Ralph: An Infinite Loop That Turns LLMs Into Cheap, Tunable Software Builders

Ralph is a Bash-loop technique that continuously runs an AI coder with a standing prompt, producing fast iteration and compounding progress. Its predictable mistakes are corrected by adding constraints and clearer instructions, making outcomes increasingly reliable. With operator skill and uncapped tool calls, Ralph can replace much outsourcing for greenfield projects at a fraction of the cost.

Key Points

• Ralph is a simple infinite loop that repeatedly runs an AI coder against a persistent prompt, enabling rapid, iterative software creation.
• The method is "deterministically bad": it makes predictable errors that can be fixed through prompt tuning, constraints, and guardrails.
• Operator skill and deliberate practice are crucial; better prompts and tighter feedback transform Ralph’s output over time.
• Ralph has been used to build an esoteric programming language (CURSED) and to achieve striking ROI on real contracts with very low AI costs.
• The technique is tool-agnostic but works best without usage caps; some commercial plugins miss the core loop and thus underperform.