ralph

Coordinate iterative development with test-driven backpressure and aide-based persistence.

15|4|Updated Feb 3, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/jmylchreest/aide --skill ralph-jmylchreest
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: ralph
Source: https://github.com/jmylchreest/aide/tree/main/skills/ralph
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/jmylchreest/aide --skill ralph-jmylchreest

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Ralph Wiggum methodology enables reliable, iterative development by leveraging test-driven backpressure and aide-based persistence to coordinate complex feature work across multiple agents.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Planning vs Building: Distinct phases with controlled behaviors to reduce scope creep.
  • Backpressure via Tests: Progress is gated by failing/passing tests to prevent regression.
  • Swarm-Friendly Coordination: Multiple agents can work in parallel with shared state stored in aide.
  • Aide-Based Persistence: All tasks, decisions, and discoveries are stored in aide rather than local files.

Quick Start

Trigger Ralph mode by saying the keyword ralph to begin planning and iterative development.

Frequently Asked Questions about ralph

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I coordinate parallel development with test-driven backpressure?

Test-driven backpressure gates iterative development progress by enforcing failing and passing tests to prevent regression. It coordinates parallel agents by applying controlled planning and building phases with shared state management.

What is test-driven backpressure for iterative task management?

Test-driven backpressure is a methodology that gates development progress through explicit gap analysis and atomic task execution. It prevents scope creep by separating planning from building and enforcing tests before advancing.

How do I start iterative development with the ralph keyword?

Trigger iterative development by saying the keyword ralph to initiate planning and task decomposition. This begins the controlled phases for test-driven backpressure and aide-based state persistence.

Can I use cross-agent coordination for swarm-enabled projects without local files?

Cross-agent coordination for swarm-enabled projects stores all tasks, decisions, and discoveries in aide rather than local files. This enables multiple agents to work in parallel with shared state persistence.

Does iterative development with backpressure checks prevent scope creep?

Backpressure checks prevent scope creep by separating planning and building into distinct phases with controlled behaviors. Progress is strictly gated by test results and explicit gap analysis to ensure atomic task execution.