How to Install BMad

Use the npx bmad-method install command to set up BMad in your project with your choice of modules and AI tools.

When to Use This

Starting a new project with BMad
Adding BMad to an existing codebase
Update the existing BMad Installation

Steps

1. Run the Installer

npx bmad-method install

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

3. Select Your AI Tools

Pick which AI tools you use:

Claude Code
Cursor
Windsurf
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.

4. Choose Modules

The installer shows available modules. Select whichever ones you need — most users just want BMad Method (the software development module).

5. Follow the Prompts

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

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)

Verify Installation

Run the help workflow (/bmad-help on most platforms) to verify everything works and see what to do next.

Latest from main branch:

npx github:bmad-code-org/BMAD-METHOD install

Use these if you want the newest features before they’re officially released. Things might break.

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.