bmad-dev-story

name	bmad-dev-story
description	Execute story implementation following a context filled story spec file. Use when the user says "dev this story [story file]" or "implement the next story in the sprint plan"

Dev Story Workflow

Goal: Execute story implementation following a context filled story spec file.

Your Role: Developer implementing the story.

• Communicate all responses in {communication_language} and language MUST be tailored to {user_skill_level}
• Generate all documents in {document_output_language}
• Only modify the story file in these areas: YAML frontmatter baseline_commit, Tasks/Subtasks checkboxes, Dev Agent Record (Debug Log, Completion Notes), File List, Change Log, and Status
• Execute ALL steps in exact order; do NOT skip steps
• Absolutely DO NOT stop because of "milestones", "significant progress", or "session boundaries". Continue in a single execution until the story is COMPLETE (all ACs satisfied and all tasks/subtasks checked) UNLESS a HALT condition is triggered or the USER gives other instruction.
• Do NOT schedule a "next session" or request review pauses unless a HALT condition applies. Only Step 9 decides completion.
• User skill level ({user_skill_level}) affects conversation style ONLY, not code updates.

Conventions

• Bare paths (e.g. steps/step-01-init.md) resolve from the skill root.
• {skill-root} resolves to this skill's installed directory (where customize.toml lives).
• {project-root}-prefixed paths resolve from the project working directory.
• {skill-name} resolves to the skill directory's basename.

On Activation

Step 1: Resolve the Workflow Block

Run: python3 {project-root}/_bmad/scripts/resolve_customization.py --skill {skill-root} --key workflow

If the script fails, resolve the workflow block yourself by reading these three files in base → team → user order and applying the same structural merge rules as the resolver:

1. {skill-root}/customize.toml — defaults
2. {project-root}/_bmad/custom/{skill-name}.toml — team overrides
3. {project-root}/_bmad/custom/{skill-name}.user.toml — personal overrides

Any missing file is skipped. Scalars override, tables deep-merge, arrays of tables keyed by code or id replace matching entries and append new entries, and all other arrays append.

Step 2: Execute Prepend Steps

Execute each entry in {workflow.activation_steps_prepend} in order before proceeding.

Step 3: Load Persistent Facts

Treat every entry in {workflow.persistent_facts} as foundational context you carry for the rest of the workflow run. Entries prefixed file: are paths or globs under {project-root} — load the referenced contents as facts. All other entries are facts verbatim.

Step 4: Load Config

Load config from {project-root}/_bmad/bmm/config.yaml and resolve:

• project_name, user_name
• communication_language, document_output_language
• user_skill_level
• implementation_artifacts
• date as system-generated current datetime
• project_context = **/project-context.md (load if exists)

Step 5: Greet the User

Greet {user_name}, speaking in {communication_language}.

Step 6: Execute Append Steps

Execute each entry in {workflow.activation_steps_append} in order.

Activation is complete. If activation_steps_prepend or activation_steps_append were non-empty, confirm every entry was executed in order before proceeding. Do not begin the main workflow until all activation steps have been completed.

Paths

• story_file = `` (explicit story path; auto-discovered if empty)
• sprint_status = {implementation_artifacts}/sprint-status.yaml

Execution

Communicate all responses in {communication_language} and language MUST be tailored to {user_skill_level} Generate all documents in {document_output_language} Only modify the story file in these areas: YAML frontmatter `baseline_commit`, Tasks/Subtasks checkboxes, Dev Agent Record (Debug Log, Completion Notes), File List, Change Log, and Status Execute ALL steps in exact order; do NOT skip steps Absolutely DO NOT stop because of "milestones", "significant progress", or "session boundaries". Continue in a single execution until the story is COMPLETE (all ACs satisfied and all tasks/subtasks checked) UNLESS a HALT condition is triggered or the USER gives other instruction. Do NOT schedule a "next session" or request review pauses unless a HALT condition applies. Only Step 9 decides completion. User skill level ({user_skill_level}) affects conversation style ONLY, not code updates. These gates are BLOCKING. Do NOT proceed to Step 1 until every gate passes. Do NOT skip this step.

<action>The workflow customization was resolved during On Activation (Steps 1-6 above).
  If {workflow.activation_steps_append} contains entries, they MUST have been executed during Step 6.
  Verify now: were all activation_steps_append entries executed? If not, execute them NOW before continuing.</action>

<action>Regardless of customization, run the unit test pre-flight gate:
  Run `make test 2>&1` in the project root.
  If exit code is non-zero:
    Output: "Cannot start story development — unit tests are failing before any changes."
    HALT: "Unit tests must pass before starting story development."
  Otherwise output: "Unit test baseline established — all tests pass."</action>

<action>Output gate summary:
  GATE_RESULT: activation_steps = EXECUTED ({count} entries) or SKIPPED (none configured)
  GATE_RESULT: unit_test_baseline = PASS or FAIL
  If any FAIL: HALT immediately.</action>

Use {{story_path}} directly Read COMPLETE story file Extract story_key from filename or metadata

<!-- Sprint-based story discovery -->
<check if="{{sprint_status}} file exists">
  <critical>MUST read COMPLETE sprint-status.yaml file from start to end to preserve order</critical>
  <action>Load the FULL file: {{sprint_status}}</action>
  <action>Read ALL lines from beginning to end - do not skip any content</action>
  <action>Parse the development_status section completely to understand story order</action>

  <action>Find the FIRST story (by reading in order from top to bottom) where:
    - Key matches pattern: number-number-name (e.g., "1-2-user-auth")
    - NOT an epic key (epic-X) or retrospective (epic-X-retrospective)
    - Status value equals "ready-for-dev"
  </action>

  <check if="no ready-for-dev or in-progress story found">
    <output>📋 No ready-for-dev stories found in sprint-status.yaml

      **Current Sprint Status:** {{sprint_status_summary}}

      **What would you like to do?**
      1. Run `create-story` to create next story from epics with comprehensive context
      2. Run `*validate-create-story` to improve existing stories before development (recommended quality check)
      3. Specify a particular story file to develop (provide full path)
      4. Check {{sprint_status}} file to see current sprint status

      💡 **Tip:** Stories in `ready-for-dev` may not have been validated. Consider running `validate-create-story` first for a quality
      check.
    </output>
    <ask>Choose option [1], [2], [3], or [4], or specify story file path:</ask>

    <check if="user chooses '1'">
      <action>HALT - Run create-story to create next story</action>
    </check>

    <check if="user chooses '2'">
      <action>HALT - Run validate-create-story to improve existing stories</action>
    </check>

    <check if="user chooses '3'">
      <ask>Provide the story file path to develop:</ask>
      <action>Store user-provided story path as {{story_path}}</action>
      <goto anchor="task_check" />
    </check>

    <check if="user chooses '4'">
      <output>Loading {{sprint_status}} for detailed status review...</output>
      <action>Display detailed sprint status analysis</action>
      <action>HALT - User can review sprint status and provide story path</action>
    </check>

    <check if="user provides story file path">
      <action>Store user-provided story path as {{story_path}}</action>
      <goto anchor="task_check" />
    </check>
  </check>
</check>

<!-- Non-sprint story discovery -->
<check if="{{sprint_status}} file does NOT exist">
  <action>Search {implementation_artifacts} for stories directly</action>
  <action>Find stories with "ready-for-dev" status in files</action>
  <action>Look for story files matching pattern: *-*-*.md</action>
  <action>Read each candidate story file to check Status section</action>

  <check if="no ready-for-dev stories found in story files">
    <output>📋 No ready-for-dev stories found

      **Available Options:**
      1. Run `create-story` to create next story from epics with comprehensive context
      2. Run `*validate-create-story` to improve existing stories
      3. Specify which story to develop
    </output>
    <ask>What would you like to do? Choose option [1], [2], or [3]:</ask>

    <check if="user chooses '1'">
      <action>HALT - Run create-story to create next story</action>
    </check>

    <check if="user chooses '2'">
      <action>HALT - Run validate-create-story to improve existing stories</action>
    </check>

    <check if="user chooses '3'">
      <ask>It's unclear what story you want developed. Please provide the full path to the story file:</ask>
      <action>Store user-provided story path as {{story_path}}</action>
      <action>Continue with provided story file</action>
    </check>
  </check>

  <check if="ready-for-dev story found in files">
    <action>Use discovered story file and extract story_key</action>
  </check>
</check>

<action>Store the found story_key (e.g., "1-2-user-authentication") for later status updates</action>
<action>Find matching story file in {implementation_artifacts} using story_key pattern: {{story_key}}.md</action>
<action>Read COMPLETE story file from discovered path</action>

<anchor id="task_check" />

<action>Parse sections: Story, Acceptance Criteria, Tasks/Subtasks, Dev Notes, Dev Agent Record, File List, Change Log, Status</action>

<action>Load comprehensive context from story file's Dev Notes section</action>
<action>Extract developer guidance from Dev Notes: architecture requirements, previous learnings, technical specifications</action>
<action>Use enhanced story context to inform implementation decisions and approaches</action>

<action>Identify first incomplete task (unchecked [ ]) in Tasks/Subtasks</action>

<action if="no incomplete tasks">
  <goto step="9">Completion sequence</goto>
</action>
<action if="story file inaccessible">HALT: "Cannot develop story without access to story file"</action>
<action if="incomplete task or subtask requirements ambiguous">ASK user to clarify or HALT</action>

Load all available context to inform implementation

<action>Load {project_context} for coding standards and project-wide patterns (if exists)</action>
<action>Parse sections: Story, Acceptance Criteria, Tasks/Subtasks, Dev Notes, Dev Agent Record, File List, Change Log, Status</action>
<action>Load comprehensive context from story file's Dev Notes section</action>
<action>Extract developer guidance from Dev Notes: architecture requirements, previous learnings, technical specifications</action>
<action>Use enhanced story context to inform implementation decisions and approaches</action>
<output>✅ **Context Loaded**
  Story and project context available for implementation
</output>

Determine if this is a fresh start or continuation after code review

<action>Check if "Senior Developer Review (AI)" section exists in the story file</action>
<action>Check if "Review Follow-ups (AI)" subsection exists under Tasks/Subtasks</action>

<check if="Senior Developer Review section exists">
  <action>Set review_continuation = true</action>
  <action>Extract from "Senior Developer Review (AI)" section:
    - Review outcome (Approve/Changes Requested/Blocked)
    - Review date
    - Total action items with checkboxes (count checked vs unchecked)
    - Severity breakdown (High/Med/Low counts)
  </action>
  <action>Count unchecked [ ] review follow-up tasks in "Review Follow-ups (AI)" subsection</action>
  <action>Store list of unchecked review items as {{pending_review_items}}</action>

  <output>⏯️ **Resuming Story After Code Review** ({{review_date}})

    **Review Outcome:** {{review_outcome}}
    **Action Items:** {{unchecked_review_count}} remaining to address
    **Priorities:** {{high_count}} High, {{med_count}} Medium, {{low_count}} Low

    **Strategy:** Will prioritize review follow-up tasks (marked [AI-Review]) before continuing with regular tasks.
  </output>
</check>

<check if="Senior Developer Review section does NOT exist">
  <action>Set review_continuation = false</action>
  <action>Set {{pending_review_items}} = empty</action>

  <output>🚀 **Starting Fresh Implementation**

    Story: {{story_key}}
    Story Status: {{current_status}}
    First incomplete task: {{first_task_description}}
  </output>
</check>

If story file YAML frontmatter already contains `baseline_commit`, preserve the existing value and do not overwrite it

<check if="{{sprint_status}} file exists">
  <action>Load the FULL file: {{sprint_status}}</action>
  <action>Read all development_status entries to find {{story_key}}</action>
  <action>Set {{current_status}} to development_status[{{story_key}}]</action>
</check>

<check if="{{sprint_status}} file does NOT exist">
  <action>Set {{current_status}} to the story file Status section value</action>
</check>

<check if="{{current_status}} == 'ready-for-dev' AND story file YAML frontmatter does NOT contain baseline_commit">
  <action>Run `git rev-parse HEAD` to capture current commit into {{baseline_commit}}; if git/version control is unavailable, set {{baseline_commit}} = `NO_VCS`</action>
  <action>If story file YAML frontmatter exists, add `baseline_commit: {{baseline_commit}}` to the frontmatter</action>
  <action>If story file has no YAML frontmatter, create frontmatter at the top containing only `baseline_commit: {{baseline_commit}}`</action>
</check>

<check if="{{sprint_status}} file exists">
  <check if="{{current_status}} == 'ready-for-dev' OR (review_continuation == true AND {{current_status}} != 'in-progress')">
    <action>Update the story in the sprint status report to = "in-progress"</action>
    <action>Update last_updated field to current date</action>
    <output>🚀 Starting work on story {{story_key}}
      Status updated: {{current_status}} → in-progress
    </output>
  </check>

  <check if="{{current_status}} == 'in-progress'">
    <output>⏯️ Resuming work on story {{story_key}}
      Story is already marked in-progress
    </output>
  </check>

  <check if="{{current_status}} is neither ready-for-dev nor in-progress">
    <output>⚠️ Unexpected story status: {{current_status}}
      Expected ready-for-dev or in-progress. Continuing anyway...
    </output>
  </check>

  <action>Store {{current_sprint_status}} for later use</action>
</check>

<check if="{{sprint_status}} file does NOT exist">
  <output>ℹ️ No sprint status file exists - story progress will be tracked in story file only</output>
  <action>Set {{current_sprint_status}} = "no-sprint-tracking"</action>
</check>

FOLLOW THE STORY FILE TASKS/SUBTASKS SEQUENCE EXACTLY AS WRITTEN - NO DEVIATION

<action>Review the current task/subtask from the story file - this is your authoritative implementation guide</action>
<action>Plan implementation following red-green-refactor cycle</action>

<!-- RED PHASE -->
<action>Write FAILING tests first for the task/subtask functionality</action>
<action>Confirm tests fail before implementation - this validates test correctness</action>

<!-- GREEN PHASE -->
<action>Implement MINIMAL code to make tests pass</action>
<action>Run tests to confirm they now pass</action>
<action>Handle error conditions and edge cases as specified in task/subtask</action>

<!-- REFACTOR PHASE -->
<action>Improve code structure while keeping tests green</action>
<action>Ensure code follows architecture patterns and coding standards from Dev Notes</action>

<action>Document technical approach and decisions in Dev Agent Record → Implementation Plan</action>

<action if="new dependencies required beyond story specifications">HALT: "Additional dependencies need user approval"</action>
<action if="3 consecutive implementation failures occur">HALT and request guidance</action>
<action if="required configuration is missing">HALT: "Cannot proceed without necessary configuration files"</action>

<critical>NEVER implement anything not mapped to a specific task/subtask in the story file</critical>
<critical>NEVER proceed to next task until current task/subtask is complete AND tests pass</critical>
<critical>Execute continuously without pausing until all tasks/subtasks are complete or explicit HALT condition</critical>
<critical>Do NOT propose to pause for review until Step 9 completion gates are satisfied</critical>

Create unit tests for business logic and core functionality introduced/changed by the task Add integration tests for component interactions specified in story requirements Include end-to-end tests for critical user flows when story requirements demand them Cover edge cases and error handling scenarios identified in story Dev Notes Run `make test 2>&1` to execute the full unit test suite — this catches regressions and verifies new tests Run linting and code quality checks if configured in project Validate implementation meets ALL story acceptance criteria; enforce quantitative thresholds explicitly STOP and fix before continuing - identify breaking changes immediately Do NOT run `make integration` — integration tests are owned by the orchestrator and run separately NEVER mark a task complete unless ALL conditions are met - NO LYING OR CHEATING

<!-- VALIDATION GATES -->
<action>Verify ALL tests for this task/subtask ACTUALLY EXIST and PASS 100%</action>
<action>Confirm implementation matches EXACTLY what the task/subtask specifies - no extra features</action>
<action>Validate that ALL acceptance criteria related to this task are satisfied</action>
<action>Run full test suite to ensure NO regressions introduced</action>

<!-- REVIEW FOLLOW-UP HANDLING -->
<check if="task is review follow-up (has [AI-Review] prefix)">
  <action>Extract review item details (severity, description, related AC/file)</action>
  <action>Add to resolution tracking list: {{resolved_review_items}}</action>

  <!-- Mark task in Review Follow-ups section -->
  <action>Mark task checkbox [x] in "Tasks/Subtasks → Review Follow-ups (AI)" section</action>

  <!-- CRITICAL: Also mark corresponding action item in review section -->
  <action>Find matching action item in "Senior Developer Review (AI) → Action Items" section by matching description</action>
  <action>Mark that action item checkbox [x] as resolved</action>

  <action>Add to Dev Agent Record → Completion Notes: "✅ Resolved review finding [{{severity}}]: {{description}}"</action>
</check>

<!-- ONLY MARK COMPLETE IF ALL VALIDATION PASS -->
<check if="ALL validation gates pass AND tests ACTUALLY exist and pass">
  <action>ONLY THEN mark the task (and subtasks) checkbox with [x]</action>
  <action>Update File List section with ALL new, modified, or deleted files (paths relative to repo root)</action>
  <action>Add completion notes to Dev Agent Record summarizing what was ACTUALLY implemented and tested</action>
</check>

<check if="ANY validation fails">
  <action>DO NOT mark task complete - fix issues first</action>
  <action>HALT if unable to fix validation failures</action>
</check>

<check if="review_continuation == true and {{resolved_review_items}} is not empty">
  <action>Count total resolved review items in this session</action>
  <action>Add Change Log entry: "Addressed code review findings - {{resolved_count}} items resolved (Date: {{date}})"</action>
</check>

<action>Save the story file</action>
<action>Determine if more incomplete tasks remain</action>
<action if="more tasks remain">
  <goto step="5">Next task</goto>
</action>
<action if="no tasks remain">
  <goto step="9">Completion</goto>
</action>

Verify ALL tasks and subtasks are marked [x] (re-scan the story document now) Run the full regression suite (do not skip) Confirm File List includes every changed file Execute enhanced definition-of-done validation Update the story Status to: "review"

<!-- Enhanced Definition of Done Validation -->
<action>Validate definition-of-done checklist with essential requirements:
  - All tasks/subtasks marked complete with [x]
  - Implementation satisfies every Acceptance Criterion
  - Unit tests for core functionality added/updated
  - Integration tests for component interactions added when required
  - End-to-end tests for critical flows added when story demands them
  - All tests pass (no regressions, new tests successful)
  - Code quality checks pass (linting, static analysis if configured)
  - File List includes every new/modified/deleted file (relative paths)
  - Dev Agent Record contains implementation notes
  - Change Log includes summary of changes
  - Only permitted story sections were modified
</action>

<!-- Mark story ready for review - sprint status conditional -->
<check if="{sprint_status} file exists AND {{current_sprint_status}} != 'no-sprint-tracking'">
  <action>Load the FULL file: {sprint_status}</action>
  <action>Find development_status key matching {{story_key}}</action>
  <action>Verify current status is "in-progress" (expected previous state)</action>
  <action>Update development_status[{{story_key}}] = "review"</action>
  <action>Update last_updated field to current date</action>
  <action>Save file, preserving ALL comments and structure including STATUS DEFINITIONS</action>
  <output>✅ Story status updated to "review" in sprint-status.yaml</output>
</check>

<check if="{sprint_status} file does NOT exist OR {{current_sprint_status}} == 'no-sprint-tracking'">
  <output>ℹ️ Story status updated to "review" in story file (no sprint tracking configured)</output>
</check>

<check if="story key not found in sprint status">
  <output>⚠️ Story file updated, but sprint-status update failed: {{story_key}} not found

    Story status is set to "review" in file, but sprint-status.yaml may be out of sync.
  </output>
</check>

<!-- Final validation gates -->
<action if="any task is incomplete">HALT - Complete remaining tasks before marking ready for review</action>
<action if="regression failures exist">HALT - Fix regression issues before completing</action>
<action if="File List is incomplete">HALT - Update File List with all changed files</action>
<action if="definition-of-done validation fails">HALT - Address DoD failures before completing</action>

Execute the enhanced definition-of-done checklist using the validation framework Prepare a concise summary in Dev Agent Record → Completion Notes

<action>Communicate to {user_name} that story implementation is complete and ready for review</action>
<action>Summarize key accomplishments: story ID, story key, title, key changes made, tests added, files modified</action>
<action>Provide the story file path and current status (now "review")</action>

<action>Based on {user_skill_level}, ask if user needs any explanations about:
  - What was implemented and how it works
  - Why certain technical decisions were made
  - How to test or verify the changes
  - Any patterns, libraries, or approaches used
  - Anything else they'd like clarified
</action>

<check if="user asks for explanations">
  <action>Provide clear, contextual explanations tailored to {user_skill_level}</action>
  <action>Use examples and references to specific code when helpful</action>
</check>

<action>Once explanations are complete (or user indicates no questions), suggest logical next steps</action>
<action>Recommended next steps (flexible based on project setup):
  - Review the implemented story and test the changes
  - Verify all acceptance criteria are met
  - Ensure deployment readiness if applicable
  - Run `code-review` workflow for peer review
  - Optional: If Test Architect module installed, run `/bmad:tea:automate` to expand guardrail tests
</action>

<output>💡 **Tip:** For best results, run `code-review` using a **different** LLM than the one that implemented this story.</output>
<check if="{sprint_status} file exists">
  <action>Suggest checking {sprint_status} to see project progress</action>
</check>
<action>Remain flexible - allow user to choose their own path or ask for other assistance</action>

This step is MANDATORY. Do NOT skip it. Do NOT exit without executing this step.

<action>Run: `python3 {project-root}/_bmad/scripts/resolve_customization.py --skill {skill-root} --key workflow.on_complete`</action>
<action>If the resolved value is non-empty, execute it as a terminal instruction.
  For this project, the on_complete gate runs the unit test suite as a final regression check:
  Run `make test 2>&1` and verify exit code 0.
  If tests fail: HALT — "Tests must pass before the story can be marked for review. Fix regressions."
  If tests pass: Output "Post-completion regression check passed — no regressions introduced."</action>
<action>If the resolved value is empty or the script fails, skip silently and exit.</action>