Brain Dump Universal Quality Workflow

Canonical source: src/api/ralph.ts → getRalphPrompt().
This skill provides a quick reference. The system prompt has the full workflow.

MANDATORY 5-Step Sequence

Every ticket MUST go through these steps using MCP tools. Never skip any.

Step 1: Start Work

Call workflow "start-work"({ ticketId: "<id>" }) BEFORE writing any code.

This creates a git branch, sets status to in_progress, and posts a "Starting work" comment.

Step 2: Implement + Verify

Write code, then discover and run this project's validation commands:

• Check project docs/config first: AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, README, CONTRIBUTING, package scripts, pyproject.toml, go.mod, Makefile/Justfile, and CI files.
• Use the project's own commands. Do not assume pnpm, npm, TypeScript, lint, or test scripts exist.
• Common examples only: package script check/test/lint, pytest/ruff when configured, go test ./..., cargo test, dotnet test, mvn test, ./gradlew test.
• If no automated validation command is discoverable, run a targeted manual smoke check and record that no project validation command was found.
• When available, skill/brain-dump-workflow/scripts/run-quality-checks.sh can be used as a discovery helper.

Commit with format: feat(<ticket-short-id>): <description>

Step 3: Complete Implementation

Call workflow "complete-work"({ ticketId: "<id>", summary: "<what you did>" })

This moves ticket to ai_review and posts a work summary comment.

Step 4: AI Review (via MCP tools — NOT local review skills)

IMPORTANT: Do NOT use local /review skills, subagents, or code review tools. Perform self-review by reading your own diffs, then record findings via MCP.

For each issue found, you MUST invoke the MCP tool:

review "submit-finding"({ ticketId, agent: "code-reviewer", severity, category, description })

Verify you receive a findingId in the response for each submission.

Fix critical/major issues, then invoke:

review "mark-fixed"({ findingId, fixStatus: "fixed" })

Verify: review "check-complete"({ ticketId }) — response must contain canProceedToHumanReview: true

Step 5: Generate Demo + STOP

Call review "generate-demo"({ ticketId, steps: [{ order, description, expectedOutcome, type }] })

Include 3-7 manual test steps. Ticket moves to human_review.

STOP HERE. Do NOT continue. Only humans can approve tickets.

DO NOT

• Skip any step above
• Set ticket status to "done" directly
• Continue working after generating demo
• Write code before calling workflow "start-work"
• Use local review skills or subagents instead of review "submit-finding"
• Describe demo steps in text instead of calling review "generate-demo"
• Create git branches manually instead of using workflow "start-work"
• Use any local alternative when an MCP tool exists for the step

Severity Guide (for Step 4)

Demo Step Types (for Step 5)

Reference Docs

For detailed guidance on specific phases, see:

• reference/review-guide.md -- Self-review checklist and review agent details
• reference/troubleshooting.md -- Common errors and recovery steps