Agile Ai Driven Development — turn an idea or change request into working software without giving up the thinking.
Ai Driven Development (AiDD) covers the whole effort, not only the code: what to build, how it holds together, and how it changes as you learn. BMad Method is the agile way to do it — decisions stay explicit, context carries forward, and the process sizes itself to the work. Small changes go straight to build. Complex work gets the depth it needs. The same method covers a weekend prototype and a system with years of history behind it.
Start anywhere. Use BMad end to end, or carry its briefs, specifications, and architecture into your existing delivery workflow.
Start Building
BMad ships on two lines. The stable release is v6.12, installed by the npm installer and frozen aside from bug fixes. V7 is in preview alpha on this branch: its skills, install path, and docs change often. The v7 release ETA is mid-November 2026, and it might be sooner. Both routes need uv for BMad setup and Python scripts.
Stable: v6.12 (recommended if stability is needed until v7 is finalized for release)
With Node.js 20.12+ and Python 3.10+, run in your project:
npx bmad-method install
Open your project in your AI coding tool, invoke bmad-build with what you want to change, and run bmad-help whenever you want guidance on what comes next. The v6.12 source and documentation live on the V6.12 branch.
V7 Preview Alpha (recommended for solo or small teams that can pivot as things will change before beta)
Expect breaking changes between updates. You need an AI coding tool that supports skills.
With Node.js and npm and Git, run in your project to install core tools and BMad Method:
npx skills add bmad-code-org/BMAD-METHOD/skills/core-tools --skill '*'
npx skills add bmad-code-org/BMAD-METHOD/skills/method --skill '*'
Each command installs one module whole and asks which coding tools to install to. Core tools hold the bmad skill for setup and help, so every install needs them.
Optional modules install the same way:
| Module | What it adds | Install |
|---|
| Toolsmith | Smithy builds, converts, reviews and packages skills, agents and modules; bmad-eval measures them | npx skills add bmad-code-org/BMAD-METHOD/skills/toolsmith --skill '*' |
| Founder | Nadia the Founder Advisor coaches the business side of a startup, from idea and pricing to fundraising | npx skills add bmad-code-org/BMAD-METHOD/skills/founder |
To pick single skills instead, run npx skills add bmad-code-org/BMAD-METHOD and include bmad plus the record of each module you take skills from, such as bmod-core-tools and bmod-method.
Open your coding tool in the project and ask the bmad skill to run
bmad setup. Then invoke bmad-build with what you want to change. Ask
bmad whenever you want guidance on what comes next or what is optional.
Ask for bmad status to check versions and see what to run next. Ask for bmad setup to install updates: it runs npx skills update, then refreshes the project and cleans up renamed and removed skills.
Report preview problems in GitHub Issues or on Discord.
Next steps
Build your first project with BMad →
Add BMad to an existing codebase →
BMad is free and open source, with no paywalled workflows or gated community.
Why BMad?
Coding assistants are effective at implementation, but they often turn unstated assumptions into code. BMad keeps you in control while its agents and workflows make the important decisions explicit and preserve them as context for the work that follows.
- Right-sized process — Go directly to implementation for clear changes or add deeper planning for larger initiatives.
- New or existing code — Start from nothing, or establish verified context on a codebase you inherited and work from what is actually there.
- Durable context — Carry product and technical decisions forward instead of re-explaining them in every chat.
- Specialized perspectives — Bring in product, architecture, UX, development, and testing expertise when it helps.
- Guided collaboration — Use structured workflows and multiple-agent discussions without handing over judgment.
- One delivery path — Move from early thinking through reviewed implementation, correction, and learning.
See how much planning a change needs →
BMad Ecosystem
Install the core method or add official modules for specialized work.
This is the beginning of the README. Read the rest at the original. Read the full README ↗
