How do I install the Ralph Loop skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/ralph-loop-4 in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

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Is Ralph Loop free to use?

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Who published Ralph Loop?

tomevault-io (@tomevault-io) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Ralph Loop by tomevault-io — Agent Skill

Name: Ralph Loop
Author: tomevault-io

Ralph Loop

Execute an autonomous development loop that picks one task per iteration, implements it, verifies it, and commits the result — each iteration in a fresh context window. Use when user runs /ralph, mentions "ralph loop", "autonomous loop", "builder verifier", "run tasks automatically", "iterate on tasks", "develop autonomously", or wants an automated build-verify-commit cycle with task tracking. Use when this capability is needed.

tomevault-io Updated Sep 17, 2026

File contents

Ralph Loop Execution Protocol

Autonomous development with fresh context per iteration and Hat-lite builder/verifier workflow.

Quick Start

# From project directory (after /create-prd)
./ralph.sh 20          # Run up to 20 iterations
./ralph.sh 5           # Quick test with 5 iterations

How It Works

Each iteration runs in a fresh context window:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ITERATION (Fresh Context)                           │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 1. ORIENT: Read activity.log + tasks.json + memories│
│ 2. BUILD:  Pick ONE task, implement, verify        │
│ 3. VERIFY: Review, update status, commit           │
│ 4. LEARN:  (Optional) Save insights to memories    │
│ 5. DECIDE: All done? → RALPH_COMPLETE              │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Hat-Lite System

Role	When	Responsibility
Builder	~65% of iteration	Implement ONE task
Verifier	~35% of iteration	Review, update, commit

Key Files

File	Purpose
`.ralph/current-taskset/tasks.json`	Task state (source of truth)
`.ralph/current-taskset/activity.log`	Iteration history
`.ralph/current-taskset/memories.md`	Persistent learnings
`.ralph/current-taskset`	Symlink to active task set
`PROMPT.md`	Instructions per iteration
`ralph.sh`	Loop runner script

Task JSON Format

Tasks are stored in .ralph/current-taskset/tasks.json:

{
  "tasks": [
    {
      "id": "setup-001",
      "description": "Initialize project",
      "verificationTier": "build",
      "passes": false,
      "iteration_completed": null
    }
  ]
}

Valid verificationTier values: "build" (default), "visual", "api", "e2e". See WORKFLOW.md for details.

Completion Signal

When all tasks pass, output:

RALPH_COMPLETE: All tasks verified

Commands

Subcommands: /ralph run [N], /ralph status, /ralph init, /ralph taskset <new|list|switch|delete>, /ralph add-task, /ralph remember, /ralph memories.

Workflow Details

See WORKFLOW.md for the 5-phase iteration lifecycle (Orient, Build, Verify, Learn, Decide) and Hat-Lite role definitions.

Examples

See EXAMPLES.md for web app, API, resumption, and mid-loop status checking scenarios.

Troubleshooting

See TROUBLESHOOTING.md for immediate exit, premature completion, infinite loop, and context issues.

Converted and distributed by TomeVault — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.

---name: ralph-loop-4description: Execute an autonomous development loop that picks one task per iteration, implements it, verifies it, and commits the result — each iteration in a fresh context window. Use when user runs /ralph, mentions "ralph loop", "autonomous loop", "builder verifier", "run tasks automatically", "iterate on tasks", "develop autonomously", or wants an automated build-verify-commit cycle with task tracking. Use when this capability is needed.---# Ralph Loop Execution ProtocolAutonomous development with fresh context per iteration and Hat-lite builder/verifier workflow.## Quick Start```bash# From project directory (after /create-prd)./ralph.sh 20 # Run up to 20 iterations./ralph.sh 5 # Quick test with 5 iterations```## How It WorksEach iteration runs in a **fresh context window**:```┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐│ ITERATION (Fresh Context) │├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤│ 1. ORIENT: Read activity.log + tasks.json + memories││ 2. BUILD: Pick ONE task, implement, verify ││ 3. VERIFY: Review, update status, commit ││ 4. LEARN: (Optional) Save insights to memories ││ 5. DECIDE: All done? → RALPH_COMPLETE │└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘```## Hat-Lite System| Role | When | Responsibility ||------|------|----------------|| **Builder** | ~65% of iteration | Implement ONE task || **Verifier** | ~35% of iteration | Review, update, commit |## Key Files| File | Purpose ||------|---------|| `.ralph/current-taskset/tasks.json` | Task state (source of truth) || `.ralph/current-taskset/activity.log` | Iteration history || `.ralph/current-taskset/memories.md` | Persistent learnings || `.ralph/current-taskset` | Symlink to active task set || `PROMPT.md` | Instructions per iteration || `ralph.sh` | Loop runner script |## Task JSON FormatTasks are stored in `.ralph/current-taskset/tasks.json`:```json{ "tasks": [ { "id": "setup-001", "description": "Initialize project", "verificationTier": "build", "passes": false, "iteration_completed": null } ]}```Valid `verificationTier` values: `"build"` (default), `"visual"`, `"api"`, `"e2e"`. See [WORKFLOW.md](WORKFLOW.md) for details.## Completion SignalWhen all tasks pass, output:```RALPH_COMPLETE: All tasks verified```## CommandsSubcommands: `/ralph run [N]`, `/ralph status`, `/ralph init`, `/ralph taskset <new|list|switch|delete>`, `/ralph add-task`, `/ralph remember`, `/ralph memories`.## Workflow DetailsSee [WORKFLOW.md](WORKFLOW.md) for the 5-phase iteration lifecycle (Orient, Build, Verify, Learn, Decide) and Hat-Lite role definitions.## ExamplesSee [EXAMPLES.md](EXAMPLES.md) for web app, API, resumption, and mid-loop status checking scenarios.## TroubleshootingSee [TROUBLESHOOTING.md](TROUBLESHOOTING.md) for immediate exit, premature completion, infinite loop, and context issues.---> Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/joaquimscosta) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.

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