---
name: ralph
description: "RalphLoop 'Tackle Until Solved' - Autonomous agent iteration for complex tasks. Use this for architecture, systems, multi-step implementations. Always uses Ralph Orchestrator."
---

# RalphLoop "Tackle Until Solved" Autonomous Agent

This is an alias for `/brainstorming` with `RALPH_AUTO=true` always enabled. Use this for complex tasks that benefit from autonomous iteration until completion.

## When to Use

Use `/ralph` for:
- Architecture and system design
- Multi-step implementations (5+ steps)
- Complex features requiring multiple iterations
- Tasks with multiple phases or dependencies
- Production-quality implementations
- "Tackle until solved" scenarios

## What It Does

When you invoke `/ralph`, it automatically:
1. Analyzes task complexity
2. Delegates to Ralph Orchestrator for autonomous iteration
3. Runs continuous improvement loops until completion
4. Presents validated design/implementation

## Usage

```
/ralph "Build a multi-tenant SaaS platform with authentication, billing, and real-time notifications"
```

## How Ralph Works

Ralph runs autonomous iterations:
1. Creates task in `.ralph/PROMPT.md` with success criteria
2. Iterates continuously until all criteria are met
3. Updates progress in `.ralph/state.json`
4. Outputs final result to `.ralph/iterations/final.md`

**Configuration:**
- Max iterations: 100 (configurable via `RALPH_MAX_ITERATIONS`)
- Max runtime: 4 hours (configurable via `RALPH_MAX_RUNTIME`)
- Agent: Claude (configurable via `RALPH_AGENT`)

## Difference from /brainstorming

| Feature | /brainstorming | /ralph |
|---------|----------------|--------|
| Simple tasks | Direct mode, fast | Still uses Ralph |
| Complex tasks | Auto-delegates to Ralph | Always uses Ralph |
| User control | Manual opt-in available | Always autonomous |
| Best for | Quick decisions, features | Architecture, systems |

## Environment Variables

```bash
# Choose agent
RALPH_AGENT=claude|gemini|kiro|q|auto

# Max iterations
RALPH_MAX_ITERATIONS=100

# Max runtime (seconds)
RALPH_MAX_RUNTIME=14400  # 4 hours

# Enable verbose output
RALPH_VERBOSE=true
```

## Files Created

```
.ralph/
├── PROMPT.md       # Task with success criteria
├── ralph.yml       # Configuration
├── state.json      # Progress tracking
└── iterations/
    ├── 001.md      # First iteration
    ├── 002.md      # Second iteration
    └── final.md    # Validated result
```

## Monitoring Progress

While Ralph is running:
```bash
# Check state
cat .ralph/state.json | jq '.iteration, .status'

# View latest iteration
cat .ralph/iterations/final.md
```

## Examples

**Architecture:**
```
/ralph "Design a microservices architecture for an e-commerce platform"
```

**Multi-step feature:**
```
/ralph "Implement authentication, authorization, and user management"
```

**System integration:**
```
/ralph "Integrate Stripe billing with webhooks and subscription management"
```

## Stopping Ralph

Press `Ctrl+C` to stop. Ralph saves progress and can be resumed later.

## Technical Details

- Wrapper: `/home/uroma/obsidian-web-interface/bin/ralphloop`
- Integration: `/home/uroma/.claude/skills/brainstorming/ralph-integration.py`
- Ralph Orchestrator: https://github.com/mikeyobrien/ralph-orchestrator