# BMAD Method Guide for Claude Code

This guide walks you through the complete BMAD workflow using Claude Code as your AI-powered IDE.

## Step 1: Install BMAD in Your Project

1. Navigate to your project directory
2. Run the BMAD installer:

   ```bash
   npx bmad-method install
   ```

3. When prompted:
   - **Installation Type**: Choose "Complete installation (recommended)"
   - **IDE**: Select "Claude Code"

This creates a `.bmad-core` folder with all agents and a `.claude/commands` folder with agent commands.

## Step 2: Set Up Team Fullstack in Gemini

For ideation and planning, use Google's Gemini Custom Gem with the team-fullstack configuration:

1. Open [Google gems](https://gemini.google.com/gems/view)
2. Create a new Gem - give it a title and description
3. Copy the contents of `.<install location>/<web-bundles>/teams/team-fullstack.txt` (location can vary if you chose a non default installation location for the bundles) - or just use the bundle premade from the repo dist folder.
4. Paste this content into Gemini to set up the team

### Gemini Planning Phase

In Gemini, ask the BMAD team to help you:

- **Ideate** your project concept
- **Brainstorm** features and requirements
- **Create a PRD** (Product Requirements Document)
- **Design the architecture**

Ask questions like:

- "Help me brainstorm a [type of application] that does [core functionality]"
- "Create a comprehensive PRD for this concept"
- "Design the technical architecture for this system"

Copy the PRD and architecture documents that Gemini creates into your project's `docs/` folder:

- `docs/prd.md`
- `docs/architecture.md`

## Step 3: Back to Claude Code - Document Sharding

Once you have your PRD and architecture documents in the `docs/` folder:

1. **Start a new chat in Claude Code**
2. **Load the bmad-master agent**: Type `/bmad-master`
3. **Shard the PRD**: Type `*shard-doc docs/prd.md prd`
4. **Shard the architecture**: Type `*shard-doc docs/architecture.md architecture`

This creates organized folders:

- `docs/prd/` - Contains broken down PRD sections
- `docs/architecture/` - Contains broken down architecture sections

## Step 4: Story Development Cycle

Now begin the iterative development cycle:

### Create Stories (Scrum Master)

1. **Start a new chat**
2. **Load SM agent**: Type `/sm`
3. **Create story**: Type `*create` (this runs the create-next-story task)
4. **Review the generated story**
5. **If approved**: Set story status to "Approved" in the story file

### Implement Stories (Developer)

1. **Start a new chat**
2. **Load Dev agent**: Type `/dev`
3. **The agent will ask which story to implement**
4. **Follow the development tasks** the agent provides
5. **When story is complete**: Mark status as "Done"

### Repeat the Cycle

1. **Start a new chat with SM agent** (`/sm`)
2. **Create next story**: Type `*create`
3. **Review and approve**
4. **Start new chat with Dev agent** (`/dev`)
5. **Implement the story**
6. **Repeat until project complete**

## Available Commands in Claude Code

All BMAD agents are available as Claude Code commands:

- `/bmad-master` - Universal task executor
- `/sm` - Scrum Master for story creation
- `/dev` - Full-stack developer for implementation
- `/architect` - Solution architect for design
- `/pm` - Product manager for planning
- `/analyst` - Business analyst for requirements
- `/qa` - QA specialist for testing
- `/po` - Product owner for prioritization
- `/ux-expert` - UX specialist for design

## Key Workflow Principles

1. **Always start new chats** when switching agents to avoid context confusion
2. **Use Gemini for initial planning** and ideation with the team-fullstack bundle
3. **Use bmad-master for document management** (sharding, templates, etc.)
4. **Follow the SM → Dev cycle** for consistent story development
5. **Review and approve stories** before implementation begins

## Tips for Success

- **Keep chats focused**: Each chat should have one agent and one primary task
- **Use \*help command**: Every agent supports `*help` to see available commands
- **Review generated content**: Always review and approve stories before marking them ready
- **Maintain status updates**: Keep story statuses current (Draft → Approved → InProgress → Done)

This workflow ensures systematic, AI-assisted development following agile principles with clear handoffs between planning, story creation, and implementation phases.