bmad-method 6.0.0-alpha.1 → 6.0.0-alpha.10

package/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/correct-course/instructions.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Correct Course - Sprint Change Management Instructions
 
-<critical>The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project-root}/bmad/core/tasks/workflow.xml</critical>
-<critical>You MUST have already loaded and processed: {project-root}/bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/correct-course/workflow.yaml</critical>
+<critical>The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project-root}/{bmad_folder}/core/tasks/workflow.xml</critical>
+<critical>You MUST have already loaded and processed: {project-root}/{bmad_folder}/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/correct-course/workflow.yaml</critical>
 <critical>Communicate all responses in {communication_language} and language MUST be tailored to {user_skill_level}</critical>
 <critical>Generate all documents in {document_output_language}</critical>
 
@@ -27,6 +27,11 @@
 <action if="core documents are unavailable">HALT: "Need access to project documents (PRD, Epics, Architecture, UI/UX) to assess change impact. Please ensure these documents are accessible."</action>
 </step>
 
+<step n="0.5" goal="Discover and load project documents">
+  <invoke-protocol name="discover_inputs" />
+  <note>After discovery, these content variables are available: {prd_content}, {epics_content}, {architecture_content}, {ux_design_content}, {tech_spec_content}, {document_project_content}</note>
+</step>
+
 <step n="2" goal="Execute Change Analysis Checklist">
   <action>Load and execute the systematic analysis from: {checklist}</action>
   <action>Work through each checklist section interactively with the user</action>

package/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/correct-course/workflow.yaml

@@ -3,43 +3,56 @@ name: "correct-course"
 description: "Navigate significant changes during sprint execution by analyzing impact, proposing solutions, and routing for implementation"
 author: "BMad Method"
 
-config_source: "{project-root}/bmad/bmm/config.yaml"
+config_source: "{project-root}/{bmad_folder}/bmm/config.yaml"
 output_folder: "{config_source}:output_folder"
 user_name: "{config_source}:user_name"
 communication_language: "{config_source}:communication_language"
 user_skill_level: "{config_source}:user_skill_level"
 document_output_language: "{config_source}:document_output_language"
 date: system-generated
-
-installed_path: "{project-root}/bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/correct-course"
+sprint_artifacts: "{config_source}:sprint_artifacts"
+sprint_status: "{sprint_artifacts}/sprint-status.yaml || {output_folder}/sprint-status.yaml"
+
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+# Strategy: Load project context for impact analysis
+input_file_patterns:
+  prd:
+    description: "Product requirements for impact analysis"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*prd*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*prd*/*.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  epics:
+    description: "All epics to analyze change impact"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*epic*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*epic*/*.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  architecture:
+    description: "System architecture and decisions"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*architecture*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*architecture*/*.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  ux_design:
+    description: "UX design specification (if UI impacts)"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*ux*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*ux*/*.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  tech_spec:
+    description: "Technical specification"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/tech-spec*.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  document_project:
+    description: "Brownfield project documentation (optional)"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/index.md"
+    load_strategy: "INDEX_GUIDED"
+
+installed_path: "{project-root}/{bmad_folder}/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/correct-course"
 template: false
 instructions: "{installed_path}/instructions.md"
 validation: "{installed_path}/checklist.md"
 checklist: "{installed_path}/checklist.md"
 default_output_file: "{output_folder}/sprint-change-proposal-{date}.md"
 
-# Workflow execution mode (interactive: step-by-step with user, non-interactive: automated)
-mode: interactive
-
-required_inputs:
-  - change_trigger: "Description of the issue or change that triggered this workflow"
-  - project_documents: "Access to PRD, Epics/Stories, Architecture, UI/UX specs"
-
-output_artifacts:
-  - sprint_change_proposal: "Comprehensive proposal documenting issue, impact, and recommended changes"
-  - artifact_edits: "Specific before/after edits for affected documents"
-  - handoff_plan: "Clear routing for implementation based on change scope"
-
-halt_conditions:
-  - "Change trigger unclear or undefined"
-  - "Core project documents unavailable"
-  - "Impact analysis incomplete"
-  - "User approval not obtained"
-
-execution_modes:
-  - incremental: "Recommended - Refine each edit with user collaboration"
-  - batch: "Present all changes at once for review"
-
 standalone: true
 
 web_bundle: false

package/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/instructions.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Create Story - Workflow Instructions (Spec-compliant, non-interactive by default)
 
 ````xml
-<critical>The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project_root}/bmad/core/tasks/workflow.xml</critical>
+<critical>The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project_root}/{bmad_folder}/core/tasks/workflow.xml</critical>
 <critical>You MUST have already loaded and processed: {installed_path}/workflow.yaml</critical>
 <critical>Generate all documents in {document_output_language}</critical>
 <critical>This workflow creates or updates the next user story from epics/PRD and architecture context, saving to the configured stories directory and optionally invoking Story Context.</critical>
@@ -10,13 +10,18 @@
 <workflow>
 
   <step n="1" goal="Load config and initialize">
-    <action>Resolve variables from config_source: story_dir (dev_story_location), output_folder, user_name, communication_language. If story_dir missing and {{non_interactive}} == false → ASK user to provide a stories directory and update variable. If {{non_interactive}} == true and missing, HALT with a clear message.</action>
+    <action>Resolve variables from config_source: story_dir (sprint_artifacts), output_folder, user_name, communication_language. If story_dir missing → ASK user to provide a stories directory and update variable.</action>
     <action>Create {{story_dir}} if it does not exist</action>
     <action>Resolve installed component paths from workflow.yaml: template, instructions, validation</action>
-    <action>Resolve recommended inputs if present: epics_file, prd_file, architecture_file</action>
+    <action>Load architecture/standards docs: For each file name in {{arch_docs_file_names}} within {{arch_docs_search_dirs}}, read if exists. Collect testing, coding standards, security, and architectural patterns.</action>
   </step>
 
-  <step n="2" goal="Discover and load source documents">
+  <step n="1.5" goal="Discover and load project documents">
+    <invoke-protocol name="discover_inputs" />
+    <note>After discovery, these content variables are available: {prd_content}, {tech_spec_content}, {architecture_content}, {ux_design_content}, {epics_content}, {document_project_content}</note>
+  </step>
+
+  <step n="2" goal="Discover previous story context">
     <critical>PREVIOUS STORY CONTINUITY: Essential for maintaining context and learning from prior development</critical>
 
     <action>Find the previous completed story to extract dev agent learnings and review findings:
@@ -86,19 +91,17 @@
     </action>
 
     <action>If {{tech_spec_file}} empty: derive from {{tech_spec_glob_template}} with {{epic_num}} and search {{tech_spec_search_dir}} recursively. If multiple, pick most recent by modified time.</action>
-    <action>Build a prioritized document set for this epic:
+    <action>Build a prioritized document set for this epic - search and load from {input_file_patterns} list of potential locations:
       1) tech_spec_file (epic-scoped)
-      2) epics_file (acceptance criteria and breakdown)
-      3) prd_file (business requirements and constraints)
-      4) architecture_file (architecture constraints)
-      5) Architecture docs under docs/ and output_folder/: tech-stack.md, unified-project-structure.md, coding-standards.md, testing-strategy.md, backend-architecture.md, frontend-architecture.md, data-models.md, database-schema.md, rest-api-spec.md, external-apis.md (include if present)
+      2) epics_file (acceptance criteria and breakdown) the specific epic the story will be part of
+      3) prd_file (business requirements and constraints) whole or sharded
+      4) architecture_file (architecture constraints) whole or sharded
     </action>
     <action>READ COMPLETE FILES for all items found in the prioritized set. Store content and paths for citation.</action>
   </step>
 
   <step n="3" goal="Find next backlog story to draft" tag="sprint-status">
-    <critical>MUST read COMPLETE sprint-status.yaml file from start to end to preserve order</critical>
-    <action>Load the FULL file: {{output_folder}}/sprint-status.yaml</action>
+    <critical>MUST read COMPLETE {sprint_status} file from start to end to preserve order</critical>
     <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>
 
@@ -111,12 +114,12 @@
     <check if="no backlog story found">
       <output>📋 No backlog stories found in sprint-status.yaml
 
-All stories are either already drafted or completed.
+        All stories are either already drafted or completed.
 
-**Options:**
-1. Run sprint-planning to refresh story tracking
-2. Load PM agent and run correct-course to add more stories
-3. Check if current sprint is complete
+        **Options:**
+        1. Run sprint-planning to refresh story tracking
+        2. Load PM agent and run correct-course to add more stories
+        3. Check if current sprint is complete
       </output>
       <action>HALT</action>
     </check>
@@ -135,7 +138,6 @@ All stories are either already drafted or completed.
     <action>Check if story file already exists at expected path in {{story_dir}}</action>
     <check if="story file exists">
       <output>ℹ️ Story file already exists: {{story_file_path}}
-
 Will update existing story file rather than creating new one.
       </output>
       <action>Set update_mode = true</action>
@@ -211,7 +213,7 @@ Will update existing story file rather than creating new one.
   </step>
 
   <step n="8" goal="Validate, save, and mark story drafted" tag="sprint-status">
-    <invoke-task>Validate against checklist at {installed_path}/checklist.md using bmad/core/tasks/validate-workflow.xml</invoke-task>
+    <invoke-task>Validate against checklist at {installed_path}/checklist.md using {bmad_folder}/core/tasks/validate-workflow.xml</invoke-task>
     <action>Save document unconditionally (non-interactive default). In interactive mode, allow user confirmation.</action>
 
     <!-- Mark story as drafted in sprint status -->
@@ -234,6 +236,7 @@ You may need to run sprint-planning to refresh tracking, or manually set the sto
     <output>**✅ Story Created Successfully, {user_name}!**
 
 **Story Details:**
+
 - Story ID: {{story_id}}
 - Story Key: {{story_key}}
 - File: {{story_file}}
@@ -242,6 +245,7 @@ You may need to run sprint-planning to refresh tracking, or manually set the sto
 **⚠️ Important:** The following workflows are context-intensive. It's recommended to clear context and restart the SM agent before running the next command.
 
 **Next Steps:**
+
 1. Review the drafted story in {{story_file}}
 2. **[RECOMMENDED]** Run `story-context` to generate technical context XML and mark story ready for development (combines context + ready in one step)
 3. Or run `story-ready` to manually mark the story ready without generating technical context

package/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story/workflow.yaml

@@ -3,21 +3,23 @@ description: "Create the next user story markdown from epics/PRD and architectur
 author: "BMad"
 
 # Critical variables from config
-config_source: "{project-root}/bmad/bmm/config.yaml"
+config_source: "{project-root}/{bmad_folder}/bmm/config.yaml"
 output_folder: "{config_source}:output_folder"
 user_name: "{config_source}:user_name"
 communication_language: "{config_source}:communication_language"
 date: system-generated
+sprint_artifacts: "{config_source}:sprint_artifacts"
+story_dir: "{sprint_artifacts}"
 
 # Workflow components
-installed_path: "{project-root}/bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story"
+installed_path: "{project-root}/{bmad_folder}/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/create-story"
 template: "{installed_path}/template.md"
 instructions: "{installed_path}/instructions.md"
 validation: "{installed_path}/checklist.md"
 
 # Variables and inputs
 variables:
-  story_dir: "{config_source}:dev_story_location" # Directory where stories are stored
+  sprint_status: "{sprint_artifacts}/sprint-status.yaml || {output_folder}/sprint-status.yaml" # Primary source for story tracking
   epics_file: "{output_folder}/epics.md" # Preferred source for epic/story breakdown
   prd_file: "{output_folder}/PRD.md" # Fallback for requirements
   architecture_file: "{output_folder}/architecture.md" # Optional architecture context
@@ -28,21 +30,43 @@ variables:
     - "{project-root}/docs"
     - "{output_folder}"
   arch_docs_file_names: |
-    - architecture.md
-    - infrastructure-architecture.md
+    - *architecture*.md
   story_title: "" # Will be elicited if not derivable
-  epic_num: 1
-  story_num: 1
-  non_interactive: true # Generate without elicitation; avoid interactive prompts
 
-# Output configuration
-# Uses story_key from sprint-status.yaml (e.g., "1-2-user-authentication")
 default_output_file: "{story_dir}/{{story_key}}.md"
 
-recommended_inputs:
-  - epics: "Epic breakdown (epics.md)"
-  - prd: "PRD document"
-  - architecture: "Architecture (optional)"
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+# Strategy: SELECTIVE LOAD - only load the specific epic needed for this story
+input_file_patterns:
+  prd:
+    description: "Product requirements (optional)"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*prd*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*prd*/*.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  tech_spec:
+    description: "Technical specification (Quick Flow track)"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/tech-spec.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  architecture:
+    description: "System architecture and decisions"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*architecture*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*architecture*/*.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  ux_design:
+    description: "UX design specification (if UI)"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*ux*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*ux*/*.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  epics:
+    description: "Epic containing this story"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*epic*.md"
+    sharded_index: "{output_folder}/*epic*/index.md"
+    sharded_single: "{output_folder}/*epic*/epic-{{epic_num}}.md"
+    load_strategy: "SELECTIVE_LOAD"
+  document_project:
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/index.md"
+    load_strategy: "INDEX_GUIDED"
 
 standalone: true
 

package/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/dev-story/instructions.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Develop Story - Workflow Instructions
 
 ```xml
-<critical>The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project-root}/bmad/core/tasks/workflow.xml</critical>
+<critical>The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project-root}/{bmad_folder}/core/tasks/workflow.xml</critical>
 <critical>You MUST have already loaded and processed: {installed_path}/workflow.yaml</critical>
 <critical>Communicate all responses in {communication_language} and language MUST be tailored to {user_skill_level}</critical>
 <critical>Generate all documents in {document_output_language}</critical>
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
 1. Run `story-context` to generate context file and mark drafted stories as ready
 2. Run `story-ready` to quickly mark drafted stories as ready without generating context
 3. Run `create-story` if no incomplete stories are drafted yet
-4. Check {output-folder}/sprint-status.yaml to see current sprint status
+4. Check {output_folder}/sprint-status.yaml to see current sprint status
       </output>
       <action>HALT</action>
     </check>
@@ -72,6 +72,11 @@ Proceeding with story file only. For better context, consider running `story-con
     <action if="incomplete task or subtask requirements ambiguous">ASK user to clarify or HALT</action>
   </step>
 
+  <step n="0.5" goal="Discover and load project documents">
+    <invoke-protocol name="discover_inputs" />
+    <note>After discovery, these content variables are available: {architecture_content}, {tech_spec_content}, {ux_design_content}, {epics_content} (selective load), {document_project_content}</note>
+  </step>
+
   <step n="1.5" goal="Detect review continuation and extract review context">
     <critical>Determine if this is a fresh start or continuation after code review</critical>
 
@@ -227,7 +232,7 @@ Story is marked Ready for Review in file, but sprint-status.yaml may be out of s
   </step>
 
   <step n="7" goal="Completion communication and user support">
-    <action>Optionally run the workflow validation task against the story using {project-root}/bmad/core/tasks/validate-workflow.xml</action>
+    <action>Optionally run the workflow validation task against the story using {project-root}/{bmad_folder}/core/tasks/validate-workflow.xml</action>
     <action>Prepare a concise summary in Dev Agent Record → Completion Notes</action>
 
     <action>Communicate to {user_name} that story implementation is complete and ready for review</action>

package/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/dev-story/workflow.yaml

@@ -3,23 +3,53 @@ description: "Execute a story by implementing tasks/subtasks, writing tests, val
 author: "BMad"
 
 # Critical variables from config
-config_source: "{project-root}/bmad/bmm/config.yaml"
+config_source: "{project-root}/{bmad_folder}/bmm/config.yaml"
 output_folder: "{config_source}:output_folder"
 user_name: "{config_source}:user_name"
 communication_language: "{config_source}:communication_language"
 user_skill_level: "{config_source}:user_skill_level"
 document_output_language: "{config_source}:document_output_language"
-story_dir: "{config_source}:dev_story_location"
-run_until_complete: "{config_source}:run_until_complete"
-run_tests_command: "{config_source}:run_tests_command"
+story_dir: "{config_source}:sprint_artifacts"
 date: system-generated
 
 story_file: "" # Explicit story path; auto-discovered if empty
 # Context file uses same story_key as story file (e.g., "1-2-user-authentication.context.xml")
 context_file: "{story_dir}/{{story_key}}.context.xml"
+sprint_artifacts: "{config_source}:sprint_artifacts"
+sprint_status: "{sprint_artifacts}/sprint-status.yaml || {output_folder}/sprint-status.yaml"
+
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+# Strategy: Load necessary context for story implementation
+input_file_patterns:
+  architecture:
+    description: "System architecture and decisions"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*architecture*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*architecture*/*.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  tech_spec:
+    description: "Technical specification for this epic"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/tech-spec*.md"
+    sharded: "{sprint_artifacts}/tech-spec-epic-*.md"
+    load_strategy: "SELECTIVE_LOAD"
+  ux_design:
+    description: "UX design specification (if UI)"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*ux*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*ux*/*.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  epics:
+    description: "Epic containing this story"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*epic*.md"
+    sharded_index: "{output_folder}/*epic*/index.md"
+    sharded_single: "{output_folder}/*epic*/epic-{{epic_num}}.md"
+    load_strategy: "SELECTIVE_LOAD"
+  document_project:
+    description: "Brownfield project documentation (optional)"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/index.md"
+    load_strategy: "INDEX_GUIDED"
 
 # Workflow components
-installed_path: "{project-root}/bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/dev-story"
+installed_path: "{project-root}/{bmad_folder}/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/dev-story"
 instructions: "{installed_path}/instructions.md"
 validation: "{installed_path}/checklist.md"
 

package/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/epic-tech-context/checklist.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Tech Spec Validation Checklist
 
 ```xml
-<checklist id="bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/epic-tech-context/checklist">
+<checklist id="{bmad_folder}/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/epic-tech-context/checklist">
   <item>Overview clearly ties to PRD goals</item>
   <item>Scope explicitly lists in-scope and out-of-scope</item>
   <item>Design lists all services/modules with responsibilities</item>

package/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/epic-tech-context/instructions.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <!-- BMAD BMM Tech Spec Workflow Instructions (v6) -->
 
 ```xml
-<critical>The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project_root}/bmad/core/tasks/workflow.xml</critical>
+<critical>The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project_root}/{bmad_folder}/core/tasks/workflow.xml</critical>
 <critical>You MUST have already loaded and processed: {installed_path}/workflow.yaml</critical>
 <critical>Communicate all responses in {communication_language}</critical>
 <critical>This workflow generates a comprehensive Technical Specification from PRD and Architecture, including detailed design, NFRs, acceptance criteria, and traceability mapping.</critical>
@@ -13,8 +13,7 @@
     <ask if="inputs are missing">ask the user for file paths. HALT and wait for docs to proceed</ask>
 
     <!-- Intelligent Epic Discovery -->
-    <critical>MUST read COMPLETE sprint-status.yaml file to discover next epic</critical>
-    <action>Load the FULL file: {{output_folder}}/sprint-status.yaml</action>
+    <critical>MUST read COMPLETE {sprint-status} file to discover next epic</critical>
     <action>Read ALL development_status entries</action>
     <action>Find all epics with status "backlog" (not yet contexted)</action>
     <action>Identify the FIRST backlog epic as the suggested default</action>
@@ -52,10 +51,15 @@ No epics with status "backlog" found in sprint-status.yaml.
       </check>
     </check>
 
-    <action>Extract {{epic_title}} from PRD based on {{epic_id}}.</action>
     <action>Resolve output file path using workflow variables and initialize by writing the template.</action>
   </step>
 
+  <step n="1.5" goal="Discover and load project documents">
+    <invoke-protocol name="discover_inputs" />
+    <note>After discovery, these content variables are available: {prd_content}, {gdd_content}, {architecture_content}, {ux_design_content}, {epics_content} (will load only epic-{{epic_id}}.md if sharded), {document_project_content}</note>
+    <action>Extract {{epic_title}} from {prd_content} or {epics_content} based on {{epic_id}}.</action>
+  </step>
+
   <step n="2" goal="Validate epic exists in sprint status" tag="sprint-status">
     <action>Look for epic key "epic-{{epic_id}}" in development_status (already loaded from step 1)</action>
     <action>Get current status value if epic exists</action>
@@ -128,10 +132,10 @@ Continuing to regenerate tech spec...
   </step>
 
   <step n="9" goal="Validate and mark epic contexted" tag="sprint-status">
-    <invoke-task>Validate against checklist at {installed_path}/checklist.md using bmad/core/tasks/validate-workflow.xml</invoke-task>
+    <invoke-task>Validate against checklist at {installed_path}/checklist.md using {bmad_folder}/core/tasks/validate-workflow.xml</invoke-task>
 
     <!-- Mark epic as contexted -->
-    <action>Load the FULL file: {{output_folder}}/sprint-status.yaml</action>
+    <action>Load the FULL file: {sprint_status}</action>
     <action>Find development_status key "epic-{{epic_id}}"</action>
     <action>Verify current status is "backlog" (expected previous state)</action>
     <action>Update development_status["epic-{{epic_id}}"] = "contexted"</action>

package/src/modules/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/epic-tech-context/workflow.yaml

@@ -1,34 +1,58 @@
-name: tech-spec
+name: epic-tech-context
 description: "Generate a comprehensive Technical Specification from PRD and Architecture with acceptance criteria and traceability mapping"
 author: "BMAD BMM"
 
 # Critical variables
-config_source: "{project-root}/bmad/bmm/config.yaml"
+config_source: "{project-root}/{bmad_folder}/bmm/config.yaml"
 output_folder: "{config_source}:output_folder"
 user_name: "{config_source}:user_name"
 communication_language: "{config_source}:communication_language"
 date: system-generated
+sprint_artifacts: "{config_source}:sprint_artifacts"
+sprint_status: "{sprint_artifacts}/sprint-status.yaml || {output_folder}/sprint-status.yaml"
 
-# Inputs expected ( check output_folder or ask user if missing)
-recommended_inputs:
-  - prd
-  - gdd
-  - spec
-  - architecture
-  - ux_spec
-  - ux-design
-  - if there is an index.md then read the index.md to find other related docs that could be relevant
-  - prior epic tech-specs for model, style and consistency reference
+# Smart input file references - handles both whole docs and sharded docs
+# Priority: Whole document first, then sharded version
+# Strategy: SELECTIVE LOAD - only load the specific epic needed (epic_num from context)
+input_file_patterns:
+  prd:
+    description: "Product requirements (optional)"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*prd*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*prd*/*.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  gdd:
+    description: "Game Design Document (for game projects)"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*gdd*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*gdd*/*.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  architecture:
+    description: "System architecture and decisions"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*architecture*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*architecture*/*.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  ux_design:
+    description: "UX design specification (if UI)"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*ux*.md"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/*ux*/*.md"
+    load_strategy: "FULL_LOAD"
+  epics:
+    description: "Specific epic for tech spec generation"
+    whole: "{output_folder}/*epic*.md"
+    sharded_index: "{output_folder}/*epic*/index.md"
+    sharded_single: "{output_folder}/*epic*/epic-{{epic_num}}.md"
+    load_strategy: "SELECTIVE_LOAD"
+  document_project:
+    description: "Brownfield project documentation (optional)"
+    sharded: "{output_folder}/index.md"
+    load_strategy: "INDEX_GUIDED"
 
 # Workflow components
-installed_path: "{project-root}/bmad/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/epic-tech-context"
+installed_path: "{project-root}/{bmad_folder}/bmm/workflows/4-implementation/epic-tech-context"
 template: "{installed_path}/template.md"
 instructions: "{installed_path}/instructions.md"
 validation: "{installed_path}/checklist.md"
 
 # Output configuration
-default_output_file: "{output_folder}/tech-spec-epic-{{epic_id}}.md"
-
+default_output_file: "{sprint_artifacts}/tech-spec-epic-{{epic_id}}.md"
 standalone: true
-
 web_bundle: false