Agentic Loop

Autonomous AI coding loop for Claude Code.

You describe what you want to build. Claude Code writes a PRD (Product Requirements Document) with small, testable stories. Ralph executes each story automatically - coding, testing, and committing in a loop until everything passes.

What It Does and How to work with Agentic Loop

The Two-Terminal Workflow

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  TERMINAL 1: Claude CLI                │  TERMINAL 2: Execute                    │
├────────────────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                        │                                         │
│  claude --dangerously-skip-permissions │  npx agentic-loop run                   │
│                                        │                                         │
│  PLAN FEATURES                         │  ┌─ prd-check (once) ───────────────┐   │
│  /idea 'your feature or bugfix'        │  │ Validate all stories upfront     │   │
│  → Claude asks questions               │  │ Auto-fix missing test steps      │   │
│  → Explores codebase                   │  └──────────────────────────────────┘   │
│  → Generates PRD                       │            ↓                            │
│                                        │  ┌─ loop (per story) ───────────────┐   │
│  ENHANCE AS YOU LEARN                  │  │                                  │   │
│  → Add signs when Ralph repeats        │  │ Read prd.json → get next story   │   │
│    the same mistake                    │  │ Load PROMPT.md, signs, config    │   │
│  → Tune timeouts, retries, checks      │  │ Load last_failure.txt (if retry) │   │
│  → Refine test commands for your       │  │ Build prompt with full context   │   │
│    stack                               │  │ Spawn Claude → write code        │   │
│                                        │  │                                  │   │
│  (OPTIONAL) CUSTOMIZE YOUR LOOP        │  │ code-check:                      │   │
│  /my-dna      → your coding style      │  │   [1] Lint                       │   │
│  /styleguide  → UI consistency         │  │   [2] Tests                      │   │
│  /sign        → teach patterns         │  │   [3] PRD test steps             │   │
│  config.json  → tune your setup        │  │   [4] API smoke                  │   │
│                                        │  │   [5] Frontend smoke             │   │
│                                        │  │                                  │   │
│                                        │  │ Pass → commit, next story        │   │
│                                        │  │ Fail → save to last_failure.txt, │   │
│                                        │  │        retry                     │   │
│                                        │  └──────────────────────────────────┘   │
│                                        │                                         │
└────────────────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Terminal 1 is where you shape what gets built and how Ralph builds it. Terminal 2 is where Ralph executes autonomously.

Your loop gets smarter over time. When Ralph struggles with something, add a sign. When tests flake, tune the config. The customization never really stops—it's how you make Ralph work for your project.

Quick Start

Prerequisites: Node.js 18+, Claude Code CLI, jq (brew install jq)

npm install agentic-loop
npx agentic-loop setup

Terminal 1 - Claude Code:

claude --dangerously-skip-permissions
/tour                    # Guided walkthrough (recommended first time)
/idea 'your feature'     # Generate a PRD

Terminal 2 - Ralph Loop:

npx agentic-loop run         # Execute PRDs autonomously

Tip: Use two terminals. Plan with Claude in one, run Ralph in the other.

Docs

• Beginners Guide - New to this? Start here (no coding experience required)
• PRD Check - Story validation before coding starts
• Code Check - Verification pipeline after each story
• Customization - Personalization and guardrails
• How Ralph Works - Architecture, config, full reference
• Cheatsheet - All commands at a glance
• Hooks Reference - Pre-commit and Claude Code hooks
• Troubleshooting - Common issues and fixes
• Contributing - How to contribute

Inspired by Ralph and Anthropic's guidance on long-running agents.

Built by @allierays | MIT License - AllThrive AI