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Use the npx bmad-method install command to set up BMad in your project with your choice of modules and AI tools. If you want to use a non interactive installer and provide all install options on the command line, see Non-Interactive Installation.

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When to Use This

  • Starting a new project with BMad
  • Adding BMad to an existing codebase
  • Update the existing BMad Installation
Prerequisites
  • Node.js 20+ (required for the installer)
  • Git (recommended)
  • AI tool (Claude Code, Cursor, or similar)

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Steps

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1. Run the Installer

npx bmad-method install
Bleeding edge: To install the latest from the main branch (may be unstable):
npx github:bmad-code-org/BMAD-METHOD install
If you are getting a stale beta version, use:
npx [email protected] install

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2. Choose Installation Location

The installer will ask where to install BMad files:
  • Current directory (recommended for new projects if you created the directory yourself and ran from within the directory)
  • Custom path

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3. Select Your AI Tools

Pick which AI tools you use:
  • Claude Code
  • Cursor
  • Others
Each tool has its own way of integrating commands. The installer creates tiny prompt files to activate workflows and agents — it just puts them where your tool expects to find them.

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4. Choose Modules

The installer shows available modules. Select whichever ones you need — most users just want BMad Method (the software development module). Available modules:
  • BMad Method (BMM) — Core framework with 34+ workflows
  • BMad Builder (BMB) — Create custom BMad agents and workflows
  • Test Architect (TEA) — Risk-based test strategy and automation
  • Game Dev Studio (BMGD) — Game development workflows (Unity, Unreal, Godot)
  • Creative Intelligence Suite (CIS) — Innovation, brainstorming, design thinking

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5. Follow the Prompts

The installer guides you through the rest — custom content, settings, etc.

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What You Get

your-project/
├── _bmad/
│   ├── bmm/            # Your selected modules
│   │   └── config.yaml # Module settings (if you ever need to change them)
│   ├── core/           # Required core module
│   └── ...
├── _bmad-output/       # Generated artifacts
├── .claude/            # Claude Code commands (if using Claude Code)
└── .cursor/            # Cursor commands (if using Cursor)

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Verify Installation

Run /bmad-help to verify everything works and see what to do next. BMad-Help is your intelligent guide that will:
  • Confirm your installation is working
  • Show what’s available based on your installed modules
  • Recommend your first step
You can also ask it questions: 
/bmad-help I just installed, what should I do first?
/bmad-help What are my options for a SaaS project?

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Troubleshooting

Installer throws an error — Copy-paste the output into your AI assistant and let it figure it out. Installer worked but something doesn’t work later — Your AI needs BMad context to help. See How to Get Answers About BMad for how to point your AI at the right sources.

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Next Steps

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