Release v1.4.0 · bmad-code-org/bmad-builder

🎁 Features

Standalone self-registering modules — Single-skill modules no longer need a dedicated -setup skill. The Module Builder auto-detects single vs multi-skill input and embeds registration directly in the skill via assets/module-setup.md. First-run init hooks into existing agent sidecar detection for a unified setup experience
Module Builder skill — New bmad-module-builder with three capabilities: Ideate Module (IM) for creative brainstorming, Create Module (CM) for scaffolding both standalone and multi-skill modules, and Validate Module (VM) for structural and quality validation with --headless CI support
BMB Setup skill — Extracted and regenerated as bmad-bmb-setup using the Module Builder itself. Manages config.yaml, config.user.yaml, and module-help.csv with anti-zombie merge pattern and legacy migration
Workflow Convert capability (CW) — One-command skill modernization via --convert <path-or-url>. Produces a clean BMad-compliant equivalent with an interactive HTML before/after comparison report including token metrics, categorized changes, and dark/light mode
Script creation standards — Formalized Python-first policy with PEP 723 metadata, cross-platform portability via uv run, and explicit user approval for external dependencies

Fix HTML quality report data injection — template used const RAW but generator looked for const DATA, causing broken report rendering in both builders
Fix merge-help-csv.py HEADER schema — synced from 15 columns to canonical 13-column schema, preventing silent CSV corruption during module setup
Fix {project-root} path validation overcorrection — scanner incorrectly rejected valid project-scope paths like {project-root}/docs/report.md
Add bmad-module-builder to marketplace.json — skill was merged but not registered in the plugin manifest

Outcome-driven builder overhaul — Reframe both builders around discovery-first design: existing skill input treated as reference material, 3-way routing (Analyze/Edit/Rebuild), pruning check in Phase 4, "Quality Optimizer" renamed to "Quality Analysis". Net 44% token reduction in Workflow Builder Phase 5 context
Ideation restructured into 7 phases — Module identity locked in Phase 1, new Phase 6 capability review with user, mandatory config section, self-contained skill briefs, writing discipline (raw ideas in phases 1-2, structured from phase 3+)
Consolidate plugin.json metadata into marketplace.json — single source of truth for plugin metadata
Remove npm publishing pipeline — distribution now via .claude-plugin/ manifest

Comprehensive docs overhaul — Quick start guide with bmad-bmb-setup registration, full 13-column CSV guide explaining how bmad-help uses each column, "Distribution: Plugins and Marketplaces" section covering 43+ skills platforms, standalone vs multi-skill patterns throughout all docs
Add personal-use guidance — users can copy skill folders directly to their tool's skills directory without module packaging
Remove deprecated bmad-init references from workflow-patterns docs
New explanation doc: Scripts in Skills — design patterns for deterministic scripting