BMAD Method - Part 2

Since I last talk about BMAD Method (here), about 2 months ago. It has evolved fast. Infact, today (23/02/2206) they have released their newest stable release for version 6. If you can remember, I used version 4.4x in my last article. That's how fast AI industry is moving.

Since then I have used BMAD method successfully in one of production application, and I'm very happy about it.

Since I bought Claude pro subscription recently, I'm going discuss how we can use BMAD method through Claude code (which is the recomended way of using it by its developers).

You can use ClaudeCode, in any terminal (standalone terminal, terminal in a IDE or any other terminal supported way). But since I'm familiar with VSCode, I'm going to use terminal in VSCode to use ClaudeCode.

First thing I would suggest doing in install ClaudeCode extension into VSCode.

Once extension is installed, you can go through onboarding wizard to get it configured. There are several ways you can use ClaudeAI models through ClaudeCode. 

Since I have pro subscription, I will use that. Note that using throug API is very costly. When you click on above button, it will link to your subscription.

Now ClaudeCode extention is configured. Let's get started... well not so fast. ClaudeCode actual program is still not installed in your computer (just the VS Extension is installed). You need to install it using PowerShell.

Here is the command for that (runs on powershell)

irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

Or you can download the installation from Antropic.

It take little bit time based on your internet speed to install ClaudeCode through powershell, so be patient. Once installed you need to add installation path to the "Path" environment variable for easy access.

Once ClaudeCode is configured, you can launch it through VSCode. There will be a Claude icon on top right hand corner in VSCode window.

Now that we have both installed and cofigure, open a terminal and let's go to the folder where we want to create the app (or where existing app is).

Then install bmad method with npx:

npx bmad-method install

Since you specify the version, it will ask to install the latest stable version:

Installation wizard starts and following screen appear. At the end of that screen it will ask directory to work.

You can accpet the current directory or give folder path to create a new. If it doesn't exists bmad will ask your permission to create it.

I have chosen bmad6test folder.

Then on next screen you need to select modules. BMAD is a platform where you have core framework and you can add modules according to your requirement. For example, if you developing a Game, you can install "BMad Game Dev Studio" module.

I have chosen BMad Agile-AI Driven Development module.

You can choose to install custom modules, but that for advanced users.

Then the most important decision, you will require to choose which AI tool you will be using BMAD method with.

As you can see Claude Code and Cursor is the preferred ones. But there are long list you can choose from including previously shown Github Copilot.

Next it will ask what should it call you (a name for your self).

Next it will ask, preferred language and output language, where output document should be saved and ect.

Module installation can be done express way or customized approach, but I choose express way and use all defaults (which suites me, but if you prefer you can test with custom approach).

That's it.

After BMAD installation, lets switch to the working directory and start VSCode.

Once you inside VSCode open ClaudeCode.

In the ClaudeCode prompt, you can start typing bmad commands and it will show what is available.

Good place to start is bmad-help method.

Google Antigravity

These days every one in developer world is talking about Google's Antigravity. So I was also curious  to find about it.

So what is Google's Antigravity? Well, it is Integrated Development Environment (i.e. IDE), similar to popular IDEs like cursor, windsurf and VSCode. Like all of above mentioned, it is a fork of VSCode.

So what is the uniqueness of that? Well, that's what I want to find out too. As per Google, it is not only an IDE, it is an agent management system. In order to find out about more, I decided to install and test.

You can download Google's Antigravity from this site. Available for Mac, Windows and some Linux distributions (e.g. Ubantu 20+). Windows installation is about 152 MB.

Setup starts with usual User Agreement screen:

Then you get to choose the installation location. You will require about 800 MB disk space for this. Next screen allows you to select additional tasks.

Installation is relatively quick (will depend on your computer/disk speed, took only 2min on mine).

Once installed, unlike VSCode, you are taken through setup wizard.

You can import your setting from other similar IDEs. But I choose to start fresh as I didn't want to effect all the testings I have done with other IDEs.

In next step you can select the theme (light, dark, solarized light, tokyo night). I choose dark of course.

Next step is vital. You get to choose how autonomus your agents will be within IDE.

Since this is local installation, agent get access can access all resource in your system, something you might not want to happen. There fore you can select how much freedom you are given to agents. You have 4 options:

• Secure mode is the safest, in this more agent will ask permission for everything before it go and do something.
• Review driven development (whic is the recomended), require you to review what agent is going to do before it does.
• Agent-driven development -> Give more freedome to agent to do most tasks.
• Custom configuraiton allows you to configure which tasks are allowed and which are not allowed.

In next step you configure your editor.

In order to use Antigravity for free, you need google and gmail account. Wizard will ask you to sign in to this account in next screen.

Final screen is on terms of use.

This is what opening screen looks like:

It is some what similar to VSCode. Note the "Agent Manager" button in the second row in middle. I think is the uniqueness of the IDE.

I will have a play and let you know how my experience is in future blogs.

Installing SSMS 22 for SQL 2025

 

Since we already have SQL Server Installation running from previous blog post, easiest thing was to launch the SSMS from same wizard.

Which will redirect you to this URL.

You will find a button to download the SSMS setup, save the exe to disk and run it.

Most probably the first thing you will see when you launch setup is setup downloading latest setup it self.

Note that SSMS installation also have the same UI as Visual Studio installation.

This is what you first presented with, similar to Visual Studio installation, now you need to select which components you are going to install for SSMS.

Core SSMS components are already selected and cannot be deselect (see right hand side column).

You can choose to install following components:

• AI Assistance (Github Copilot)
• Business Intelligence (SSAS, SSRS, SSIS tools integration with VS)
• Hybrid and Migration tools
• Code Tools (Version control -> GIT and Query Hints)

For my testing I have selected all.

For me it showed total disk requirement is 3.42GB (hmm).

You can further customize the installation by selecting/un-selecting individual components (if required) in "Individual Components" tab.

You can select additional language packs in next tab, if required. I have left it with English.

"Installation Locations" tab, you can change the default installation location.

Once you happy, with all configuration, press "Install" button.

During the installation, you will see following:

After the installation, you can launch the SSMS as you would do normally and here is the new splash screen with welcome changes:

New connection dialog box and new UI is also appealing:

Your recent connections can be found on the top, which is I think very useful feature. Rest of the dialog is familiar to any one who used SSMS 20. 

If you not already familiar with "Encryption" box on connection dialog (which was also in SSMS 20), make sure to select optional. Otherwise you will not be able to connect to SQL server which doesn't have an SSL connection.

Copilot window can be seen in the right side, which is also a interesting addition.

First thing I configured is "Color Theme" to new Dark Mode:

Oh I love that feature, which was missing for ages.

There are many more themes:

That's all for now. I will explore more and let you know if there are anything interesting.