---
description: Start a Ralph Wiggum loop for iterative development
---
# Ralph Loop Command
You are starting a Ralph Wiggum loop. This is an iterative development technique where you work on the same task repeatedly, seeing your previous work in files and git history.
## Setup Instructions
Execute the following steps to initialize the Ralph loop:
1. Parse the arguments from: `$ARGUMENTS`
Arguments format: `<PROMPT> [--max-iterations N] [--completion-promise TEXT]`
- Extract the main prompt (everything that isn't a flag or flag value)
- Extract `--max-iterations` value if provided (default: 0 for unlimited)
- Extract `--completion-promise` value if provided (default: null)
2. Create the state file at `ralph-loop.local.md` (in the project root) with this exact format:
```markdown
---
active: true
iteration: 1
max_iterations: <MAX_ITERATIONS_VALUE>
completion_promise: <COMPLETION_PROMISE_VALUE_OR_null>
started_at: "<CURRENT_ISO_TIMESTAMP>"
---
<THE_PROMPT_TEXT>
```
3. Output the activation message:
```
Ralph loop activated!
Iteration: 1
Max iterations: <N or "unlimited">
Completion promise: <TEXT or "none (runs forever)">
The Ralph plugin will now monitor for session idle events. When you complete
your response, the same prompt will be fed back to continue the loop.
To stop the loop:
- Output <promise>YOUR_PROMISE</promise> if a completion promise is set
- Wait for max iterations to be reached
- Run /cancel-ralph to cancel manually
```
4. If a completion promise is set, display this critical warning:
```
CRITICAL - Ralph Loop Completion Promise
To complete this loop, output this EXACT text:
<promise>YOUR_PROMISE_HERE</promise>
STRICT REQUIREMENTS:
- Use <promise> XML tags EXACTLY as shown above
- The statement MUST be completely and unequivocally TRUE
- Do NOT output false statements to exit the loop
- Do NOT lie even if you think you should exit
IMPORTANT: Even if you believe you're stuck or the task is impossible,
you MUST NOT output a false promise. The loop continues until the
promise is GENUINELY TRUE.
```
5. Now begin working on the task from the prompt. The Ralph plugin will automatically continue feeding you the same prompt when you complete your response.
## Example Usage
```
/ralph-loop Build a REST API for todos --completion-promise "DONE" --max-iterations 20
/ralph-loop Fix the auth bug --max-iterations 10
/ralph-loop Refactor the cache layer
```