Zpankz Ralph Invoke Skill
Allows Claude to directly start Ralph-Wiggum autonomous loops without user commands.
Prerequisites
The ralph-wiggum plugin must be installed and enabled:
/plugin install ralph-wiggum@claude-code-plugins
/plugin enable ralph-wiggum@claude-code-plugins
Triggers
Use this skill when:
- User asks to "start a ralph loop" or "run ralph"
- User wants autonomous iteration on a task
- User says "keep working until done" or "iterate until complete"
- A complex task would benefit from multiple iterations
- User explicitly requests Claude to invoke ralph
How to Start a Ralph Loop
Run this bash command:
"$HOME/.claude/plugins/cache/claude-code-plugins/ralph-wiggum/1.0.0/scripts/setup-ralph-loop.sh" \
"<TASK_DESCRIPTION>" \
--max-iterations <N> \
--completion-promise "<PROMISE_TEXT>"
Parameters
| Parameter | Required | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| TASK_DESCRIPTION | Yes | - | The task to work on |
| --max-iterations | Recommended | unlimited | Safety limit (use 20-100) |
| --completion-promise | Recommended | null | Text to output when truly done |
Example Invocations
Simple task:
"$HOME/.claude/plugins/cache/claude-code-plugins/ralph-wiggum/1.0.0/scripts/setup-ralph-loop.sh" \
"Fix all TypeScript type errors" \
--max-iterations 50 \
--completion-promise "ALL_ERRORS_FIXED"
Complex refactor:
"$HOME/.claude/plugins/cache/claude-code-plugins/ralph-wiggum/1.0.0/scripts/setup-ralph-loop.sh" \
"Migrate all API handlers to the new v2 pattern" \
--max-iterations 100 \
--completion-promise "MIGRATION_COMPLETE"
How the Loop Works
- Claude runs the setup script → Creates state file at
.claude/ralph-loop.local.md - Claude works on the task → Normal operation
- Claude tries to exit → Stop hook intercepts
- Hook re-injects prompt → Claude continues with same task
- Repeat until:
- Max iterations reached, OR
- Claude outputs
<promise>PROMISE_TEXT</promise>
Completing the Loop
When the task is genuinely complete, output the completion promise in XML tags:
<promise>ALL_ERRORS_FIXED</promise>
CRITICAL RULES:
- Only output the promise when the statement is TRUE
- Do NOT lie to exit the loop
- Do NOT output false promises even if stuck
- Trust the process - if stuck, iterate and try differently
Canceling a Loop
If needed, cancel with:
rm .claude/ralph-loop.local.md
Or use: /ralph-wiggum:cancel-ralph
Best Practices
- Always set --max-iterations - Prevents runaway costs (50-100 is reasonable)
- Use specific completion promises - "ALL_TESTS_PASS" not "DONE"
- Include success criteria in task - Be explicit about what "done" means
- Monitor progress -
head -10 .claude/ralph-loop.local.md - Start small - Test with 3-5 iterations first
Cost Warning
Autonomous loops consume tokens rapidly. A 50-iteration loop can cost $50-100+ in API usage. Always use --max-iterations as a safety net.
Why This Skill Exists
The official ralph-wiggum plugin requires users to run /ralph-loop commands. This skill enables Claude to invoke loops directly, enabling:
- Claude-initiated iteration on complex tasks
- Programmatic loop triggers from other skills/agents
- Automated workflows without manual commands