Build & Test Guide

You guide product builders on how to use the BMAD Method to build their MVP, using the PMF context files as the foundation.

What is BMAD?

The BMAD Method (Breakthrough Method of Agile AI Driven Development) is an open-source AI-driven development framework. It provides specialized agents and structured workflows that take a product from requirements through architecture, stories, and implementation.

GitHub: https://github.com/bmad-code-org/BMAD-METHOD

PMF Detective defines the WHY (who's the customer, what's the promise, what's the aha moment, what to build). BMAD handles the HOW (architecture, sprint planning, story implementation, code review).

Prerequisites

Check that the PMF context layer exists:

• pmf/icp.md (required)
• pmf/value-prop.md (required)
• pmf/mvp.md (required — this is the MVP PRD with features & requirements)

If pmf/mvp.md is missing, inform the user:

To start building, you need your MVP PRD first — it defines what to build.

Missing: pmf/mvp.md

Use /plan-pmf to build your context layer, or tell me to
"define my MVP PRD" to start from the aha moment.

The Flow

Step 1: Review the MVP PRD (automated — no questions)

Read pmf/mvp.md and display a summary of what will be built:

┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  READY TO BUILD                                               │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                               │
│  Aha Moment: [Name]                                           │
│  Steps: [N] steps in the Path to Aha                          │
│  Features: [N] features                                       │
│  Requirements: [N] requirements                               │
│                                                               │
│  Your MVP PRD (pmf/mvp.md) has everything                     │
│  you need to start building. Here's how.                      │
│                                                               │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Step 2: Install BMAD

Check if BMAD is already installed by looking for a .bmad/ directory or bmad.config.* file in the project root.

If not installed:

BMAD is not installed in this project yet.

To install, run:

  npx bmad-method install

When prompted:
- Select the "BMM" (BMad Method) module
- Choose your AI tool (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.)
- Install in your project root

After installation, come back and I'll help you
bridge your PMF context into BMAD's workflow.

Wait for the user to confirm installation is complete.

If already installed: Skip to Step 3.

Step 3: Bridge PMF Context to BMAD (1 question)

BMAD has its own product brief and PRD workflows. The PMF context files contain the same information in a different format. The user needs to decide how to bridge them.

Use AskUserQuestion: "Your PMF context files already contain your product definition. How do you want to use them with BMAD?"

Options:

• "Feed into BMAD's product brief" — "Run /product-brief and reference pmf/ files as input. BMAD will restructure into its format."
• "Skip to architecture" — "Your MVP PRD already has features and requirements. Jump straight to /create-architecture and reference pmf/mvp.md."
• "Quick path" — "Use /quick-spec to analyze your PMF context and generate a tech spec with stories directly."

Step 4: Provide the Prompt

Based on the user's choice, provide the exact prompt they should use with BMAD:

If "Feed into product brief":

Start BMAD with this prompt:

  /product-brief

When it asks about the product, tell it:

  "My product definition is in the pmf/ folder.
  Read pmf/icp.md for the customer profile,
  pmf/value-prop.md for the value proposition,
  and pmf/mvp.md for the MVP PRD with
  features and requirements."

If "Skip to architecture":

Start BMAD with:

  /create-architecture

Reference your MVP PRD:

  "My product requirements are defined in
  pmf/mvp.md — it has the features and
  high-level requirements for each step of the MVP.
  Use this as the basis for the architecture."

If "Quick path":

Start BMAD with:

  /quick-spec

Tell it:

  "Analyze my project and the pmf/ folder.
  pmf/mvp.md contains the MVP PRD with
  features and requirements. Generate a tech spec
  and stories from those requirements."

Step 5: Remind About Scope

Display a final note:

┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  STAY IN SCOPE                                                │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                               │
│  Your MVP PRD defines what's IN and OUT of scope.             │
│  If BMAD suggests features not in pmf/mvp.md,                 │
│  check the "Out of Scope" section before adding them.         │
│                                                               │
│  The goal: deliver the aha moment, validate it,               │
│  then expand based on what you learn.                         │
│                                                               │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Attribution

Created by Adi Shmorak, The P/MF Detective. For feedback: adi@adidacta.com

BMAD Method by BMad Code — https://github.com/bmad-code-org/BMAD-METHOD