Ralph Github Start Loop

Community

richtabor

ralph-github-start-loop

Runs autonomous loop fetching stories from GitHub Issues. Implements and closes issues as done. Triggers on "loop through my PRDs", "work on my issues", "start the autonomous loop", "implement my PRDs", or requests to work through GitHub issues autonomously.

Overview

Publisher	richtabor
Repository	`agent-skills`
Skill name	`ralph-github-start-loop`
Stars	70
Forks	11
Bundled files	2
Links	Skill source Repository Homepage

Markdown instructions
A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.
Works with any LLM
AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.
2 bundled files
Scripts, templates, and references the model can read while it works. Files are read-only and never executed.
Open source
Published by richtabor on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Ralph Github Start Loop AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
Choose "Install from GitHub".
Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.

Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/richtabor/agent-skills.git /tmp/agent-skills
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/agent-skills/skills/ralph-github-start-loop .claude/skills/ralph-github-start-loop

Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Ralph Github Start Loop in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Ralph Github Start Loop on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Ralph Github Start Loop is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

Loaded only when it is needed
The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.
Switch models mid-chat
Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Loop GitHub Issues

Run the autonomous loop to execute features from GitHub Issues.

Usage


/loop-github-issues              # Interactive: shows available PRDs and asks which to run
/loop-github-issues --all        # Run all available PRDs (no prompt)
/loop-github-issues auth-flow    # Run PRDs matching search term
/loop-github-issues 25           # Run with 25 iterations per PRD
/loop-github-issues --all 25     # Run all PRDs with 25 iterations each

When running non-interactively (background mode), --all is auto-enabled.

Prerequisites

gh CLI authenticated
PRD issues created via /ralph-github-create-issues (reads from .claude/plans/ or prds/)

Note: Assume gh extensions are installed. Do NOT try to install them.

Process

Check prerequisites (gh auth status)
Run the script directly - it handles PRD selection and filtering:

bash
~/.claude/skills/loop-github-issues/loop-github-issues.sh [iterations] [prd-search-term] [--all]

Use run_in_background: true to prevent timeout.

Monitoring progress:

Local status: cat /tmp/ralph-status-{repo}-{prd-number}.txt
GitHub: Comments are posted to the PRD issue as stories complete

Important: Don't list PRDs separately before running - the script shows available PRDs (excluding those with open PRs) and handles selection.

What It Does

Lists open PRD issues (identified by prd label) that don't already have open PRs
Prompts user to select which PRD(s) to work on (or auto-selects in background mode)
For each selected PRD:
- Assigns issue to current user (shows as in progress)
- Creates git worktree at ../{repo}-{feature}/
- For each iteration:
  - Passes all open sub-issues to the agent
  - Agent picks the logical next story based on dependencies
  - Implements the story
  - Commits: feat: Story Title (closes #XXX)
  - Closes sub-issue with link to commit
- When all sub-issues closed, creates PR (parent PRD closes on merge)
- Cleans up worktree

Differences from `/ralph`

Aspect	`/ralph` (JSON)	`/loop-github-issues` (GitHub)
Story source	`prds/*.json`	GitHub Issues
Status tracking	`passes: true/false`	Issue open/closed
Dependencies	`dependsOn` array	Native GitHub blocking
Completion	Update JSON	Close issue
PRD done	All stories pass	All sub-issues closed

Dependencies

Ralph-issues checks GitHub's native blocking relationships. PRDs with open blocking issues are skipped.

The script queries the blockedBy field via GraphQL to determine if a PRD is ready to start.

Issue Conventions

Finding PRD Issues

bash
gh issue list --label prd --state open --json number,title,body

Finding Story Sub-Issues

Uses the gh-sub-issue extension:

bash
gh sub-issue list <parent-number> --state open --json number,title,body

Closing Issues

On story completion:

bash
gh issue close 101 --comment "Implemented in https://github.com/owner/repo/commit/abc123"

Parent PRD issues close automatically when the PR is merged (via Closes #XX in PR body).

Branch Naming

Uses conventional prefixes parsed from the PRD issue body:

feature/<name> for enhancements
bugfix/<name> for bug fixes

Notes

Run multiple Ralph instances in parallel on independent PRDs (separate terminals)
Each works in its own worktree, no conflicts
Commits include closes #XXX to auto-close issues on merge

Bundled files

The model reads these on demand while the skill is loaded. They are exposed as readable files and are never executed.

loop-github-issues.sh17 KB
references/prompt.md3 KB

Frequently asked questions

What does the Ralph Github Start Loop AI skill do?

Why use Ralph Github Start Loop on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Ralph Github Start Loop is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Ralph Github Start Loop in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/richtabor/agent-skills/tree/main/skills/ralph-github-start-loop. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and bundles its files and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Ralph Github Start Loop?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Ralph Github Start Loop?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Ralph Github Start Loop with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Ralph Github Start Loop AI skill free?

It is published on GitHub by richtabor. Check the repository for licensing terms. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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Overview

Installation

Install in TypingMind

Install in another agent

Use it in TypingMind

Works with any AI model

Skill instructions

Loop GitHub Issues

Usage

Prerequisites

Process

What It Does

Differences from /ralph

Dependencies

Issue Conventions

Finding PRD Issues

Finding Story Sub-Issues

Closing Issues

Branch Naming

Notes

Bundled files

Frequently asked questions

Related AI Skills

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Differences from `/ralph`