Openclaw Ralph Loop

Ralph Loop

Overview

This skill guides OpenClaw agents to execute Ralph Loop workflows using the exec and process tools. The agent orchestrates AI coding agent sessions following the Ralph playbook flow:

• Define Requirements → JTBD → Focus Topics → specs/*.md

• PLANNING Loop → Create/update IMPLEMENTATION_PLAN.md (do not implement)

• BUILDING Loop → Implement tasks, run tests (backpressure), update plan, commit

The loop persists context via PROMPT.md + AGENTS.md (loaded each iteration) and the plan/specs on disk.

How This Skill Works

This skill generates instructions for OpenClaw agents to execute Ralph Loops using the exec and process tools.

• The agent calls exec tool with the coding agent command

• Uses pty: true to provide TTY for interactive CLIs

• Uses background: true for monitoring capabilities

• Uses process tool to monitor progress and detect completion

Important: Users don't run these scripts directly - the OpenClaw agent executes them using its tool capabilities.

TTY Requirements

Some coding agents require a real terminal (TTY) to work properly, or they will hang:

Interactive CLIs (need TTY):

• OpenCode, Codex, Claude Code, Pi, Goose

Non-interactive CLIs (file-based):

• aider, custom scripts

Solution: Use exec + process mode for interactive CLIs, simple loops for file-based tools.

Agent Tool Usage Patterns

Interactive CLIs (Recommended Pattern)

For OpenCode, Codex, Claude Code, Pi, and Goose - these require TTY support:

When I (the agent) receive a Ralph Loop request, I will:

• Use exec tool to launch the coding agent: exec tool with parameters:

  • command: "opencode run --model "$(cat PROMPT.md)""
  • workdir:
  • background: true
  • pty: true
  • yieldMs: 60000
  • timeout: 3600

• Capture session ID from exec tool response

• Use process tool to monitor: process tool with:

  • action: "poll"
  • sessionId: process tool with:
  • action: "log"
  • sessionId:
  • offset: -30 (for recent output)

• Check completion by reading IMPLEMENTATION_PLAN.md for sentinel text

• Clean up with process kill if needed: process tool with:

  • action: "kill"
  • sessionId:

Benefits: TTY support, real-time logs, timeout handling, parallel sessions, workdir isolation