BMAD-METHOD/src/core/skills/bmad-init/SKILL.md

name	description	argument-hint
bmad-init	Initialize BMad project configuration and load config variables. Use when any skill needs module-specific configuration values, or when setting up a new BMad project.	[--module=module_code] [--vars=var1:default1,var2] [--skill-path=/path/to/calling/skill]

Overview

This skill is the configuration entry point for all BMad skills. It has two modes:

• Fast path: Config exists for the requested module — returns vars as JSON. Done.
• Init path: Config is missing — walks the user through configuration, writes config files, then returns vars.

Every BMad skill should call this on activation to get its config vars. The caller never needs to know whether init happened — they just get their config back.

The script bmad_init.py is located in this skill's scripts/ directory. Locate and run it using python for all commands below.

On Activation — Fast Path

Run the bmad_init.py script with the load subcommand. Pass --project-root set to the project root directory.

• If a module code was provided by the calling skill, include --module {module_code}
• To load all vars, include --all
• To request specific variables with defaults, use --vars var1:default1,var2
• If no module was specified, omit --module to get core vars only

If the script returns JSON vars — store them as {var-name} and return to the calling skill. Done.

If the script returns an error or init_required — proceed to the Init Path below.

Init Path — First-Time Setup

When the fast path fails (config missing for a module), run this init flow.

Step 1: Check what needs setup

Run bmad_init.py with the check subcommand, passing --module {module_code}, --skill-path {calling_skill_path}, and --project-root.

The response tells you what's needed:

• "status": "ready" — Config is fine. Re-run load.
• "status": "no_project" — Can't find project root. Ask user to confirm the project path.
• "status": "core_missing" — Core config doesn't exist. Must ask core questions first.
• "status": "module_missing" — Core exists but module config doesn't. Ask module questions.

The response includes:

• core_module — Core module.yaml questions (when core setup needed)
• target_module — Target module.yaml questions (when module setup needed, discovered from --skill-path or _bmad/{module}/)
• core_vars — Existing core config values (when core exists but module doesn't)

Step 2: Ask core questions (if core_missing)

The check response includes core_module with header, subheader, and variable definitions.

1. Show the header and subheader to the user
2. For each variable, present the prompt and default
3. For variables with single-select, show the options as a numbered list
4. For variables with multi-line prompt (array), show all lines
5. Let the user accept defaults or provide values

Step 3: Ask module questions (if module was requested)

The check response includes target_module with the module's questions. Variables may reference core answers in their defaults (e.g., {output_folder}).

1. Resolve defaults by running bmad_init.py with the resolve-defaults subcommand, passing --module {module_code}, --core-answers '{core_answers_json}', and --project-root
2. Show the module's header and subheader
3. For each variable, present the prompt with resolved default
4. For single-select variables, show options as a numbered list

Step 4: Write config

Collect all answers and run bmad_init.py with the write subcommand, passing --answers '{all_answers_json}' and --project-root.

The --answers JSON format:

{
  "core": {
    "user_name": "BMad",
    "communication_language": "English",
    "document_output_language": "English",
    "output_folder": "_bmad-output"
  },
  "bmb": {
    "bmad_builder_output_folder": "_bmad-output/skills",
    "bmad_builder_reports": "_bmad-output/reports"
  }
}

Note: Pass the raw user answers (before result template expansion). The script applies result templates and {project-root} expansion when writing.

The script:

• Creates _bmad/core/config.yaml with core values (if core answers provided)
• Creates _bmad/{module}/config.yaml with core values + module values (result-expanded)
• Creates any directories listed in the module.yaml directories array

Step 5: Return vars

After writing, re-run bmad_init.py with the load subcommand (same as the fast path) to return resolved vars. Store returned vars as {var-name} and return them to the calling skill.