_bmad/core/tasks/help.md

metadata

name: help
description: >-
  Get unstuck by showing what workflow steps come next or answering questions
  about what to do
standalone: true

Task: BMAD Help

KEY RULES

• Empty phase = anytime — Universal tools work regardless of workflow state
• Numbered phases indicate sequence — Phases like 1-discover → 2-define → 3-build → 4-ship flow in order (naming varies by module)
• Stay in module — Guide through the active module's workflow based on phase+sequence ordering
• Descriptions contain routing — Read for alternate paths (e.g., "back to previous if fixes needed")
• required=true blocks progress — Required workflows must complete before proceeding to later phases
• Artifacts reveal completion — Search resolved output paths for outputs patterns, fuzzy-match found files to workflow rows

MODULE DETECTION

• Empty module column → universal tools (work across all modules)
• Named module → module-specific workflows

Detect the active module from conversation context, recent workflows, or user query keywords. If ambiguous, ask the user.

INPUT ANALYSIS

Determine what was just completed:

• Did someone state they completed something? Proceed as if that was the input.
• Was a workflow just completed in this conversation? Proceed as if that was the input.
• Search resolved artifact locations for files; fuzzy-match to workflow outputs patterns.
• If an index.md exists, read it for additional context.
• If still unclear, ask: "What workflow did you most recently complete?"

EXECUTION

1. Load catalog — Load {project-root}/_bmad/_config/bmad-help.csv

2. Resolve output locations — Scan each folder under _bmad/ (except _config) for config.yaml. For each workflow row, resolve its output-location variables against that module's config so artifact paths can be searched.

3. Analyze input — Task may provide a workflow name/code, conversational phrase, or nothing. Infer what was just completed using INPUT ANALYSIS above.

4. Detect active module — Use MODULE DETECTION above to determine which module the user is working in.

5. Present recommendations — Show next steps based on completed workflows, phase/sequence ordering (KEY RULES), and artifact detection. Format per the following

RECOMMENDED OUTPUT FORMAT

Optional items first — List optional workflows until a required step is reached Required items next — List the next required workflow For each item show:

• Workflow name
• Command (prefixed with /, e.g., /bmad:example:build-prototype)
• Agent title and display name from the CSV (e.g., "🎨 Alex (Designer)")
• Brief description

Additional response output guidance to convey:

• Run each workflow in a fresh context window
• Load the agent using (/ + agent-command), or run the workflow command directly
• For validation workflows: recommend using a different high-quality LLM if available
• For conversational requests: match the user's tone while presenting clearly

6. Return to the calling process after presenting recommendations.