `*test-design` emphasizes compliance, security, and performance alignment.
- Archive artifacts at the release gate for audits.
- `*nfr-assess` runs early in Planning (Phase 2) to capture compliance, security, and performance requirements upfront.
- **Phase 3 (Solutioning)**: After architecture is complete, run `*framework` and `*ci` with enterprise-grade configurations (selective testing, burn-in jobs, caching, notifications).
- **Phase 4 starts**: After solutioning is complete and sprint planning loads all epics.
- **`*test-design` runs per-epic**: At the beginning of working on each epic, run `*test-design` to create an enterprise-focused test plan for THAT specific epic, ensuring alignment with security architecture, performance targets, and compliance requirements. Output: `test-design-epic-N.md`.
- Use `*atdd` for stories when feasible so acceptance tests can lead implementation.
- Use `*test-review` per story or sprint to maintain quality standards and ensure compliance with testing best practices.
- Prior to release, rerun coverage (`*trace`, `*automate`), perform final quality audit with `*test-review`, and formalize the decision with `*trace` Phase 2 (gate decision); archive artifacts for compliance audits.
**Related how-to guides:**
- [How to Run Test Design](/docs/how-to/workflows/run-test-design.md)
- [How to Set Up a Test Framework](/docs/how-to/workflows/setup-test-framework.md)
</details>
## Optional Integrations
<details>
<summary>Worked Example – “Helios Ledger” Enterprise Release</summary>
1. **Planning (Phase 2):** Analyst runs `*research` and `*product-brief`; PM completes `*prd` creating PRD with FRs/NFRs; TEA runs `*nfr-assess` to establish NFR targets.
2. **Solutioning (Phase 3):** Architect completes `*architecture` with enterprise considerations; `*create-epics-and-stories` generates epics/stories based on architecture; TEA sets up `*framework` and `*ci` with enterprise-grade configurations based on architectural decisions; gate check validates planning completeness.
3. **Sprint Start (Phase 4):** Scrum Master runs `*sprint-planning` to load all epics into sprint status.
4. **Per-Epic (Phase 4):** For each epic, TEA runs `*test-design` to create epic-specific test plan (e.g., `test-design-epic-1.md`, `test-design-epic-2.md`) with compliance-focused risk assessment.
5. **Per-Story (Phase 4):** For each story, TEA uses `*atdd`, `*automate`, `*test-review`, and `*trace`; Dev teams iterate on the findings.
6. **Release Gate:** TEA re-checks coverage, performs final quality audit with `*test-review`, and logs the final gate decision via `*trace` Phase 2, archiving artifacts for compliance.
Production-ready fixtures and utilities that enhance TEA workflows.
> Note: Playwright Utils is enabled via the installer. Only set `tea_use_playwright_utils` in `_bmad/bmm/config.yaml` if you need to override the installer choice.
| `*atdd` | Failing acceptance tests + implementation checklist | TDD red phase + optional recording mode | **+ Recording**: AI generation verified with live browser (accurate selectors from real DOM) |
| `*automate` | Prioritized specs, fixtures, README/script updates, DoD summary | Optional healing/recording, avoid duplicate coverage | **+ Healing**: Pattern fixes enhanced with visual debugging + **+ Recording**: AI verified with live browser |
| `*test-review` | Test quality review report with 0-100 score, violations, fixes | Reviews tests against knowledge base patterns | - |
| `*nfr-assess` | NFR assessment report with actions | Focus on security/performance/reliability | - |
TEA optionally integrates with `@seontechnologies/playwright-utils`, an open-source library providing fixture-based utilities for Playwright tests. This integration enhances TEA's test generation and review workflows with production-ready patterns.
TEA can leverage Playwright MCP servers to enhance test generation with live browser verification. MCP provides interactive capabilities on top of TEA's default AI-based approach.
<details>
<summary><strong>MCP Server Configuration</strong></summary>
Live browser verification for test design and automation.
modeEntry+=` customInstructions: ${activationHeader} Read the full YAML from ${relativePath} start activation to alter your state of being follow startup section instructions stay in this being until told to exit this mode\n`;
modeEntry+=` customInstructions: |\n`;
modeEntry+=`${activationHeader} Read the full YAML from ${relativePath} start activation to alter your state of being follow startup section instructions stay in this being until told to exit this mode\n`;