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Ralph Autonomous Coding Loop
An AI agent system that autonomously builds software features by iteratively selecting, implementing, testing, and committing small user stories while the developer sleeps
How It Works
Breaks complex features into atomic user stories with clear acceptance criteria, then runs autonomous iterations where AI agents pick stories, implement code, test against criteria, commit changes, and update progress logs
Components
Write detailed Product Requirements Document (PRD)
Convert PRD to JSON with atomic user stories and acceptance criteria
Run Ralph bash script that manages the loop
Agent picks incomplete user story from queue
Agent implements code and tests against acceptance criteria
Agent commits changes and updates progress logs
Agent updates agents.md files with learnings
Loop continues until all stories are complete
When to Use
When building complex features that can be broken into small independent tasks, when you want overnight development, when you have clear requirements and acceptance criteria
When Not to Use
For exploratory or creative work without clear criteria, when requirements are vague, for tasks requiring human judgment or complex UX decisions
Anti-Patterns to Avoid
Example
“Developer wants to add user authentication system. Creates PRD describing login, registration, password reset. Converts to 8 small user stories like 'add login form with email validation', 'implement password hashing'. Runs Ralph overnight, wakes up to fully implemented and tested authentication system.”