implement

Ralph Loop Prompt Generator — Phase 6

Generate a Ralph Loop-compatible prompt for: $ARGUMENTS

Prerequisites

Read:

• output/<slug>/05-implementation.md — the full spec
• output/<slug>/04-architecture-decisions.md — tech choices
• output/<slug>/03-validation.md — MVP scope

If missing, tell the user to run earlier phases first.

Process

1. Analyze the Spec

From the implementation spec, extract:

• All P0 features (must-ship for MVP)
• The implementation phase order
• The chosen tech stack
• Database schema requirements
• API endpoints
• Success metrics

2. Generate Ralph Loop Prompt

Create a prompt optimized for Ralph Loop's iterative execution model.

The prompt must include:

• Clear project description referencing the spec file
• Ordered implementation steps (from the spec's implementation phases)
• Testable success criteria derived from P0 features and acceptance criteria
• Completion promise — the exact string Ralph Loop watches for

Write draft to output/<slug>/RALPH-PROMPT.md:

# Ralph Loop Prompt

## Command
\`\`\`
/ralph-loop "<prompt>" --max-iterations <N> --completion-promise "DONE"
\`\`\`

## Prompt Content
<the generated prompt>

## Success Criteria
<checklist of what must be true for completion>

## Notes
- Estimated iterations needed: <N>
- Key risks during implementation: <list>
- Manual steps required before running: <list>

The prompt itself should follow this structure:

1. Reference to spec file location
2. Tech stack and project setup instructions
3. Implementation order (most critical path first)
4. Explicit success criteria as a checklist
5. "When ALL of the above are complete and verified, output exactly: DONE"

3. Present Draft to User

Show the generated Ralph Loop command and prompt. Ask user:

• "Does the scope look right for autonomous implementation?"
• "Adjust success criteria? Change max iterations?"
• "Any constraints or things to watch out for?"
• "Any manual setup steps needed before running? (API keys, accounts, etc.)"

4. Finalize

Incorporate user feedback. Write final version to output/<slug>/RALPH-PROMPT.md.

Print the final command clearly so user can copy and run it.

Guidelines

• Keep the prompt focused — Ralph Loop works best with clear, bounded scope
• Success criteria must be machine-verifiable (tests pass, server starts, endpoints respond)
• Suggest conservative --max-iterations (10-20 for MVP, more for larger scope)
• Include setup steps that must happen BEFORE running Ralph Loop (e.g., create database, set env vars)
• Warn about things Ralph Loop can't do (e.g., create third-party accounts, configure DNS)