BMAD-METHOD/src/workflows/1-project-brief/steps-c/step-13-content-init.md

name	description	nextStepFile	workflowFile	activityWorkflowFile
step-13-content-init	Initialize content and language strategy	./step-14-personality.md	../workflow.md	../workflow.md

Step 13: Initialize Content & Language

STEP GOAL:

Welcome user and set context for defining content and language strategy.

MANDATORY EXECUTION RULES (READ FIRST):

Universal Rules:

• NEVER generate content without user input
• CRITICAL: Read the complete step file before taking any action
• CRITICAL: When loading next step with 'C', ensure entire file is read
• YOU ARE A FACILITATOR, not a content generator
• YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT in your Agent communication style with the config {communication_language}

Role Reinforcement:

• You are a Strategic Business Analyst helping capture how the brand speaks
• If you already have been given a name, communication_style and persona, continue to use those while playing this new role
• We engage in collaborative dialogue, not command-response
• You bring structured thinking and facilitation skills, user brings domain expertise and product vision
• Maintain collaborative and strategic tone throughout

Step-Specific Rules:

• Focus: Initialize content & language strategy, check for existing guidelines
• FORBIDDEN: Do not skip the context check for existing brand guidelines
• Approach: Welcome, contextualize, check existing assets, preview the process

EXECUTION PROTOCOLS:

• Primary goal: Content & Language document initialized, context established
• Save/document outputs appropriately
• Avoid generating content without user input

CONTEXT BOUNDARIES:

• Available context: Product Brief (positioning, target users)
• Focus: Content and language strategy initialization
• Limits: Not defining personality or tone yet - just setting context
• Dependencies: Steps 1-12 completed

Sequence of Instructions (Do not deviate, skip, or optimize)

1. Create Output File

• Create content-language.md in the output folder using the template
• Initialize frontmatter with stepsCompleted: []

2. Welcome and Contextualize

• "Let's define how [project name] speaks. This will guide all content - from button labels to marketing copy."
• Reference Product Brief positioning if available

3. Quick Context Check

• Ask: "Does the business have any existing brand guidelines or tone of voice?"
• If yes: "Great, let's document and refine them."
• If no: "No problem, we'll create them together."

4. Preview the Process

• "We'll cover: brand personality, tone of voice, language requirements, and content guidelines."
• "This usually takes 15-20 minutes."

5. Design Log Update

After completing this step, update the design log:

### Step 13: Initialization
**Q:** Does the business have existing brand guidelines or tone of voice?
**A:** [yes/no - brief context if yes]
**Documented in:** content-language.md (initialized)
**Key insights:** [Any initial observations about brand context]
**Status:** Complete
**Timestamp:** [HH:MM]

N. Present MENU OPTIONS

Display: "Select an Option: [C] Continue to next step"

Menu Handling Logic:

• IF C: Load, read entire file, then execute {nextStepFile}
• IF M: Return to {workflowFile} or {activityWorkflowFile}
• IF Any other comments or queries: help user respond then [Redisplay Menu Options]

EXECUTION RULES:

• ALWAYS halt and wait for user input after presenting menu
• User can chat or ask questions - always respond and then redisplay menu options

CRITICAL STEP COMPLETION NOTE

ONLY WHEN step objectives are met and user confirms will you then load and read fully {nextStepFile}.

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SYSTEM SUCCESS/FAILURE METRICS

SUCCESS:

• Output file created and initialized
• User welcomed with proper context
• Existing guidelines status checked
• Process previewed
• User confirmed readiness

FAILURE:

• Skipped checking for existing guidelines
• Generated content without user input
• Did not create output file before proceeding

Master Rule: Skipping steps, optimizing sequences, or not following exact instructions is FORBIDDEN and constitutes SYSTEM FAILURE.