BMAD-METHOD/docs/_STYLE_GUIDE.md

title
Documentation Style Guide

Guidelines for consistent documentation across the BMad Method project.

Universal Formatting Rules

These rules apply to ALL document types. Violations fail review.

Rule	Rationale
No horizontal rules (---)	Fragment reading flow
No #### headers	Visual noise; use bold text or admonitions
No "Related" or "Next:" sections	Sidebar handles navigation
No deeply nested lists	Hard to parse; break into sections
No code blocks for non-code	Confusing semantics
No bold paragraphs for callouts	Use admonitions instead
1-2 admonitions per section max	Overuse creates noise
Table cells and long list items (5+) 1-2 sentences max	Walls of text; break into sections or link to details

Visual Hierarchy

Patterns to Use

Pattern	When to Use
Whitespace + section headers	Content separation
Bold text within paragraphs	Inline emphasis
Admonitions	Callouts requiring attention
Tables	Structured comparisons (3+ items)
Flat lists	Scannable options

Header Budget

• ## sections: 8-12 per document
• ### subsections: 2-3 per ## section max
• ####: Never use

The structure templates in this guide show content flow, not 1:1 header mapping. Admonitions and inline elements appear within sections, not as separate headers.

Header Naming

Context	Style	Example
Steps	Action verbs	"Install BMad", "Create Your Plan"
Reference	Nouns	"Common Questions", "Quick Reference"

Example: Before and After

Before (violations):

---

## Getting Started

### Step 1: Initialize

#### What happens during init?

**Important:** You need to describe your project.

1. Your project goals
   - What you want to build
   - Why you're building it
2. The complexity
   - Small, medium, or large

---

After (correct):

## Step 1: Initialize Your Project

Load the **Analyst agent** in your IDE, wait for the menu, then run `workflow-init`.

:::note[What Happens]
You'll describe your project goals and complexity. The workflow then recommends a planning track.
:::

Admonitions

Starlight admonition syntax:

:::tip[Title]
Shortcuts, best practices
:::

:::note[Title]
Context, definitions, examples, prerequisites
:::

:::caution[Title]
Caveats, potential issues
:::

:::danger[Title]
Critical warnings only — data loss, security issues
:::

Standard Uses

Admonition	Use For
:::note[Prerequisites]	Dependencies before starting
:::tip[Quick Path]	TL;DR summary at document top
:::caution[Important]	Critical caveats
:::note[Example]	Command/response examples

Rules

• Always include a title
• Keep content to 1-3 sentences (longer rarely needed)
• Never nest admonitions

Tables

Use tables for:

• Phase descriptions
• Agent roles
• Command references
• Option comparisons
• Multi-attribute sequences

Constraints

Constraint	Value
Columns	2-4 max
Cell content	Short
Text alignment	Left
Number alignment	Right

Standard Formats

Phases:

| Phase | Name | What Happens |
|-------|------|--------------|
| 1 | Analysis | Brainstorm, research *(optional)* |
| 2 | Planning | Requirements — PRD or tech-spec *(required)* |

Commands:

| Command | Agent | Purpose |
|---------|-------|---------|
| `*workflow-init` | Analyst | Initialize a new project |
| `*prd` | PM | Create Product Requirements Document |

Code Blocks

Correct — language-tagged command:

```bash
npx bmad-method install

**Incorrect** — untagged dialogue:
````md

You: Do something Agent: [Response here]

For dialogue examples, use admonitions:

:::note[Example]
Run `workflow-status` and the agent will tell you the next recommended workflow.
:::

Lists

Flat lists (preferred):

- **Option A** — Description
- **Option B** — Description
- **Option C** — Description

Numbered steps:

1. Load the **PM agent** in a new chat
2. Run the PRD workflow: `*prd`
3. Output: `PRD.md`

Assets

Element	Requirements
Links	Descriptive text (not "click here"), site-relative paths
Images	Alt text required, italic caption below, SVG preferred, store in ./images/

Folder Structure Blocks

Show in "What You've Accomplished" sections:

```
your-project/
├── _bmad/                         # BMad configuration
├── _bmad-output/
│   ├── PRD.md                     # Your requirements document
│   └── bmm-workflow-status.yaml   # Progress tracking
└── ...
```

Document Types

Select document type based on reader goal:

Reader Goal	Document Type
Learn a complete workflow	Tutorial
Complete a specific task	How-To
Understand a concept	Explanation
Look up information	Reference
Find term definitions	Glossary

Tutorial Structure

Tutorials teach complete workflows to new users. Length: 200-400 lines.

1. Title + Hook (1-2 sentences describing outcome)
2. Version/Module Notice (info or warning admonition) (optional)
3. What You'll Learn (bullet list of outcomes)
4. Prerequisites (info admonition)
5. Quick Path (tip admonition - TL;DR summary)
6. Understanding [Topic] (context before steps - tables for phases/agents)
7. Installation (optional)
8. Step 1: [First Major Task]
9. Step 2: [Second Major Task]
10. Step 3: [Third Major Task]
11. What You've Accomplished (summary + folder structure)
12. Quick Reference (commands table)
13. Common Questions (FAQ format)
14. Getting Help (community links)
15. Key Takeaways (tip admonition)

Tutorial Checklist

• Hook describes outcome in 1-2 sentences
• "What You'll Learn" section present
• Prerequisites in admonition
• Quick Path TL;DR admonition at top
• Tables for phases, commands, agents
• "What You've Accomplished" section present
• Quick Reference table present
• Common Questions section present
• Getting Help section present
• Key Takeaways admonition at end

How-To Structure

How-to guides complete specific tasks for users who know basics. Length: 50-150 lines (shorter than tutorials, assumes prior knowledge).

1. Title + Hook (one sentence: "Use the `X` workflow to...")
2. When to Use This (bullet list of scenarios)
3. When to Skip This (optional)
4. Prerequisites (note admonition)
5. Steps (numbered ### subsections)
6. What You Get (output/artifacts produced)
7. Example (optional)
8. Tips (optional)
9. Next Steps (optional)

How-To Visual Elements

Admonition	Use
:::note[Prerequisites]	Required dependencies, agents, prior steps
:::tip[Pro Tip]	Optional shortcuts
:::caution[Common Mistake]	Pitfalls to avoid
:::note[Example]	Brief inline usage

Guidelines:

• 1-2 admonitions max
• Prerequisites as admonition
• Multiple tips: use flat list instead of admonition
• Very simple how-tos: skip admonitions entirely

How-To Checklist

• Hook starts with "Use the X workflow to..."
• "When to Use This" has 3-5 bullet points
• Prerequisites listed
• Steps are numbered ### subsections with action verbs
• "What You Get" describes output artifacts

Explanation Structure

Explanation documents answer "What is X?" and "Why does X matter?"

Types

Type	Purpose	Example
Index/Landing	Topic area overview with navigation	core-concepts/index.md
Concept	Define core concept	what-are-agents.md
Feature	Deep dive into capability	quick-flow.md
Philosophy	Design decisions and rationale	why-solutioning-matters.md
FAQ	Answer common questions	brownfield-faq.md

General Structure

1. Title + Hook (1-2 sentences)
2. Overview/Definition (what it is, why it matters)
3. Key Concepts (### subsections)
4. Comparison Table (optional)
5. When to Use / When Not to Use (optional)
6. Diagram (optional - mermaid)
7. Next Steps (optional)

Index/Landing Pages

1. Title + Hook (one sentence)
2. Content Table (links with descriptions)
3. Getting Started (numbered list)
4. Choose Your Path (optional - decision tree)

Concept Explainers

1. Title + Hook (what it is)
2. Types/Categories (### subsections) (optional)
3. Key Differences Table
4. Components/Parts
5. Which Should You Use?
6. Creating/Customizing (pointer to how-to guides)

Feature Explainers

1. Title + Hook (what it does)
2. Quick Facts (optional - "Perfect for:", "Time to:")
3. When to Use / When Not to Use
4. How It Works (mermaid diagram optional)
5. Key Benefits
6. Comparison Table (optional)
7. When to Graduate/Upgrade (optional)

Philosophy/Rationale Documents

1. Title + Hook (the principle)
2. The Problem
3. The Solution
4. Key Principles (### subsections)
5. Benefits
6. When This Applies

Visual Elements

Element	Use For
Comparison tables	Contrasting types, options, approaches
Mermaid diagrams	Process flows, decision trees (1 per doc max)
"Best for:" lists	Quick decision guidance
Code examples	Brief concept illustration

Explanation Checklist

• Hook states what document explains
• Content in scannable ## sections
• Comparison tables for 3+ options
• Diagrams have clear labels
• Links to how-to guides for procedural questions
• 2-3 admonitions max per document (1-2 per section)

Reference Structure

Reference documents answer "What are the options?" and "What does X do?" for users who know what they need.

Types

Type	Purpose	Example
Index/Landing	Navigation to reference content	workflows/index.md
Catalog	Quick-reference item list	agents/index.md
Deep-Dive	Detailed single-item reference	document-project.md
Configuration	Settings and config docs	core-tasks.md
Glossary	Term definitions	glossary/index.md
Comprehensive	Extensive multi-item reference	bmgd-workflows.md

Reference Index Pages

1. Title + Hook (one sentence)
2. Content Sections (## for each category)
   - Bullet list with links and descriptions

Catalog Reference

1. Title + Hook
2. Items (## for each item)
   - Brief description (one sentence)
   - **Commands:** or **Key Info:** as flat list
3. Universal/Shared (## section) (optional)

Guidelines:

• Use ## for items, not ###
• Keep descriptions to 1 sentence

Item Deep-Dive Reference

1. Title + Hook (one sentence purpose)
2. Quick Facts (optional note admonition)
   - Module, Command, Input, Output as list
3. Purpose/Overview (## section)
4. How to Invoke (code block)
5. Key Sections (## for each aspect)
   - Use ### for sub-options
6. Notes/Caveats (tip or caution admonition)

Configuration Reference

1. Title + Hook
2. Table of Contents (jump links if 4+ items)
3. Items (## for each config/task)
   - **Bold summary** — one sentence
   - **Use it when:** bullet list
   - **How it works:** numbered steps (3-5 max)
   - **Output:** expected result (optional)

Comprehensive Reference Guide

1. Title + Hook
2. Overview (## section)
   - Diagram or table showing organization
3. Major Sections (## for each phase/category)
   - Items (### for each item)
   - Standardized fields: Command, Agent, Input, Output, Description
4. Next Steps (optional)

Guidelines:

• Standardize fields across all items
• Tables for comparing multiple items
• 1 diagram max per document

Reference Checklist

• Hook states what document references
• Structure matches reference type
• Items use consistent structure throughout
• Tables for structured/comparative data
• Links to explanation docs for conceptual depth
• 1-2 admonitions max

Glossary Structure

Glossaries provide compact, scannable term definitions.

Layout Strategy

Starlight generates right-side "On this page" navigation from headers:

• Categories as ## headers — appear in right nav
• Terms in tables — compact rows, not individual headers
• No inline TOC — right sidebar handles navigation

Table Format

## Category Name

| Term | Definition |
|------|------------|
| **Agent** | Specialized AI persona with specific expertise that guides users through workflows. |
| **Workflow** | Multi-step guided process that orchestrates AI agent activities to produce deliverables. |

Definition Rules

Do	Don't
Start with what it IS or DOES	Start with "This is..." or "A [term] is..."
Keep to 1-2 sentences	Write multi-paragraph explanations
Bold term name in cell	Use plain text for terms
Link to docs for deep dives	Explain full concepts inline

Context Markers

Add italic context at definition start for limited-scope terms:

| **Tech-Spec** | *Quick Flow only.* Comprehensive technical plan for small changes. |
| **PRD** | *BMad Method/Enterprise.* Product-level planning document with vision and goals. |

Standard markers:

• *Quick Flow only.*
• *BMad Method/Enterprise.*
• *Phase N.*
• *BMGD.*
• *Brownfield.*

Cross-References

Reference category anchor (terms are not headers):

| **Tech-Spec** | *Quick Flow only.* Technical plan for small changes. See [PRD](#planning-documents). |

Organization

• Alphabetize terms within each category table
• Alphabetize categories or order by logical progression
• No catch-all sections

Glossary Checklist

• Terms in tables, not individual headers
• Terms alphabetized within categories
• No inline TOC
• Definitions 1-2 sentences
• Context markers italicized
• Term names bolded in cells
• No "A [term] is..." definitions

FAQ Sections

Structure:

## Questions

- [Do I always need architecture?](#do-i-always-need-architecture)
- [Can I change my plan later?](#can-i-change-my-plan-later)

### Do I always need architecture?

Only for BMad Method and Enterprise tracks. Quick Flow skips to implementation.

### Can I change my plan later?

Yes. The SM agent has a `correct-course` workflow for handling scope changes.

**Have a question not answered here?** [Open an issue](...) or ask in [Discord](...).

Rules:

• TOC with jump links under ## Questions
• ### headers for questions (no Q: prefix)
• Direct answers (no **A:** prefix)
• End with CTA for unanswered questions

Validation Steps

Before submitting documentation changes, run from repo root:

1. Fix link format — Convert relative links to site-relative paths:

   npm run docs:fix-links            # Preview
   npm run docs:fix-links -- --write # Apply
   

2. Validate links — Check links point to existing files:

   npm run docs:validate-links            # Preview
   npm run docs:validate-links -- --write # Auto-fix
   

3. Build the site — Verify no build errors:

   npm run docs:build