---
name: ralph-loop-3583d0868329
description: Start a Ralph Loop for iterative self-referential development. Use when the user asks to run a ralph loop, start an iterative loop, or wants repeated autonomous iteration on a task until completion.
---

# Ralph Loop

## Trigger

The user wants to start a Ralph loop. An iterative development loop where the same prompt is fed back after every turn, and the agent sees its own previous work each iteration.

## Workflow

1. Gather the user's task prompt and optional parameters:
   - `max_iterations` (number, default 0 for unlimited)
   - `completion_promise` (text, or "null" if not set)

2. Create the directory `.cursor/ralph/` if it doesn't exist, then write the state file at `.cursor/ralph/scratchpad.md` with this exact format:

   ```markdown
   ---
   iteration: 1
   max_iterations: <N or 0>
   completion_promise: "<TEXT>" or null
   ---

   <the user's task prompt goes here>
   ```

   Example:
   ```markdown
   ---
   iteration: 1
   max_iterations: 20
   completion_promise: "COMPLETE"
   ---

   Build a REST API for todos with CRUD operations, input validation, and tests.
   ```

3. Confirm to the user that the Ralph loop is active, then begin working on the task.

4. The stop hook automatically intercepts each turn end and feeds the same prompt back as a followup message. You will see it prefixed with `[Ralph loop iteration N.]`.

## Guardrails

- If a completion promise is set, you may ONLY output `<promise>TEXT</promise>` when the statement is completely and genuinely true.
- Do not output false promises to escape the loop.
- Always recommend setting `max_iterations` as a safety net.
- Quote the `completion_promise` value in the YAML frontmatter if it contains special characters.

## Output

Confirm the loop is active (prompt, iteration limit, promise if set), then start working on the task immediately.


---
Source attribution: cursor
Original project: https://github.com/cursor/plugins/blob/c742dd61706fbacc1b95f1a20b7b988cf096ce6c/ralph-loop/skills/ralph-loop/SKILL.md
License: MIT
License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit
Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Mega AI Hub.

## Upstream license notice

MIT License

Copyright (c) 2026 Cursor

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.



# Mega AI Hub resource metadata

Creator / publisher: cursor
Original project: https://github.com/cursor/plugins/blob/c742dd61706fbacc1b95f1a20b7b988cf096ce6c/ralph-loop/skills/ralph-loop/SKILL.md
Attribution basis: Source repository record

Fields of work: Development & Engineering, Product Management, Project & Program Management
Roles: Backend Developer, Frontend Developer, Full-Stack Developer, Product Manager, Project Manager
Specialties: Specialty not specified
Tools: Tool not specified
Country applicability: Country not specified
Classification basis: Source catalog labels
Instruction SHA-256: de6a861390fc830106f54385f53a4719b0108ac84ef0c78638e6ca8488654200