Framework · Orchestration Frameworks

ChatDev

Communicative multi-agent framework for software development that runs a waterfall SDLC (design → coding → testing → documentation) through role-specialised LLM agents (CEO, CPO, CTO, Programmer, Reviewer, Tester) chained via natural-language conversations.

Description

ChatDev (2.0 now branded DevAll) is OpenBMB's multi-agent framework that simulates an entire virtual software company. Each phase of the waterfall — high-level design, requirements analysis, coding, testing, documentation — is delegated to a pair of agents in conversation (e.g. CTO ↔ Programmer for coding). The framework is built on CAMEL-style role-playing dialogues and produces a fully-runnable software project as output, complete with code, tests, and docs. ChatDev is one of the most-cited Chinese-origin multi-agent frameworks and the canonical reference for role-specialised SDLC pipelines.

Solution

Waterfall pipeline. A configuration file enumerates phases (DemandAnalysis, LanguageChoose, Coding, CodeReviewComment, CodeReviewModification, Test, EnvironmentDoc, Manual) and assigns each phase a pair of role-playing agents. Each phase runs as a multi-turn role-playing dialogue between the two assigned agents (e.g. Tester ↔ Programmer) until a phase-specific termination criterion is met. Outputs (code, docs) accumulate in a shared workspace passed across phases.

Primary use cases

  • research on multi-agent software development with role specialisation
  • rapid generation of small-to-medium software projects from a single prompt
  • study of communicative-dehallucination protocols between paired LLM agents
  • educational demonstration of SOP-driven multi-agent collaboration

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