BMAD-METHOD/docs/how-to/install-bmad.md

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---
title: "How to Install BMad"
description: Step-by-step guide to installing BMad in your project
---
Use the `npx bmad-method install` command to set up BMad in your project with your choice of modules and AI tools.
## When to Use This
- Starting a new project with BMad
- Adding BMad to an existing codebase
- Update the existing BMad Installation
:::note[Prerequisites]
- **Node.js** 20+ (required for the installer)
- **Git** (recommended)
- **AI tool** (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or similar)
:::
## Steps
### 1. Run the Installer
```bash
npx bmad-method install
```
### 2. Choose Installation Location
The installer will ask where to install BMad files:
- Current directory (recommended for new projects if you created the directory yourself and ran from within the directory)
- Custom path
### 3. Select Your AI Tools
Pick which AI tools you use:
- Claude Code
- Cursor
- Windsurf
- Others
Each tool has its own way of integrating commands. The installer creates tiny prompt files to activate workflows and agents — it just puts them where your tool expects to find them.
### 4. Choose Modules
The installer shows available modules. Select whichever ones you need — most users just want **BMad Method** (the software development module).
### 5. Follow the Prompts
The installer guides you through the rest — custom content, settings, etc.
## What You Get
```
your-project/
├── _bmad/
│ ├── bmm/ # Your selected modules
│ │ └── config.yaml # Module settings (if you ever need to change them)
│ ├── core/ # Required core module
│ └── ...
├── _bmad-output/ # Generated artifacts
└── .claude/ # Claude Code commands (if using Claude Code)
```
## Verify Installation
Run the `help` workflow (`/bmad-help` on most platforms) to verify everything works and see what to do next.
**Latest from main branch:**
```bash
npx github:bmad-code-org/BMAD-METHOD install
```
Use these if you want the newest features before they're officially released. Things might break.
## Troubleshooting
**Installer throws an error** — Copy-paste the output into your AI assistant and let it figure it out.
**Installer worked but something doesn't work later** — Your AI needs BMad context to help. See [How to Get Answers About BMad](/docs/how-to/get-answers-about-bmad.md) for how to point your AI at the right sources.