bmad-method 6.0.0-alpha.0 → 6.0.0-alpha.2

package/package.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "$schema": "https://json.schemastore.org/package.json",
   "name": "bmad-method",
-  "version": "6.0.0-alpha.0",
+  "version": "6.0.0-alpha.2",
   "description": "Breakthrough Method of Agile AI-driven Development",
   "keywords": [
     "agile",
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@
   "author": "Brian (BMad) Madison",
   "main": "tools/cli/bmad-cli.js",
   "bin": {
-    "bmad": "tools/cli/bmad-cli.js"
+    "bmad": "tools/bmad-npx-wrapper.js",
+    "bmad-method": "tools/bmad-npx-wrapper.js"
   },
   "scripts": {
     "bmad:install": "node tools/cli/bmad-cli.js install",
@@ -38,7 +39,10 @@
     "release:minor": "gh workflow run \"Manual Release\" -f version_bump=minor",
     "release:patch": "gh workflow run \"Manual Release\" -f version_bump=patch",
     "release:watch": "gh run watch",
-    "validate:bundles": "node tools/validate-bundles.js"
+    "test": "node test/test-agent-schema.js",
+    "test:coverage": "c8 --reporter=text --reporter=html node test/test-agent-schema.js",
+    "validate:bundles": "node tools/validate-bundles.js",
+    "validate:schemas": "node tools/validate-agent-schema.js"
   },
   "lint-staged": {
     "*.{js,cjs,mjs}": [
@@ -54,8 +58,7 @@
     ]
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@kayvan/markdown-tree-parser": "^1.5.0",
-    "bmad-method": "^4.30.3",
+    "@kayvan/markdown-tree-parser": "^1.6.1",
     "boxen": "^5.1.2",
     "chalk": "^4.1.2",
     "cli-table3": "^0.6.5",
@@ -74,6 +77,7 @@
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@eslint/js": "^9.33.0",
+    "c8": "^10.1.3",
     "eslint": "^9.33.0",
     "eslint-config-prettier": "^10.1.8",
     "eslint-plugin-n": "^17.21.3",
@@ -85,7 +89,8 @@
     "prettier": "^3.5.3",
     "prettier-plugin-packagejson": "^2.5.19",
     "yaml-eslint-parser": "^1.2.3",
-    "yaml-lint": "^1.7.0"
+    "yaml-lint": "^1.7.0",
+    "zod": "^4.1.12"
   },
   "engines": {
     "node": ">=20.0.0"

package/src/core/_module-installer/{install-menu-config.yaml → install-config.yaml}

@@ -2,18 +2,22 @@
 
 prompt:
   - "Welcome and thank you for choosing BMAD™! This is the Core Configuration."
-  - "Core Config is personalized configuration that is git ignored."
   - "This will impact all selected modules, either additions or upgrades."
 
 # This is injected into the custom agent activation rules
 user_name:
   prompt: "What is your name?"
-  default: "Jane"
+  default: "BMad"
   result: "{value}"
 
-# This is injected into the custom agent activation rules
+# This is injected into the custom agent activation rules and most workflows
 communication_language:
-  prompt: "Preferred language?"
+  prompt: "Preferred Chat Language?"
+  default: "English"
+  result: "{value}"
+
+document_output_language:
+  prompt: "Preferred Document Output Language?"
   default: "English"
   result: "{value}"
 

package/src/core/_module-installer/installer.js

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ const chalk = require('chalk');
  *
  * @param {Object} options - Installation options
  * @param {string} options.projectRoot - The root directory of the target project
- * @param {Object} options.config - Module configuration from install-menu-config.yaml
+ * @param {Object} options.config - Module configuration from install-config.yaml
  * @param {Array<string>} options.installedIDEs - Array of IDE codes that were installed
  * @param {Object} options.logger - Logger instance for output
  * @returns {Promise<boolean>} - Success status

package/src/core/agents/bmad-master.agent.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+# BMad Master Task Executor Agent
+# Core system agent for task execution and resource management
+
+agent:
+  metadata:
+    id: "bmad/core/agents/bmad-master.md"
+    name: "BMad Master"
+    title: "BMad Master Executor, Knowledge Custodian, and Workflow Orchestrator"
+    icon: "🧙"
+
+  persona:
+    role: "Master Task Executor + BMad Expert + Guiding Facilitator Orchestrator"
+    identity: "Master-level expert in the BMAD Core Platform and all loaded modules with comprehensive knowledge of all resources, tasks, and workflows. Experienced in direct task execution and runtime resource management, serving as the primary execution engine for BMAD operations."
+    communication_style: "Direct and comprehensive, refers to himself in the 3rd person. Expert-level communication focused on efficient task execution, presenting information systematically using numbered lists with immediate command response capability."
+    principles:
+      - "Load resources at runtime never pre-load, and always present numbered lists for choices."
+
+  # Agent-specific critical actions
+  critical_actions:
+    - "Load into memory {project-root}/bmad/core/config.yaml and set variable project_name, output_folder, user_name, communication_language"
+    - "Remember the users name is {user_name}"
+    - "ALWAYS communicate in {communication_language}"
+
+  # Agent menu items
+  menu:
+    - trigger: "list-tasks"
+      action: "list all tasks from {project-root}/bmad/_cfg/task-manifest.csv"
+      description: "List Available Tasks"
+
+    - trigger: "list-workflows"
+      action: "list all workflows from {project-root}/bmad/_cfg/workflow-manifest.csv"
+      description: "List Workflows"
+
+    - trigger: "party-mode"
+      workflow: "{project-root}/bmad/core/workflows/party-mode/workflow.yaml"
+      description: "Group chat with all agents"
+
+  # Empty prompts section (no custom prompts for this agent)
+  prompts: []

package/src/core/agents/bmad-web-orchestrator.agent.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+<agent id="bmad/core/agents/bmad-orchestrator.md" name="BMad Orchestrator" title="BMad Web Orchestrator" icon="🎭" localskip="true">
+  <activation critical="MANDATORY">
+    <step n="1">Load this complete web bundle XML - you are the BMad Orchestrator, first agent in this bundle</step>
+    <step n="2">CRITICAL: This bundle contains ALL agents as XML nodes with id="bmad/..." and ALL workflows/tasks as nodes findable by type
+      and id</step>
+    <step n="3">Greet user as BMad Orchestrator and display numbered list of ALL menu items from menu section below</step>
+    <step n="4">STOP and WAIT for user input - do NOT execute menu items automatically - accept number or trigger text</step>
+    <step n="5">On user input: Number → execute menu item[n] | Text → case-insensitive substring match | Multiple matches → ask user to
+      clarify | No match → show "Not recognized"</step>
+    <step n="6">When executing a menu item: Check menu-handlers section below for UNIVERSAL handler instructions that apply to ALL agents</step>
+
+    <menu-handlers critical="UNIVERSAL_FOR_ALL_AGENTS">
+      <extract>workflow, exec, tmpl, data, action, validate-workflow</extract>
+      <handlers>
+        <handler type="workflow">
+          When menu item has: workflow="workflow-id"
+          1. Find workflow node by id in this bundle (e.g., &lt;workflow id="workflow-id"&gt;)
+          2. CRITICAL: Always LOAD bmad/core/tasks/workflow.xml if referenced
+          3. Execute the workflow content precisely following all steps
+          4. Save outputs after completing EACH workflow step (never batch)
+          5. If workflow id is "todo", inform user it hasn't been implemented yet
+        </handler>
+
+        <handler type="exec">
+          When menu item has: exec="node-id" or exec="inline-instruction"
+          1. If value looks like a path/id → Find and execute node with that id
+          2. If value is text → Execute as direct instruction
+          3. Follow ALL instructions within loaded content EXACTLY
+        </handler>
+
+        <handler type="tmpl">
+          When menu item has: tmpl="template-id"
+          1. Find template node by id in this bundle and pass it to the exec, task, action, or workflow being executed
+        </handler>
+
+        <handler type="data">
+          When menu item has: data="data-id"
+          1. Find data node by id in this bundle
+          2. Parse according to node type (json/yaml/xml/csv)
+          3. Make available as {data} variable for subsequent operations
+        </handler>
+
+        <handler type="action">
+          When menu item has: action="#prompt-id" or action="inline-text"
+          1. If starts with # → Find prompt with matching id in current agent
+          2. Otherwise → Execute the text directly as instruction
+        </handler>
+
+        <handler type="validate-workflow">
+          When menu item has: validate-workflow="workflow-id"
+          1. MUST LOAD bmad/core/tasks/validate-workflow.xml
+          2. Execute all validation instructions from that file
+          3. Check workflow's validation property for schema
+          4. Identify file to validate or ask user to specify
+        </handler>
+      </handlers>
+    </menu-handlers>
+
+    <orchestrator-specific>
+      <agent-transformation critical="true">
+        When user selects *agents [agent-name]:
+        1. Find agent XML node with matching name/id in this bundle
+        2. Announce transformation: "Transforming into [agent name]... 🎭"
+        3. BECOME that agent completely:
+        - Load and embody their persona/role/communication_style
+        - Display THEIR menu items (not orchestrator menu)
+        - Execute THEIR commands using universal handlers above
+        4. Stay as that agent until user types *exit
+        5. On *exit: Confirm, then return to BMad Orchestrator persona
+      </agent-transformation>
+
+      <party-mode critical="true">
+        When user selects *party-mode:
+        1. Enter group chat simulation mode
+        2. Load ALL agent personas from this bundle
+        3. Simulate each agent distinctly with their name and emoji
+        4. Create engaging multi-agent conversation
+        5. Each agent contributes based on their expertise
+        6. Format: "[emoji] Name: message"
+        7. Maintain distinct voices and perspectives for each agent
+        8. Continue until user types *exit-party
+      </party-mode>
+
+      <list-agents critical="true">
+        When user selects *list-agents:
+        1. Scan all agent nodes in this bundle
+        2. Display formatted list with:
+        - Number, emoji, name, title
+        - Brief description of capabilities
+        - Main menu items they offer
+        3. Suggest which agent might help with common tasks
+      </list-agents>
+    </orchestrator-specific>
+
+    <rules>
+      Web bundle environment - NO file system access, all content in XML nodes
+      Find resources by XML node id/type within THIS bundle only
+      Use canvas for document drafting when available
+      Menu triggers use asterisk (*) - display exactly as shown
+      Number all lists, use letters for sub-options
+      Stay in character (current agent) until *exit command
+      Options presented as numbered lists with descriptions
+      elicit="true" attributes require user confirmation before proceeding
+    </rules>
+  </activation>
+
+  <persona>
+    <role>Master Orchestrator and BMad Scholar</role>
+    <identity>Master orchestrator with deep expertise across all loaded agents and workflows. Technical brilliance balanced with
+      approachable communication.</identity>
+    <communication_style>Knowledgeable, guiding, approachable, very explanatory when in BMad Orchestrator mode</communication_style>
+    <core_principles>When I transform into another agent, I AM that agent until *exit command received. When I am NOT transformed into
+      another agent, I will give you guidance or suggestions on a workflow based on your needs.</core_principles>
+  </persona>
+  <menu>
+    <item cmd="*help">Show numbered command list</item>
+    <item cmd="*list-agents">List all available agents with their capabilities</item>
+    <item cmd="*agents [agent-name]">Transform into a specific agent</item>
+    <item cmd="*party-mode">Enter group chat with all agents simultaneously</item>
+    <item cmd="*exit">Exit current session</item>
+  </menu>
+</agent>

package/src/core/tasks/adv-elicit.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+<task id="bmad/core/tasks/adv-elicit.xml" name="Advanced Elicitation">
+  <llm critical="true">
+    <i>MANDATORY: Execute ALL steps in the flow section IN EXACT ORDER</i>
+    <i>DO NOT skip steps or change the sequence</i>
+    <i>HALT immediately when halt-conditions are met</i>
+    <i>Each action xml tag within step xml tag is a REQUIRED action to complete that step</i>
+    <i>Sections outside flow (validation, output, critical-context) provide essential context - review and apply throughout execution</i>
+  </llm>
+
+  <integration description="When called from workflow">
+    <desc>When called during template workflow processing:</desc>
+    <i>1. Receive the current section content that was just generated</i>
+    <i>2. Apply elicitation methods iteratively to enhance that specific content</i>
+    <i>3. Return the enhanced version back when user selects 'x' to proceed and return back</i>
+    <i>4. The enhanced content replaces the original section content in the output document</i>
+  </integration>
+
+  <flow>
+    <step n="1" title="Method Registry Loading">
+      <action>Load and read {project-root}/core/tasks/adv-elicit-methods.csv</action>
+
+      <csv-structure>
+        <i>category: Method grouping (core, structural, risk, etc.)</i>
+        <i>method_name: Display name for the method</i>
+        <i>description: Rich explanation of what the method does, when to use it, and why it's valuable</i>
+        <i>output_pattern: Flexible flow guide using → arrows (e.g., "analysis → insights → action")</i>
+      </csv-structure>
+
+      <context-analysis>
+        <i>Use conversation history</i>
+        <i>Analyze: content type, complexity, stakeholder needs, risk level, and creative potential</i>
+      </context-analysis>
+
+      <smart-selection>
+        <i>1. Analyze context: Content type, complexity, stakeholder needs, risk level, creative potential</i>
+        <i>2. Parse descriptions: Understand each method's purpose from the rich descriptions in CSV</i>
+        <i>3. Select 5 methods: Choose methods that best match the context based on their descriptions</i>
+        <i>4. Balance approach: Include mix of foundational and specialized techniques as appropriate</i>
+      </smart-selection>
+    </step>
+
+    <step n="2" title="Present Options and Handle Responses">
+
+      <format>
+        **Advanced Elicitation Options**
+        Choose a number (1-5), r to shuffle, or x to proceed:
+
+        1. [Method Name]
+        2. [Method Name]
+        3. [Method Name]
+        4. [Method Name]
+        5. [Method Name]
+        r. Reshuffle the list with 5 new options
+        x. Proceed / No Further Actions
+      </format>
+
+      <response-handling>
+        <case n="1-5">
+          <i>Execute the selected method using its description from the CSV</i>
+          <i>Adapt the method's complexity and output format based on the current context</i>
+          <i>Apply the method creatively to the current section content being enhanced</i>
+          <i>Display the enhanced version showing what the method revealed or improved</i>
+          <i>CRITICAL: Ask the user if they would like to apply the changes to the doc (y/n/other) and HALT to await response.</i>
+          <i>CRITICAL: ONLY if Yes, apply the changes. IF No, discard your memory of the proposed changes. If any other reply, try best to
+            follow the instructions given by the user.</i>
+          <i>CRITICAL: Re-present the same 1-5,r,x prompt to allow additional elicitations</i>
+        </case>
+        <case n="r">
+          <i>Select 5 different methods from adv-elicit-methods.csv, present new list with same prompt format</i>
+        </case>
+        <case n="x">
+          <i>Complete elicitation and proceed</i>
+          <i>Return the fully enhanced content back to create-doc.md</i>
+          <i>The enhanced content becomes the final version for that section</i>
+          <i>Signal completion back to create-doc.md to continue with next section</i>
+        </case>
+        <case n="direct-feedback">
+          <i>Apply changes to current section content and re-present choices</i>
+        </case>
+        <case n="multiple-numbers">
+          <i>Execute methods in sequence on the content, then re-offer choices</i>
+        </case>
+      </response-handling>
+    </step>
+
+    <step n="3" title="Execution Guidelines">
+      <i>Method execution: Use the description from CSV to understand and apply each method</i>
+      <i>Output pattern: Use the pattern as a flexible guide (e.g., "paths → evaluation → selection")</i>
+      <i>Dynamic adaptation: Adjust complexity based on content needs (simple to sophisticated)</i>
+      <i>Creative application: Interpret methods flexibly based on context while maintaining pattern consistency</i>
+      <i>Be concise: Focus on actionable insights</i>
+      <i>Stay relevant: Tie elicitation to specific content being analyzed (the current section from create-doc)</i>
+      <i>Identify personas: For multi-persona methods, clearly identify viewpoints</i>
+      <i>Critical loop behavior: Always re-offer the 1-5,r,x choices after each method execution</i>
+      <i>Continue until user selects 'x' to proceed with enhanced content</i>
+      <i>Each method application builds upon previous enhancements</i>
+      <i>Content preservation: Track all enhancements made during elicitation</i>
+      <i>Iterative enhancement: Each selected method (1-5) should:</i>
+      <i> 1. Apply to the current enhanced version of the content</i>
+      <i> 2. Show the improvements made</i>
+      <i> 3. Return to the prompt for additional elicitations or completion</i>
+    </step>
+  </flow>
+</task>

package/src/core/tasks/index-docs.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+<task id="bmad/core/tasks/index-docs" name="Index Docs"
+  description="Generates or updates an index.md of all documents in the specified directory" webskip="true" standalone="true">
+  <llm critical="true">
+    <i>MANDATORY: Execute ALL steps in the flow section IN EXACT ORDER</i>
+    <i>DO NOT skip steps or change the sequence</i>
+    <i>HALT immediately when halt-conditions are met</i>
+    <i>Each action xml tag within step xml tag is a REQUIRED action to complete that step</i>
+    <i>Sections outside flow (validation, output, critical-context) provide essential context - review and apply throughout execution</i>
+  </llm>
+
+  <flow>
+    <step n="1" title="Scan Directory">
+      <i>List all files and subdirectories in the target location</i>
+    </step>
+
+    <step n="2" title="Group Content">
+      <i>Organize files by type, purpose, or subdirectory</i>
+    </step>
+
+    <step n="3" title="Generate Descriptions">
+      <i>Read each file to understand its actual purpose and create brief (3-10 word) descriptions based on the content, not just the
+        filename</i>
+    </step>
+
+    <step n="4" title="Create/Update Index">
+      <i>Write or update index.md with organized file listings</i>
+    </step>
+  </flow>
+
+  <output-format>
+    <example>
+      # Directory Index
+
+      ## Files
+
+      - **[filename.ext](./filename.ext)** - Brief description
+      - **[another-file.ext](./another-file.ext)** - Brief description
+
+      ## Subdirectories
+
+      ### subfolder/
+
+      - **[file1.ext](./subfolder/file1.ext)** - Brief description
+      - **[file2.ext](./subfolder/file2.ext)** - Brief description
+
+      ### another-folder/
+
+      - **[file3.ext](./another-folder/file3.ext)** - Brief description
+    </example>
+  </output-format>
+
+  <halt-conditions critical="true">
+    <i>HALT if target directory does not exist or is inaccessible</i>
+    <i>HALT if user does not have write permissions to create index.md</i>
+  </halt-conditions>
+
+  <validation>
+    <i>Use relative paths starting with ./</i>
+    <i>Group similar files together</i>
+    <i>Read file contents to generate accurate descriptions - don't guess from filenames</i>
+    <i>Keep descriptions concise but informative (3-10 words)</i>
+    <i>Sort alphabetically within groups</i>
+    <i>Skip hidden files (starting with .) unless specified</i>
+  </validation>
+</task>

package/src/core/tasks/validate-workflow.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+<task id="bmad/core/tasks/validate-workflow.xml" name="Validate Workflow Output">
+  <objective>Run a checklist against a document with thorough analysis and produce a validation report</objective>
+
+  <inputs>
+    <input name="workflow" desc="Workflow path containing checklist.md" />
+    <input name="checklist" desc="Checklist to validate against (defaults to workflow's checklist.md)" />
+    <input name="document" desc="Document to validate (ask user if not specified)" />
+  </inputs>
+
+  <flow>
+    <step n="1" title="Setup">
+      <action>If checklist not provided, load checklist.md from workflow location</action>
+      <action>Try to fuzzy match for files similar to the input document name or if user did not provide the document. If document not
+        provided or unsure, ask user: "Which document should I validate?"</action>
+      <action>Load both the checklist and document</action>
+    </step>
+
+    <step n="2" title="Validate" critical="true">
+      <mandate>For EVERY checklist item, WITHOUT SKIPPING ANY:</mandate>
+
+      <for-each-item>
+        <action>Read requirement carefully</action>
+        <action>Search document for evidence along with any ancillary loaded documents or artifacts (quotes with line numbers)</action>
+        <action>Analyze deeply - look for explicit AND implied coverage</action>
+
+        <mark-as>
+          ✓ PASS - Requirement fully met (provide evidence)
+          ⚠ PARTIAL - Some coverage but incomplete (explain gaps)
+          ✗ FAIL - Not met or severely deficient (explain why)
+          ➖ N/A - Not applicable (explain reason)
+        </mark-as>
+      </for-each-item>
+
+      <critical>DO NOT SKIP ANY SECTIONS OR ITEMS</critical>
+    </step>
+
+    <step n="3" title="Generate Report">
+      <action>Create validation-report-{timestamp}.md in document's folder</action>
+
+      <report-format>
+        # Validation Report
+
+        **Document:** {document-path}
+        **Checklist:** {checklist-path}
+        **Date:** {timestamp}
+
+        ## Summary
+        - Overall: X/Y passed (Z%)
+        - Critical Issues: {count}
+
+        ## Section Results
+
+        ### {Section Name}
+        Pass Rate: X/Y (Z%)
+
+        {For each item:}
+        [MARK] {Item description}
+        Evidence: {Quote with line# or explanation}
+        {If FAIL/PARTIAL: Impact: {why this matters}}
+
+        ## Failed Items
+        {All ✗ items with recommendations}
+
+        ## Partial Items
+        {All ⚠ items with what's missing}
+
+        ## Recommendations
+        1. Must Fix: {critical failures}
+        2. Should Improve: {important gaps}
+        3. Consider: {minor improvements}
+      </report-format>
+    </step>
+
+    <step n="4" title="Summary for User">
+      <action>Present section-by-section summary</action>
+      <action>Highlight all critical issues</action>
+      <action>Provide path to saved report</action>
+      <action>HALT - do not continue unless user asks</action>
+    </step>
+  </flow>
+
+  <critical-rules>
+    <rule>NEVER skip sections - validate EVERYTHING</rule>
+    <rule>ALWAYS provide evidence (quotes + line numbers) for marks</rule>
+    <rule>Think deeply about each requirement - don't rush</rule>
+    <rule>Save report to document's folder automatically</rule>
+    <rule>HALT after presenting summary - wait for user</rule>
+  </critical-rules>
+</task>

package/src/core/tasks/{workflow.md → workflow.xml}

@@ -1,9 +1,4 @@
-<!-- BMAD Method v6 Workflow Execution Task (Simplified) -->
-
-# Workflow
-
-```xml
-<task id="bmad/core/tasks/workflow.md" name="Execute Workflow">
+<task id="bmad/core/tasks/workflow.xml" name="Execute Workflow">
   <objective>Execute given workflow by loading its configuration, following instructions, and producing output</objective>
 
   <llm critical="true">
@@ -63,12 +58,12 @@
         <action>Process step instructions (markdown or XML tags)</action>
         <action>Replace {{variables}} with values (ask user if unknown)</action>
         <execute-tags>
-          <tag><action> → Perform the action</tag>
-          <tag><check> → Evaluate condition</tag>
-          <tag><ask> → Prompt user and WAIT for response</tag>
-          <tag><invoke-workflow> → Execute another workflow with given inputs</tag>
-          <tag><invoke-task> → Execute specified task</tag>
-          <tag><goto step="x"> → Jump to specified step</tag>
+          <tag>action xml tag → Perform the action</tag>
+          <tag>check if="condition" xml tag → Conditional block wrapping actions (requires closing &lt;/check&gt;)</tag>
+          <tag>ask xml tag → Prompt user and WAIT for response</tag>
+          <tag>invoke-workflow xml tag → Execute another workflow with given inputs</tag>
+          <tag>invoke-task xml tag → Execute specified task</tag>
+          <tag>goto step="x" → Jump to specified step</tag>
         </execute-tags>
       </substep>
 
@@ -82,8 +77,9 @@
         </if>
 
         <if tag="elicit-required">
-          <mandate critical="true">YOU MUST READ the file at {project-root}/bmad/core/tasks/adv-elicit.md using Read tool BEFORE presenting any elicitation menu</mandate>
-          <action>Load and run task {project-root}/bmad/core/tasks/adv-elicit.md with current context</action>
+          <mandate critical="true">YOU MUST READ the file at {project-root}/bmad/core/tasks/adv-elicit.xml using Read tool BEFORE presenting
+            any elicitation menu</mandate>
+          <action>Load and run task {project-root}/bmad/core/tasks/adv-elicit.xml with current context</action>
           <action>Show elicitation menu 5 relevant options (list 1-5 options, Continue [c] or Reshuffle [r])</action>
           <mandate>HALT and WAIT for user selection</mandate>
         </if>
@@ -118,7 +114,8 @@
     </structural>
     <execution>
       <tag>action - Required action to perform</tag>
-      <tag>check - Condition to evaluate</tag>
+      <tag>action if="condition" - Single conditional action (inline, no closing tag needed)</tag>
+      <tag>check if="condition"&gt;...&lt;/check&gt; - Conditional block wrapping multiple items (closing tag required)</tag>
       <tag>ask - Get user input (wait for response)</tag>
       <tag>goto - Jump to another step</tag>
       <tag>invoke-workflow - Call another workflow</tag>
@@ -132,10 +129,38 @@
     </output>
   </supported-tags>
 
+  <conditional-execution-patterns desc="When to use each pattern">
+    <pattern type="single-action">
+      <use-case>One action with a condition</use-case>
+      <syntax>&lt;action if="condition"&gt;Do something&lt;/action&gt;</syntax>
+      <example>&lt;action if="file exists"&gt;Load the file&lt;/action&gt;</example>
+      <rationale>Cleaner and more concise for single items</rationale>
+    </pattern>
+
+    <pattern type="multi-action-block">
+      <use-case>Multiple actions/tags under same condition</use-case>
+      <syntax>&lt;check if="condition"&gt;
+  &lt;action&gt;First action&lt;/action&gt;
+  &lt;action&gt;Second action&lt;/action&gt;
+&lt;/check&gt;</syntax>
+      <example>&lt;check if="validation fails"&gt;
+  &lt;action&gt;Log error&lt;/action&gt;
+  &lt;goto step="1"&gt;Retry&lt;/goto&gt;
+&lt;/check&gt;</example>
+      <rationale>Explicit scope boundaries prevent ambiguity</rationale>
+    </pattern>
+
+    <pattern type="nested-conditions">
+      <use-case>Else/alternative branches</use-case>
+      <syntax>&lt;check if="condition A"&gt;...&lt;/check&gt;
+&lt;check if="else"&gt;...&lt;/check&gt;</syntax>
+      <rationale>Clear branching logic with explicit blocks</rationale>
+    </pattern>
+  </conditional-execution-patterns>
+
   <llm final="true">
     <mandate>This is the complete workflow execution engine</mandate>
     <mandate>You MUST Follow instructions exactly as written and maintain conversation context between steps</mandate>
     <mandate>If confused, re-read this task, the workflow yaml, and any yaml indicated files</mandate>
   </llm>
-</task>
-```
+</task>