setup-ralph

Initialize the Ralph coding loop with directory structure and PRD scaffolds.

Updated Aug 23, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/cedricfressin/claude-config --skill setup-ralph
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: setup-ralph
Source: https://github.com/cedricfressin/claude-config/tree/main/skills/ralph-loop
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/cedricfressin/claude-config --skill setup-ralph

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires jq, and includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill automates the initial setup needed to run the Ralph autonomous coding loop. It creates the required directory structure, scaffolds, and starter files so teams can begin orchestrating PRDs and iterative development without manual setup.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Create the .claude/ralph directory and a runnable ralph.sh script to drive the loop.
  • Initialize a feature-specific task space: PRD.md, prd.json, and progress.txt under .claude/ralph/tasks/{feature}.
  • Provide a ready-to-run workflow that users can start with minimal commands and later customize.
  • Use cases: starting Ralph in a new project; preparing a feature PRD; resuming after interruption.

Quick Start

Run the setup script to initialize Ralph in your project, for example: setup-ralph /path/to/project -i setup-ralph . -f 01-feature-name

Frequently Asked Questions about setup-ralph

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I set up an autonomous coding loop for my project?

Setting up an autonomous coding loop involves running a setup script that creates the .claude/ralph workspace, a runnable ralph.sh script, and PRD scaffolds to drive iterative development without manual configuration.

How do I initialize a PRD scaffold for a specific feature?

To initialize a PRD scaffold for a specific feature, run the setup script with the project directory and the feature flag, such as setup-ralph . -f 01-feature-name, which creates PRD.md, prd.json, and progress.txt.

Do I need jq installed to bootstrap the Ralph autonomous workflow?

Yes, you need jq installed to bootstrap the Ralph autonomous workflow, as the setup process relies on this dependency to generate the configuration files and parse the PRD JSON scaffolds correctly.

What is an autonomous coding loop and how does it manage iterative development?

An autonomous coding loop is an automated workflow that orchestrates iterative development by driving a runnable script against a feature-specific task space, continuously updating progress.txt and referencing PRD.md to guide code generation.

Can I resume the autonomous coding workflow after an interruption?

Yes, you can resume the autonomous coding workflow after an interruption by running the setup script with the interactive flag on your existing project, which prepares the feature task space and allows the loop to pick up from the saved progress.

What are the limitations of using shell scripts for project bootstrapping?

Using shell scripts for project bootstrapping limits cross-platform compatibility and complex logic execution, requiring a Unix-like environment with jq installed to properly generate the directory structure and PRD scaffolds.