# [4.20.0](https://github.com/bmadcode/BMAD-METHOD/compare/v4.19.2...v4.20.0) (2025-06-29)
### Features
* Massive documentation refactor, added explanation of the new expanded role of the QA agent that will make your code quality MUCH better. 2 new diagram clearly explain the role of the pre dev ideation cycle (prd and architecture) and the details of how the dev cycle works. ([c881dcc](c881dcc48f))
* chore: Update brownfield-fullstack.yml
- Update descriptions, status messages, and artifact names in brownfield-fullstack
* chore: Update brownfield-service.yml
- Update descriptions, status messages, and artifact names in brownfield-service
* chore: Update brownfield-ui.yml
- Update descriptions, status messages, and artifact names in brownfield-ui workflows
This release introduces significant enhancements across multiple areas:
QA Agent Transformation:
- Transform QA agent into senior developer role with active code refactoring abilities
- Add review-story task enabling QA to review, refactor, and improve code directly
- Integrate QA review step into standard development workflow (SM → Dev → QA)
- QA can fix small issues directly and leave checklist for remaining items
- Updated dev agent to maintain File List for QA review focus
Knowledge Base Improvements:
- Add extensive brownfield development documentation and best practices
- Clarify Web UI vs IDE usage with cost optimization strategies
- Document PRD-first approach for large codebases/monorepos
- Add comprehensive expansion packs explanation
- Update IDE workflow to include QA review step
- Clarify agent usage (bmad-master vs specialized agents)
Brownfield Enhancements:
- Create comprehensive Working in the Brownfield guide
- Add document-project task to analyst agent capabilities
- Implement PRD-first workflow option for focused documentation
- Transform document-project to create practical brownfield architecture docs
- Document technical debt, workarounds, and real-world constraints
- Reference actual files instead of duplicating content
- Add impact analysis when PRD is provided
Documentation Task Improvements:
- Simplify to always create ONE unified architecture document
- Add deep codebase analysis phase with targeted questions
- Focus on documenting reality including technical debt
- Include Quick Reference section with key file paths
- Add practical sections: useful commands, debugging tips, known issues
Workflow Updates:
- Update all 6 workflow files with detailed IDE transition instructions
- Add clear SM → Dev → QA → Dev cycle explanation
- Emphasize Gemini Web for brownfield analysis (1M+ context advantage)
- Support both PRD-first and document-first approaches
This release significantly improves the brownfield development experience and introduces a powerful shift-left QA approach with senior developer mentoring.
Issue Being Solved:
Dev agent was marking tasks as complete even when tests/lint/typecheck failed,
causing broken code to reach merge and creating technical debt.
Gap in System:
Missing explicit quality gates in dev agent configuration to block task completion
until all automated validations pass.
Solution:
- Add "Quality Gate Discipline" core principle
- Update task execution flow: Execute validations→Only if ALL pass→Update [x]
- Add "Failing validations" to blocking conditions
- Simplify completion criteria to focus on validation success
Alignment with BMAD Core Principles:
- Quality-First: Prevents defective code progression through workflow
- Agent Excellence: Ensures dev agent maintains high standards
- Technology Agnostic: Uses generic "validations" concept vs specific tools
Small, focused change that strengthens existing dev agent without architectural changes.
🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.ai/code)
Co-authored-by: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
