Installing the BMAD Method for Roo Code.

TL;DR.

This post provides a step-by-step process for installing and setting up the BMAD Method for Roo Code, which integrates AI with Agile methodologies to enhance software development. It covers prerequisites, installation steps, and customization options that streamlines workflows and automates tasks, improving the SDLC (Software Development Life-Cycle).

Attributions:

• The BMAD GitHub Repo ↗, and

• The BMAD Website ↗.

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An Introduction.

This guide walks me through the installation and setup of the BMAD Method for Roo Code, a framework that integrates AI with Agile methodologies that improves my software development efficiency.

The purpose of this post is to show how to setup the BMAD Method so that it works with Roo Code.

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The Big Picture.

The BMAD Method for Roo Code is essential for my understanding of how to effectively integrate AI with Agile methodologies. This guide walks me through the installation and setup process, providing insights into how the BMAD Method enhances my software development by automating many, tedious tasks. By following these steps, I can use the results of this post to streamline my workflow and leverage innovative tools that boosts my efficiency when creating my projects.

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Prerequisites.

• A Debian-based Linux distro (I use Ubuntu),

• The Roo Code Extension,

• VS Code, and

• Node v20+.

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Updating my Base System.

• From the (base) terminal, I update my (base) system:

sudo apt clean && \
sudo apt update && \
sudo apt dist-upgrade -y && \
sudo apt --fix-broken install && \
sudo apt autoclean && \
sudo apt autoremove -y

NOTE: The Ollama LLM manager is already installed on my (base) system.

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What is the BMAD Process?

The BMAD Process is a framework that integrates AI with Agile methodologies that streamlines software development. It utilizes specialized AI agents to manage tasks and automate repetitive processes, all for the purpose of enhancing the SDLC (Software Development Life-Cycle).

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Installing the BMAD Method.

From the terminal, I install the BMAD Method:

npx bmad-method install

• When asked to install the BMAD packages, I type ‘y’ and hit the ENTER key:

• On the next screen, I provide the full path to my project directory and hit the ENTER key:

NOTE: I can also type a period (.) to install the BMAD Method into the current directory.

• On the next screen, I use the up/down arrow keys to move the selector, use the SPACEBAR to select/deselect multiple options, and hit the ENTER key:

On the next two screens, I type ‘y’ for both of the document sharding options, and hit the ENTER key:

• On the next screen, I use the up/down arrow keys to move the selector to Roo Code, press the SPACEBAR to make my selection, and hit the ENTER key:

• On the final screen, I type ‘n’ to bypass the installation of pre-built web bundles, and hit the ENTER key:

Here is the screen after a successful installation:

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Setting Up the BMAD Method & the Roo Code Extension.

• I open VS Code and navigate to the project folder (File > Open Folder…):

NOTE: The Explorer tab shows two hidden directories and a hidden YAML file called .roomodes. The .roomodes file loads 11 custom modes into Roo Code and makes them available for use alongside the built-in modes.

• I open the .bmad-core folder, right-click the user-guide.md file, and select Open Preview from the pop-up menu:

• If the flowchart images are not displayed, I install the Markdown All in One extension from Yu Zhang, and the Markdown Preview Mermaid Support extension from Matt Bierner.

• I open the Roo Code extension.

• At the bottom-left of Roo Code, there are two similar buttons with up-arrows. I click the one on the left called the Select mode for interaction.

• I click the gear icon to enter the Mode Settings menu:

• I take note of the 11 new modes that are available in this project:

Optional - Cleaning Up the Modes in the .roomodes File.

• In the .roomodes file, I rearrange the modes so they match, from top to bottom, the flow charts in the user-guide.md file.

• I prepend the name: settings with BMAD, e.g. ‘Business Analyst’ becomes ‘BMAD Business Analyst‘.

• Sometimes, I will shorten a name:, e.g. ‘Full Stack Developer‘ to ’BMAD Developer’, and ‘Senior Developer & QA Architect‘ to ‘BMAD Senior Dev & QA‘.

NOTE: I leave the last 3 modes at the bottom of the file because I don’t use them.

Creating Custom Slash (/) Commands for Roo Code.

• At the bottom-right of Roo Code, I click the Manage slash commands icon (that looks like a lightning bolt):

• In the New global command… field, I add a new slash command called /analyse:

• I click the plus (+) button that is next to my new slash (/) command.

NOTE: I choose to create custom, global, slash commands because I will then be able to reuse those commands in other projects.

• I click the Edit command button next to the new slash command to open the analyst.md file:

• In the description:, I write “BMAD Analyst“

• I replace the white text with the Path: ./.bmad-core/agents/analyst.md command.

NOTE: I used the user-guide.md file as a reference while creating these custom slash (/) commands. I also went to the Roo Code global commands directory (~/.roo/commands), made 8 copies of the analyst.md file, re-named those copies (as arch, dev, master, pm, po, qa, sm, and ux), and changed their contents accordingly.

In the Roo Code prompt dialog box, I can type a slash (/) and all of the custom commands are displayed, and available. If I am in any other mode, I can use a custom command to run any BMAD agent directly. For instance, the following image shows that I was in the “Documentation Writer“ mode, but I could still activate the BMAD analyst mode with my custom slash (/) command:

HINT: Thanks to the BMAD Method doing most of the “ heavy lifting“, I can use cheaper AI models like OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b, Qwen: Qwen3 235B A22B Thinking 2507, and Google: Gemini Flash 2.0 (I use OpenRouter.ai to gain access to most of the AI models from nearly all of the AI companies).

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The Results.

The installation and setup of the BMAD Method for Roo Code provides a robust framework for integrating AI with Agile methodologies, enhancing the software development process. By following the detailed steps outlined, I can effectively implement the BMAD Method, customize Roo Code with new modes, and create reusable slash commands to streamline my workflow. This approach not only automates repetitive tasks but also fosters improved collaboration and efficiency throughout the software development life cycle. As I continue to explore and utilize these tools, I must remember to adapt and customize these utilities to best fit the unique needs of each project.

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In Conclusion.

I learned how to seamlessly integrate AI with Agile methodologies using the BMAD Method for Roo Code. This comprehensive guide covered the installation, setup, and customisations that enhances my software development processes and automates many of the tasks I perform. The BMAD method is perfect for developers looking to streamline their workflow with innovative tools.

Until next time: Be safe, be kind, be awesome.

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Hash Tags.

#BMADMethod #RooCode #AIMethodologies #AgileDevelopment #SoftwareDevelopment #WorkflowAutomation #VSCode #NodeJS #TechGuide #SoftwareEfficiency