/mission-ralph - Automatic Background Execution

Launch the Ralph loop in background. Runs automatically until all tasks complete or a critical blocker halts execution.

The Process

1. Validate feature - Check feature exists and has tasks
2. Activate feature - Run bd update FEATURE_ID --status in_progress
3. Ask launch mode - "Start Ralph in mprocs (visible) or background (invisible)?"
4. Launch Ralph:
   • If background: Run the script directly
   • If visible: Print the command for user to run in a new terminal window
5. Inform user - Tell them how to monitor progress
6. Exit - HOUSTON's job is done, Ralph takes over

Launch Command

bash skills/mission-ralph/scripts/ralph.sh FEATURE_ID &

Or with visible mode (mprocs TUI):

bash skills/mission-ralph/scripts/ralph.sh FEATURE_ID --visible

What Ralph Does

Ralph spawns fresh Pods for each task in a loop:

1. Get next ready task via bd ready
2. Spawn Pod (Scout -> Worker -> Inspector -> Analyst -> Airlock)
3. Handle result (complete, retry, or create blocking bug)
4. Continue until no tasks remain or critical halt

Each Pod includes a Scout phase that gathers codebase context before Worker executes.

User Communication

If background mode:

HOUSTON: Ralph loop launched for feature FEATURE_ID.

         Ralph runs automatically in background.
         Check progress: /capcom

         You'll be notified on:
         - Feature completion
         - Critical blocker (requires intervention)

         Safe to close this session.

If visible mode:

HOUSTON: Run this command in a new terminal window:

         bash skills/mission-ralph/scripts/ralph.sh FEATURE_ID --visible

         This opens mprocs with live task progress.
         Check status anytime: /capcom

Monitoring

• /capcom - Check feature status and task progress
• bd list --parent FEATURE_ID - See all tasks
• bd ready - See what's next in queue
• bd dep tree FEATURE_ID - See task hierarchy and status

Exit Codes