Test Architect (TEA)

TEA (Test Engineering Architect) is a standalone BMAD module that delivers risk-based test strategy, test automation guidance, and release gate decisions. It provides a single expert agent (Murat, Master Test Architect and Quality Advisor) and nine workflows spanning Teach Me Testing (TEA Academy), framework setup, test design, ATDD, automation, traceability, NFR assessment, CI guidance, and test review.

Docs: https://bmad-code-org.github.io/bmad-method-test-architecture-enterprise/

Why TEA

• Risk-based testing with measurable quality gates
• Consistent, knowledge-base driven outputs
• Clear prioritization (P0-P3) and traceability
• Optional Playwright Utils, CLI, and MCP browser automation

How BMad Works

BMad works because it turns big, fuzzy work into repeatable workflows. Each workflow is broken into small steps with clear instructions, so the AI follows the same path every time. It also uses a shared knowledge base (standards and patterns) so outputs are consistent, not random. In short: structured steps + shared standards = reliable results.

How TEA Fits In

TEA plugs into BMad the same way a specialist plugs into a team. It uses the same step‑by‑step workflow engine and shared standards, but focuses exclusively on testing and quality gates. That means you get a risk‑based test plan, automation guidance, and go/no‑go decisions that align with the rest of the BMad process.

Architecture & Flow

BMad is a small agent + workflow engine:

• Agent = expert persona (e.g., Test Architect).
• Workflow = a guided sequence of step files.
• Step file = one focused instruction set; outputs are written only in the steps that produce them.
• Knowledge base = reusable standards and patterns loaded only when needed.
• Modes = steps-c/ (Create), steps-e/ (Edit), steps-v/ (Validate).
  • This keeps the create flow separate from editing and validation, and matches BMad Builder conventions.

flowchart LR
  U[User] --> A[Agent Persona]
  A --> W[Workflow Entry: workflow.md]
  W --> S[Step Files: steps-c / steps-e / steps-v]
  S --> K[Knowledge Fragments<br/>optional]
  S --> T[Templates & Checklists<br/>optional]
  S --> O[Outputs: docs/tests/reports<br/>when a step writes output]
  O --> V[Validation: checklist + report]

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Install

npx bmad-method install
# Select: Test Architect (TEA)

Note: TEA is automatically added to party mode after installation. Use /party to collaborate with TEA alongside other BMad agents.

Quickstart

1. Install TEA (above)
2. Run one of the core workflows:
   • TD / /bmad:tea:test-design — test design and risk assessment
   • AT / /bmad:tea:atdd — failing acceptance tests first (TDD red phase)
   • TA / /bmad:tea:automate — expand automation coverage
3. Or use in party mode: /party to include TEA with other agents

Engagement Models

• No TEA: Use your existing testing approach
• TEA Solo: Standalone use on non-BMad projects
• TEA Lite: Start with automate only for fast onboarding
• Integrated (BMad Method / Enterprise): Use TEA in Phases 3–4 and release gates

Workflows

Trigger	Command	Purpose
TMT	/bmad:tea:teach-me-testing	Teach Me Testing (TEA Academy)
TF	/bmad:tea:framework	Scaffold Playwright/Cypress test framework
CI	/bmad:tea:ci	Set up CI/CD quality pipeline
TD	/bmad:tea:test-design	System-level or epic-level test design
AT	/bmad:tea:atdd	Generate failing acceptance tests + checklist
TA	/bmad:tea:automate	Expand test automation coverage
RV	/bmad:tea:test-review	Review test quality and score
TR	/bmad:tea:trace	Trace requirements to tests + gate decision
NR	/bmad:tea:nfr-assess	Assess non-functional requirements

Configuration

TEA variables are defined in src/module.yaml and prompted during install:

• test_artifacts — base output folder for test artifacts
• tea_use_playwright_utils — enable Playwright Utils integration (boolean)
• tea_browser_automation — browser automation mode: auto, cli, mcp, none (string)
• test_framework — default framework preference (future)
• risk_threshold — risk cutoff for mandatory testing (future)
• test_design_output, test_review_output, trace_output — subfolders under test_artifacts

Knowledge Base

TEA relies on a curated testing knowledge base:

• Index: src/testarch/tea-index.csv
• Fragments: src/testarch/knowledge/

Workflows load only the fragments required for the current task to stay focused and compliant.

Module Structure

src/
├── module.yaml
├── agents/
│   └── tea.agent.yaml
├── workflows/
│   └── testarch/
│       ├── atdd/
│       ├── automate/
│       ├── ci/
│       ├── framework/
│       ├── nfr-assess/
│       ├── teach-me-testing/
│       ├── test-design/
│       ├── test-review/
│       └── trace/
└── testarch/
    ├── tea-index.csv
    └── knowledge/

Contributing

See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.

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📦 Release Guide (for Maintainers)

Publishing TEA to NPM

TEA uses an automated release workflow that handles versioning, tagging, NPM publishing, and GitHub releases.

Prerequisites (One-Time Setup)

1. NPM Token Configuration:

   • Generate NPM automation token: npmjs.com/settings/tokens
   • Add to GitHub Secrets: Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions → New repository secret
   • Name: NPM_TOKEN
   • Value: [your token]

2. Verify Package Configuration:

   # Check package.json settings
   cat package.json | grep -A 3 "publishConfig"
   # Should show: "access": "public"

Release Process

Option 1: Using npm Scripts (Recommended)

From your local terminal after merging to main:

# Beta release (first release or testing)
npm run release:beta

# Alpha release (early testing)
npm run release:alpha

# Patch release (bug fixes)
npm run release:patch

# Minor release (new features, backwards compatible)
npm run release:minor

# Major release (breaking changes)
npm run release:major

Option 2: Manual Workflow Trigger

1. Go to Actions tab in GitHub
2. Click "Manual Release" workflow
3. Click "Run workflow"
4. Select version bump type (alpha, beta, patch, minor, major)
5. Click "Run workflow"

What Happens Automatically

The workflow performs these steps:

1. ✅ Validation: Runs all tests, linting, and format checks
2. ✅ Version Bump: Updates package.json version
   • beta: 0.1.0 → 0.1.1-beta.0
   • alpha: 0.1.0 → 0.1.1-alpha.0
   • patch: 0.1.0 → 0.1.1
   • minor: 0.1.0 → 0.2.0
   • major: 0.1.0 → 1.0.0
3. ✅ Commit: Creates version bump commit
4. ✅ Tag: Creates git tag (e.g., v0.1.1-beta.0)
5. ✅ Push: Pushes tag to GitHub
6. ✅ Publish: Publishes to NPM registry
   • Alpha → npm install --tag alpha
   • Beta → npm install (tagged as latest)
   • Stable → npm install (tagged as latest)
7. ✅ GitHub Release: Creates release with auto-generated notes
8. ✅ Summary: Displays installation instructions

Version Bump Strategy

For TEA Module:

• Beta (0.1.x-beta.x): Pre-1.0 testing, used for initial releases
• Alpha (0.1.x-alpha.x): Early development, experimental features
• Patch (0.1.x): Bug fixes, no new features
• Minor (0.x.0): New features, backwards compatible
• Major (x.0.0): Breaking changes (e.g., 1.0.0 release)

Recommended Release Path:

1. 0.1.0 → 0.1.1-beta.0 (first beta)
2. Test beta with early adopters
3. 0.1.1-beta.0 → 0.1.1-beta.1 (fixes)
4. When stable: 0.1.1-beta.1 → 1.0.0 (official release)

Verify Publication

Check NPM:

npm view bmad-method-test-architecture-enterprise

Install TEA:

npx bmad-method install
# Select "Test Architect (TEA)"

Test Workflows:

# In your project
tea              # Load agent
test-design      # Test workflow

Rollback a Release (if needed)

If you need to unpublish a version:

# Unpublish specific version (within 72 hours)
npm unpublish bmad-method-test-architecture-enterprise@0.1.1-beta.0

# Deprecate version (preferred for older releases)
npm deprecate bmad-method-test-architecture-enterprise@0.1.1-beta.0 "Use version X.Y.Z instead"

Troubleshooting

"NPM_TOKEN not found":

• Verify secret is set: GitHub repo → Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions
• Secret name must be exactly: NPM_TOKEN

"Package already exists":

• Check if package name is already taken on NPM
• Update name in package.json if needed

"Tests failed":

• Fix failing tests before release
• Run npm test locally to verify

"Git push failed (protected branch)":

• This is expected for protected main branch
• The tag and version bump are still created
• You may need to manually merge the version bump commit

Release Checklist

Before releasing:

• All tests passing: npm test
• Documentation up to date
• CHANGELOG.md updated
• No uncommitted changes
• On main branch
• NPM token configured in GitHub Secrets
• Package name available on NPM

After releasing:

• Verify NPM publication: npm view bmad-method-test-architecture-enterprise
• Test installation: npx bmad-method install
• Verify workflows work
• Check GitHub Release created
• Monitor for issues

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License

See LICENSE.