Startup Flow

Loop

A self-sustaining development loop with two modes: Researcher and Implementor.

Prerequisites

Full permissions required. The loop runs autonomously and needs unrestricted access.

Startup Flow

When this command is invoked, ask the user FOUR questions using AskUserQuestion, then one text prompt:

Question 1: Mode (AskUserQuestion)

• Question: "Which mode would you like to run?"
• Options:
  1. Research - Explore, investigate, and plan. Creates specs for implementation.
  2. Implement - Execute on specs. Write code, tests, and documentation.

Question 2: Git Workflow (AskUserQuestion)

• Question: "What should happen after each task?"
• Options:
  • Push - Commit and push to current branch (default)
  • Commit only - Commit locally, no push
  • Open PR - Open PR, wait for CI (no merge)
  • PR and merge - Open PR, wait for CI, then auto-merge

Question 3: Context Management (AskUserQuestion)

• Question: "Should each iteration start with fresh context?"
• Options:
  • Fresh context - Clear context between iterations (default, recommended)
  • Keep context - Maintain conversation history across iterations

Question 4: Directions (AskUserQuestion - optional)

• Question: "Any specific directions for this run?"
• Options (mode-aware, user can select "Other" for custom):
  • None - No specific directions, work autonomously
  • For Research mode:
    • Focus on specs - Review and improve existing implementation specs
    • Explore dependencies - Research external libraries and frameworks
  • For Implement mode:
    • Fix issues first - Prioritize fixing build errors and warnings
    • Skip tests - Focus on implementation, skip test writing for now

Question 5: Iterations (Text prompt - NOT AskUserQuestion)

After the AskUserQuestion completes, ask:

"How many iterations? Enter a number, 'inf' for infinite, or 'comp' for until complete:"

Parse the response:

• Number (e.g., "2", "5", "10") → exact iteration count
• "inf", "infinite", "-1" → infinite mode (-1)
• "comp", "complete", "0" → until complete mode (0)

After collecting answers:

1. Initialize loop state by running: "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/setup-loop.sh" <mode> --iterations <N> --git-workflow <workflow> [--fresh-context] [--directions "..."]
2. Build the prompt by combining mode-specific + shared content:
   • Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/<mode>-loop.md
   • Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/loop-shared.md
   • Concatenate: mode-specific + shared
3. Begin execution based on context mode

Fresh context mode (default): You are the orchestrator. Run this loop:

iteration = 0
PROMPT = contents of <mode>-loop.md + "\n\n" + contents of loop-shared.md

LOOP:
    iteration += 1
    print "=== Iteration {iteration} ==="
    result = Task(prompt=PROMPT, subagent_type="general-purpose")

    # Check termination
    if iterations == 0 and result contains "RANDROID_LOOP_COMPLETE":
        EXIT LOOP
    elif iterations > 0 and iteration >= iterations:
        EXIT LOOP

    GOTO LOOP

CRITICAL: After each Task returns, check for completion promise or iteration limit. If neither → spawn another Task.

Modes

Research Mode

• Creates research: prefixed dots for exploration
• Creates implement: prefixed dots as deliverables
• Does NOT write production code

Implementor Mode

• Pulls from ready implement: dots
• Writes code, tests, and documentation
• Creates new dots if scope expands

Loop Termination

Output <promise>RANDROID_LOOP_COMPLETE</promise> when:

• No more ready tasks for your mode
• All work is committed and pushed