# BMAD Troubleshooting Guide This comprehensive guide helps users diagnose and resolve common issues encountered while using the BMAD system. ## Quick Diagnostic Checklist Before diving into specific issues, run through this quick checklist: - [ ] Verify BMAD configuration files are present and valid - [ ] Check network connectivity and API access - [ ] Confirm persona permissions and access rights - [ ] Validate template and checklist file integrity - [ ] Review recent system logs for error messages ## Common Issues and Solutions ### 1. Persona Loading Issues #### Symptom: Persona fails to load or respond **Possible Causes:** - Missing or corrupted persona configuration files - Insufficient permissions - Network connectivity issues - Invalid persona syntax **Solutions:** 1. **Verify Persona Files:** ```bash # Check if persona files exist ls -la bmad-agent/personas/ # Validate persona syntax bmad validate-persona --persona=po ``` 2. **Reset Persona Configuration:** ```bash # Backup current config cp bmad-config.yml bmad-config.yml.backup # Reset to default bmad reset-config --persona=po ``` 3. **Check Permissions:** ```bash # Verify file permissions chmod 644 bmad-agent/personas/*.md ``` ### 2. Template Generation Failures #### Symptom: Templates fail to generate or produce incorrect output **Possible Causes:** - Missing template variables - Corrupted template files - Invalid template syntax - Insufficient data context **Solutions:** 1. **Validate Template Syntax:** ```bash # Check template validity bmad validate-template --template=prd-tmpl.md ``` 2. **Debug Template Variables:** ```bash # List available variables bmad debug-template --template=prd-tmpl.md --show-vars ``` 3. **Regenerate Template:** ```bash # Force template regeneration bmad generate --template=prd-tmpl.md --force ``` ### 3. Checklist Validation Errors #### Symptom: Checklists fail validation or show incorrect status **Possible Causes:** - Outdated checklist definitions - Missing checklist dependencies - Incorrect task mapping - Data synchronization issues **Solutions:** 1. **Update Checklists:** ```bash # Refresh checklist definitions bmad update-checklists ``` 2. **Validate Checklist Mapping:** ```bash # Check task-to-checklist mapping bmad validate-mapping --checklist=po-master-checklist.md ``` 3. **Reset Checklist State:** ```bash # Clear checklist cache bmad clear-cache --type=checklists ``` ### 4. Integration Connection Issues #### Symptom: External system integrations fail or timeout **Possible Causes:** - Network connectivity problems - Authentication failures - API rate limiting - Service unavailability **Solutions:** 1. **Test Connectivity:** ```bash # Test API endpoints bmad test-connection --service=github bmad test-connection --service=jira ``` 2. **Refresh Authentication:** ```bash # Renew authentication tokens bmad auth-refresh --service=github ``` 3. **Check Rate Limits:** ```bash # Monitor API usage bmad status --api-usage ``` ### 5. Performance Issues #### Symptom: Slow response times or system lag **Possible Causes:** - Large knowledge base files - Inefficient queries - Memory constraints - Network latency **Solutions:** 1. **Optimize Knowledge Base:** ```bash # Rebuild search index bmad rebuild-index # Compress knowledge base bmad optimize-kb ``` 2. **Clear System Cache:** ```bash # Clear all caches bmad clear-cache --all ``` 3. **Monitor System Resources:** ```bash # Check system performance bmad system-status --detailed ``` ## Environment-Specific Issues ### IDE Environment Issues #### VS Code / Cursor Integration **Common Issues:** - Extension not loading - Configuration not recognized - Syntax highlighting missing **Solutions:** 1. Reinstall BMAD extension 2. Reload VS Code window 3. Check extension compatibility 4. Verify workspace settings #### Command Line Issues **Common Issues:** - Command not found - Permission denied - Path configuration errors **Solutions:** 1. Add BMAD to system PATH 2. Set proper file permissions 3. Verify installation directory 4. Check shell configuration ### Web Environment Issues #### Browser Compatibility **Common Issues:** - Features not working in specific browsers - JavaScript errors - CSS rendering problems **Solutions:** 1. Update to supported browser version 2. Clear browser cache and cookies 3. Disable conflicting extensions 4. Check JavaScript console for errors #### Authentication Problems **Common Issues:** - Login failures - Session timeouts - Permission errors **Solutions:** 1. Clear browser storage 2. Verify credentials 3. Check session configuration 4. Review user permissions ## Advanced Troubleshooting ### Log Analysis #### Accessing Logs ```bash # View recent logs bmad logs --tail=100 # Filter by severity bmad logs --level=error # Export logs for analysis bmad logs --export=bmad-logs.txt ``` #### Common Log Patterns **Error Patterns to Look For:** - `Authentication failed`: Check credentials and permissions - `Template not found`: Verify template file paths - `Network timeout`: Check connectivity and API status - `Validation failed`: Review input data and formats ### System Diagnostics #### Health Check ```bash # Run comprehensive system check bmad health-check --comprehensive # Check specific components bmad health-check --component=personas bmad health-check --component=templates bmad health-check --component=integrations ``` #### Performance Profiling ```bash # Profile system performance bmad profile --duration=60s # Analyze memory usage bmad profile --memory # Check disk usage bmad profile --disk ``` ### Recovery Procedures #### Configuration Recovery ```bash # Backup current configuration bmad backup-config --output=config-backup.tar.gz # Restore from backup bmad restore-config --input=config-backup.tar.gz # Reset to factory defaults bmad factory-reset --confirm ``` #### Data Recovery ```bash # Recover corrupted knowledge base bmad recover-kb --source=backup # Rebuild search indices bmad rebuild-indices --all # Validate data integrity bmad validate-data --comprehensive ``` ## Getting Help ### Self-Service Resources 1. **Documentation**: Check the comprehensive documentation at `/docs/` 2. **FAQ**: Review frequently asked questions 3. **Community Forums**: Search community discussions 4. **Video Tutorials**: Watch step-by-step guides ### Support Channels 1. **GitHub Issues**: Report bugs and feature requests 2. **Community Discord**: Get help from other users 3. **Email Support**: Contact support team directly 4. **Professional Services**: Engage for complex implementations ### Reporting Issues When reporting issues, include: 1. **System Information:** ```bash bmad system-info --export ``` 2. **Error Logs:** ```bash bmad logs --level=error --last=24h --export ``` 3. **Configuration Details:** ```bash bmad config-export --sanitized ``` 4. **Reproduction Steps:** - Detailed steps to reproduce the issue - Expected vs. actual behavior - Screenshots or recordings if applicable --- *Effective troubleshooting ensures smooth BMAD system operation and minimizes downtime.*