BMAD-METHOD/tools/cli/installers/lib/ide/templates/combined/claude-hotfix-interaction-style.md

name	description
BMAD Hotfix: interaction_style variable reference	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:

<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:

<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.