# ralph-loop

> Continuous self-referential AI loops for interactive iterative development, implementing the Ralph Wiggum technique.

- Author: zero.one1step@gmail.com
- Repository: fawetian/agent-skills
- Version: 20260127001635
- Stars: 0
- Forks: 0
- Last Updated: 2026-02-06
- Source: https://github.com/fawetian/agent-skills
- Web: https://mule.run/skillshub/@@fawetian/agent-skills~ralph-loop:20260127001635

---

---
name: ralph-loop
description: Continuous self-referential AI loops for interactive iterative development, implementing the Ralph Wiggum technique.
source: https://github.com/anthropics/claude-plugins-official/tree/main/plugins/ralph-loop
---

# Ralph Loop

Ralph Loop implements the Ralph Wiggum technique: run a task in a continuous loop where the same prompt is fed back on each iteration, and the model sees its previous work in files and git history.

## /ralph-loop

Start a Ralph loop in the current session by running the setup script in this skill:

```bash
scripts/setup-ralph-loop.sh PROMPT [--max-iterations N] [--completion-promise TEXT]
```

After setup, work on the task. When you try to exit, the stop hook feeds the same prompt back for another iteration.

CRITICAL RULE: If a completion promise is set, you may ONLY output it when the statement is completely and unequivocally true.

### Options

- `--max-iterations <n>`: Maximum iterations before auto-stop.
- `--completion-promise <text>`: Promise phrase to signal completion.

### Completion promises

To signal completion, output:

```
<promise>YOUR_PROMISE</promise>
```

Do not output a false promise to escape the loop.

## /cancel-ralph

Cancel an active Ralph loop (removes the loop state file):

1. Check if `.claude/ralph-loop.local.md` exists.
2. If missing, reply: "No active Ralph loop found."
3. If present:
   - Read it to get `iteration: N`.
   - Remove the file.
   - Reply: "Cancelled Ralph loop (was at iteration N)".

## /ralph-help

Explain what Ralph Loop is and how to use it. Include:

- The core loop concept and why it is self-referential.
- The available commands: `/ralph-loop` and `/cancel-ralph`.
- Examples:
  - `/ralph-loop "Refactor the cache layer" --max-iterations 20`
  - `/ralph-loop "Add tests" --completion-promise "TESTS COMPLETE"`
- When to use and when not to use Ralph.
- Links:
  - https://ghuntley.com/ralph/
  - https://github.com/mikeyobrien/ralph-orchestrator

## Files

- `.claude/ralph-loop.local.md`: loop state file created by the setup script.
- `hooks/stop-hook.sh`: stop hook that enforces the loop.
- `scripts/setup-ralph-loop.sh`: setup script that initializes the loop state.