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. 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 Determine how to run tests for this repo (infer test framework from project structure) Run all existing tests to ensure no regressions Run the new tests to verify implementation correctness 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 STOP and fix before continuing - ensure implementation correctness 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>

Run: python3 {project-root}/_bmad/scripts/resolve_customization.py --skill {skill-root} --key workflow.on_complete — if the resolved value is non-empty, follow it as the final terminal instruction before exiting.