commands create custom entities with a . at the start of the file name keeping them gitignored by default.

.gitignore

@@ -18,3 +18,16 @@ Thumbs.db
 .env
 
 CLAUDE.md
+
+# User-created content (prefixed with .)
+# These allow users to create custom content without conflicts
+expansion-packs/.*
+agents/.*
+agent-teams/.*
+agent-team-workflows/.*
+bmad-core/personas/.*
+bmad-core/tasks/.*
+bmad-core/templates/.*
+bmad-core/checklists/.*
+bmad-core/data/.*
+bmad-core/ide-agents/.*

bmad-core/utils/create-agent.md

@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 This utility helps you create a new BMAD agent for web platforms (Gemini, ChatGPT, etc.).
 
+**Note for User-Created Agents**: If you're creating a custom agent for your own use (not part of the core BMAD system), prefix the agent ID with a period (e.g., `.data-analyst`) to ensure it's gitignored and won't conflict with repository updates.
+
 ## Process
 
 Follow these steps to create a new agent:
@@ -37,6 +39,7 @@ Determine what the agent can do:
 ### 4. Create the Persona File
 
 Create `/bmad-core/personas/{agent-id}.md` with this structure:
+(For user-created agents, use `/bmad-core/personas/.{agent-id}.md`)
 
 ```markdown
 # {Agent Name} - {Title}
@@ -75,6 +78,7 @@ Create `/bmad-core/personas/{agent-id}.md` with this structure:
 ### 5. Create the Agent Configuration
 
 Create `/agents/{agent-id}.yml` with this structure:
+(For user-created agents, use `/agents/.{agent-id}.yml`)
 
 ```yaml
 agent:
@@ -103,6 +107,7 @@ dependencies:
 ### 6. Create Any New Tasks
 
 If new tasks were identified, create them in `/bmad-core/tasks/{task-name}.md`
+(For user-created tasks, use `/bmad-core/tasks/.{task-name}.md`)
 
 ### 7. Test and Validate
 

bmad-core/utils/create-expansion-pack.md

@@ -73,9 +73,11 @@ For each checklist:
 
 #### 3.1 Create Directory Structure
 
+**IMPORTANT**: User-created expansion packs should start with a period (.) to ensure they are gitignored and don't conflict with repo updates.
+
 ```
 expansion-packs/
-└── {pack-name}/
+└── .{pack-name}/
     ├── manifest.yml
     ├── README.md
     ├── agents/
@@ -104,14 +106,20 @@ description: >-
 author: {Your name or organization}
 bmad_version: "4.0.0"
 
-# Files to install
+# Files to install (with . prefix for gitignore)
 files:
   - source: agents/{agent-id}.yml
-    destination: agents/{agent-id}.yml
+    destination: agents/.{agent-id}.yml
   - source: personas/{agent-id}.md
-    destination: bmad-core/personas/{agent-id}.md
+    destination: bmad-core/personas/.{agent-id}.md
   - source: tasks/{task-name}.md
-    destination: bmad-core/tasks/{task-name}.md
+    destination: bmad-core/tasks/.{task-name}.md
+  - source: templates/{template-name}.md
+    destination: bmad-core/templates/.{template-name}.md
+  - source: checklists/{checklist-name}.md
+    destination: bmad-core/checklists/.{checklist-name}.md
+  - source: ide-agents/{agent-id}.ide.md
+    destination: bmad-core/ide-agents/.{agent-id}.ide.md
   # ... more files
 
 # Optional: Update existing teams
@@ -176,15 +184,15 @@ Include:
 
 #### 5.2 Test Installation
 
-1. Run `node tools/install-expansion-pack.js {pack-name}`
+1. Run `node tools/install-expansion-pack.js .{pack-name}`
-2. Verify all files copied correctly
+2. Verify all files copied correctly (should have . prefix)
 3. Build agents to test configurations
 4. Run sample scenarios
 
 ## Example: Healthcare Expansion Pack
 
 ```
-healthcare/
+.healthcare/
 ├── manifest.yml
 ├── README.md
 ├── agents/

bmad-core/utils/create-ide-agent.md

@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 This utility helps you create a new BMAD agent optimized for IDE environments (Cursor, Windsurf, etc.).
 
+**Note for User-Created IDE Agents**: If you're creating a custom IDE agent for your own use (not part of the core BMAD system), prefix the agent ID with a period (e.g., `.api-expert`) to ensure it's gitignored and won't conflict with repository updates.
+
 ## Important Constraints
 
 IDE agents must be **compact and efficient** (target: under 2000 characters) to work well as slash commands.
@@ -36,6 +38,7 @@ Be selective - IDE agents should be specialized:
 ### 4. Create the Compact IDE Agent
 
 Create `/bmad-core/ide-agents/{agent-id}.ide.md` with this structure:
+(For user-created agents, use `/bmad-core/ide-agents/.{agent-id}.ide.md`)
 
 ```markdown
 # {Slash Command}

bmad-core/utils/create-team.md

@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ This utility helps you create a NEW BMAD team bundle by combining existing agent
 
 **Important**: This utility is for CREATING new teams, not for listing what agents are available in the current bundle. To see agents in the current bundle, use `/agent-list`.
 
+**Note for User-Created Teams**: If you're creating a custom team for your own use (not part of the core BMAD system), prefix the team ID with a period (e.g., `.team-frontend`) to ensure it's gitignored and won't conflict with repository updates.
+
 ## Process
 
 ### 1. Define Team Basics
@@ -57,6 +59,7 @@ Consider:
 ### 5. Create Team Configuration
 
 Create `/agent-teams/{team-id}.yml`:
+(For user-created teams, use `/agent-teams/.{team-id}.yml`)
 
 ```yaml
 bundle: