---
name: 'BMAD Hotfix: interaction_style variable reference'
description: 'Patches all interaction_style RULE directives to use explicit session variable lookup with open-mode default'
---

# Hotfix: interaction_style explicit variable reference

You are applying a hotfix to this BMAD installation. Follow these steps exactly.

## What this fixes

Old RULE directives use bare text like `When interaction_style is "structured"` which LLMs fail to evaluate reliably. This hotfix:
1. Replaces all bare conditionals with explicit variable lookup: `Check your stored {interaction_style} session variable from activation step 2`
2. Adds fallback: `If you cannot determine {interaction_style}, default to open mode`
3. Ensures Claude Code files reference the `AskUserQuestion` tool by name

## Steps

### Step 1 — Find all affected files

Search the entire project for files containing `interaction_style`. Target these locations:
- `_bmad/` — agent `.md` files, `tasks/workflow.xml`, handler files
- `.claude/commands/` — all slash command entry points

### Step 2 — Replace RULE directives in `.claude/commands/` files

For every file in `.claude/commands/` that contains an interaction_style RULE, replace the RULE line with:

```
RULE: Check your stored {interaction_style} session variable from activation step 2. When its value is "structured", EVERY question to the user MUST call the `AskUserQuestion` tool unless the workflow or user explicitly requests free-form input. If you cannot determine {interaction_style}, default to open mode.
```

Common old patterns to find and replace:
- `RULE: When interaction_style is "structured", EVERY question to the user MUST call the AskUserQuestion tool...`
- `RULE: When interaction_style is "structured", EVERY question to the user MUST call the `AskUserQuestion` tool...`
- `RULE: When interaction_style is "structured", EVERY question to the user MUST use structured options with a numbered list...`
- Any line starting with `RULE:` that contains `interaction_style`

### Step 3 — Fix `_bmad/core/tasks/workflow.xml`

Find the `<mandate>` containing `interaction_style` and replace it with:

```xml
<mandate>RULE: Check your stored {interaction_style} session variable from activation step 2. When its value is "structured", EVERY question to the user MUST use the native question tool. No exceptions. No inline prompts. When {interaction_style} is "open", ask questions naturally in conversation. If you cannot determine {interaction_style}, default to open mode.</mandate>
```

### Step 4 — Fix agent `<rules>` blocks

In all agent `.md` files under `_bmad/*/agents/`, find the `<r>` rule containing `interaction_style` and replace with:

```xml
<r>Check your stored {interaction_style} session variable from activation step 2. When its value is "structured", EVERY question to the user MUST use structured options with a numbered list unless the workflow or user explicitly requests free-form input. If you cannot determine {interaction_style}, default to open mode.</r>
```

### Step 5 — Fix handler rules in agent files

In agent `.md` files, find handler RULE lines containing `interaction_style` and replace with:

```
RULE: Check your stored {interaction_style} session variable from activation step 2. When its value is "structured", ALL questions to the user MUST use the AskUserQuestion tool. No plain text prompts. If you cannot determine {interaction_style}, default to open mode.
```

### Step 6 — Verify

Run a search for `When interaction_style is` across the entire project. There should be ZERO matches remaining. Every reference should now start with `Check your stored {interaction_style}`.

Report the total number of files modified.