---

name: ralph-red description: Execute RED phase of TDD for Ralph automation. Complete test specification & generation with gate tracking and artifact storage. Use via Skill tool in Ralph loops. triggers: ["ralph red", "ralph-red", "TDD red phase ralph", "autonomous red phase"] version: 1.0 last_updated: 2026-01-03

Ralph RED Phase Skill

Execute the complete RED phase (test specification & generation) as part of autonomous Ralph TDD workflow.

Invocation

Skill(skill: "ralph-red", args: "[fase-dir] [feature] ops:[operations]")

Examples:

Skill(skill: "ralph-red", args: "fase-01 'Foundation Schema' ops:createConversation,listConversations")
Skill(skill: "ralph-red", args: "fase-02 'Tool Validation' ops:validateToolSection,generateToolText")

Input Parsing

Arg	Format	Example
fase-dir	fase-XX	fase-01
feature	Quoted string	'Foundation Schema'
operations	ops: prefix, comma-separated	ops:createConversation,listConversations

Output

• Promise: <promise>RED_PHASE_COMPLETE</promise>
• Artifact: [fase-dir]/gates.json with RED phase gate status
• Progress: [fase-dir]/tests/PROGRESS.md with step-by-step completion log
• Test files: Committed to git

---

Gate Variables

GATE_RED_EXPLORE_DONE     = false  # After Step 1
GATE_RED_PLAN_DONE        = false  # After Step 2
GATE_RED_REVIEW_APPROVED  = false  # After Step 3 APPROVES
GATE_RED_TESTS_GENERATED  = false  # After Step 4
GATE_RED_AUDIT_PASSED     = false  # After Step 6 PASSES

---

Step-by-Step Execution

Step 0: SETUP

1. Parse input args (fase-dir, feature, operations)
2. Validate fase directory exists: [sprint-dir]/[fase-dir]/
3. Create tests/ subdirectory if not exists
4. Initialize gates.json with all gates false
5. Initialize PROGRESS.md for step tracking
6. Update fase task status (Task Tracking)

Execute:

mkdir -p [fase-dir]/tests

Task Tracking:

// Find fase task by gatesPath
TaskList(); // → find task with metadata.gatesPath matching [fase-dir]/gates.json

TaskUpdate(faseTaskId, {
  status: "in_progress",
  metadata: {
    ...existing,
    currentPhase: "RED",
    startedAt: "[ISO_TIMESTAMP]",
  },
});

Write: [fase-dir]/gates.json

{
  "fase": "[FASE_NR]",
  "feature": "[FEATURE]",
  "operations": ["op1", "op2"],
  "red": {
    "GATE_RED_EXPLORE_DONE": false,
    "GATE_RED_PLAN_DONE": false,
    "GATE_RED_REVIEW_APPROVED": false,
    "GATE_RED_TESTS_GENERATED": false,
    "GATE_RED_AUDIT_PASSED": false,
    "started_at": "[ISO_TIMESTAMP]"
  }
}

Write: [fase-dir]/tests/PROGRESS.md

# RED Phase Progress - Fase [FASE_NR]: [FEATURE]

**Started:** [ISO_TIMESTAMP]
**Status:** IN_PROGRESS

## Step Completion Log

| Step | Description         | Status | Completed At | Notes                                  |
| ---- | ------------------- | ------ | ------------ | -------------------------------------- |
| 0    | Setup               | ✅     | [TIMESTAMP]  | Initialized gates.json and PROGRESS.md |
| 1    | Explore             | ⏳     | -            | -                                      |
| 2    | Plan                | ⏳     | -            | -                                      |
| 3    | Architecture Review | ⏳     | -            | -                                      |
| 4    | Generate Tests      | ⏳     | -            | -                                      |
| 5    | Verify Execution    | ⏳     | -            | -                                      |
| 6    | Quality Audit       | ⏳     | -            | -                                      |
| 7    | Verify Tests RED    | ⏳     | -            | -                                      |
| 8    | Write Artifacts     | ⏳     | -            | -                                      |
| 9    | Pre-Commit Check    | ⏳     | -            | -                                      |
| 10   | Git Commit          | ⏳     | -            | -                                      |
| 11   | Output Promise      | ⏳     | -            | -                                      |

## Gates Status

- [ ] GATE_RED_EXPLORE_DONE
- [ ] GATE_RED_PLAN_DONE
- [ ] GATE_RED_REVIEW_APPROVED
- [ ] GATE_RED_TESTS_GENERATED
- [ ] GATE_RED_AUDIT_PASSED

---

Step 1: EXPLORE [GATE: GATE_RED_EXPLORE_DONE]

Invoke:

Task(
  subagent_type='Explore',
  model='haiku',
  thoroughness='very thorough',
  prompt="""
  Gather context for [FEATURE] (Fase [FASE_NR]):

  Operations to implement: [OPERATIONS]

  Search for:
  1. Similar operations in src/server/*/operations.ts
  2. Existing test patterns in src/server/**/*.test.ts
  3. Relevant models in schema.prisma
  4. Permission patterns in src/permissions/
  5. Validation patterns (Zod schemas)
  6. Error handling patterns

  Output: Context summary with file paths and patterns found.
  """
)

After completion:

• Update gates.json: GATE_RED_EXPLORE_DONE = true
• Update PROGRESS.md: Step 1 → ✅, add context files found
• TodoWrite: Mark Step 1 completed

---

Step 2: PLAN [GATE: GATE_RED_PLAN_DONE]

Blocked until: GATE_RED_EXPLORE_DONE = true

Invoke:

Task(
  subagent_type='Plan',
  model='sonnet',
  prompt="""
  Create test strategy for [FEATURE] (Fase [FASE_NR]):

  Operations to test: [OPERATIONS]

  For EACH operation, plan tests for:
  1. Happy path (authenticated user, valid input)
  2. Auth failure (401 - not authenticated)
  3. Permission failure (403 - wrong role/org)
  4. Validation failure (400 - invalid input)
  5. Not found (404 - entity doesn't exist)
  6. Edge cases (empty, null, boundaries)

  Output:
  - Test scenarios list with expected outcomes
  - Mock strategy (unit vs integration)
  - Coverage targets (≥80% statements, ≥75% branches)
  - Test file locations
  """
)

After completion:

• Update gates.json: GATE_RED_PLAN_DONE = true
• Update PROGRESS.md: Step 2 → ✅, add test scenario count
• Write: [fase-dir]/tests/test-plan.md
• TodoWrite: Mark Step 2 completed

---

Step 3: ARCHITECTURE REVIEW [GATE: GATE_RED_REVIEW_APPROVED] - CRITICAL

Blocked until: GATE_RED_PLAN_DONE = true

Invoke:

Task(
  subagent_type='wasp-backend-architect',
  model='sonnet',
  prompt="""
  REVIEW the test plan for [FEATURE] Fase [FASE_NR].
  This is VALIDATION, not planning.

  📋 CHECKLIST (answer each explicitly):
  □ Are ALL auth scenarios covered? (401, 403)
  □ Are ALL validation scenarios covered? (400)
  □ Are ALL edge cases identified? (empty, null, boundaries)
  □ Is the mock strategy appropriate?
  □ Is the test pattern (unit vs integration) correct?
  □ Are there MISSING scenarios?

  OUTPUT one of:
  - "APPROVED: All 6 items verified. No gaps."
  - "REJECTED: [specific issues]. Return to PLAN phase."
  """
)

If REJECTED:

• GATE_RED_REVIEW_APPROVED stays FALSE
• Return to Step 2 with architect feedback
• Max 3 iterations, then escalate

If APPROVED:

• Update gates.json: GATE_RED_REVIEW_APPROVED = true
• Update PROGRESS.md: Step 3 → ✅, note "APPROVED"
• TodoWrite: Mark Step 3 completed

---

Step 4: GENERATE TESTS [GATE: GATE_RED_TESTS_GENERATED]

Blocked until: GATE_RED_REVIEW_APPROVED = true

Invoke:

Task(
  subagent_type='wasp-test-automator',
  model='haiku',
  prompt="""
  Generate tests based on approved test plan for [FEATURE] Fase [FASE_NR].

  Operations: [OPERATIONS]

  REQUIREMENTS:
  - Follow Wasp test patterns from existing tests
  - Use correct imports (wasp/entities, @prisma/client for enums)
  - Include mock factories with all required Prisma fields
  - Test behavior, not implementation
  - Use expect.rejects for error tests (NOT try-catch)
  - Self-validate all imports resolve

  Output: *.test.ts files next to source files
  """
)

After completion:

• Update gates.json: GATE_RED_TESTS_GENERATED = true
• Update PROGRESS.md: Step 4 → ✅, add test file count
• TodoWrite: Mark Step 4 completed

---

Step 5: VERIFY EXECUTION

Execute:

cd app && wasp test client run 2>&1 | head -50

Verify:

• Tests EXECUTE (no timeouts)
• Tests FAIL with clear error (expected - no implementation yet)
• No import errors

After completion:

• Update PROGRESS.md: Step 5 → ✅, note execution status
• TodoWrite: Mark Step 5 completed

---

Step 6: TEST QUALITY AUDIT [GATE: GATE_RED_AUDIT_PASSED] - CRITICAL

Blocked until: GATE_RED_TESTS_GENERATED = true

Invoke:

Task(
  subagent_type='test-quality-auditor',
  model='opus',
  prompt="""
  Audit generated tests for [FEATURE] Fase [FASE_NR].

  📋 5 TDD CRITERIA (all must pass):
  □ 1. Tests business logic (NOT existence checks)
  □ 2. Meaningful assertions (NOT just .toBeDefined())
  □ 3. Tests error paths (401, 403, 404, 400)
  □ 4. Tests edge cases (empty, null, boundaries)
  □ 5. Tests behavior (NOT implementation details)

  DETECT test theater:
  - Side effect checks without behavior verification
  - Mocks that aren't used
  - Tests that pass even if logic is wrong

  OUTPUT one of:
  - "AUDIT PASSED: All 5 TDD criteria verified. Quality: GOOD."
  - "AUDIT FAILED: [specific issues]. Return to PLAN phase."
  """
)

If FAILED:

• GATE_RED_AUDIT_PASSED stays FALSE
• Return to Step 2 with audit feedback
• Max 3 iterations, then escalate

If PASSED:

• Update gates.json: GATE_RED_AUDIT_PASSED = true
• Update PROGRESS.md: Step 6 → ✅, note "AUDIT PASSED"
• TodoWrite: Mark Step 6 completed

---

Step 7: VERIFY ALL TESTS RED

Execute:

cd app && wasp test client run

Expected: All tests FAIL (RED state - no implementation exists)

After completion:

• Update PROGRESS.md: Step 7 → ✅, note test count and RED status
• TodoWrite: Mark Step 7 completed

---

Step 8: WRITE ARTIFACTS

Write to [fase-dir]/tests/:

• test-plan.md - Approved test plan
• coverage-targets.json:

{
  "statements": 80,
  "branches": 75,
  "functions": 80,
  "lines": 80
}

After completion:

• Update PROGRESS.md: Step 8 → ✅, note artifacts written
• TodoWrite: Mark Step 8 completed

---

Step 9: PRE-COMMIT GATE CHECK

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ RED PHASE PRE-COMMIT CHECK                              │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ □ GATE_RED_EXPLORE_DONE     = true                      │
│ □ GATE_RED_PLAN_DONE        = true                      │
│ □ GATE_RED_REVIEW_APPROVED  = true ← wasp-backend-architect│
│ □ GATE_RED_TESTS_GENERATED  = true                      │
│ □ GATE_RED_AUDIT_PASSED     = true ← test-quality-auditor │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 🚫 IF ANY FALSE → STOP → COMPLETE MISSING STEP         │
│ ✅ ALL TRUE → PROCEED TO COMMIT                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

After completion:

• Update PROGRESS.md: Step 9 → ✅, note all gates verified
• TodoWrite: Mark Step 9 completed

---

Step 10: GIT COMMIT

Execute:

git add app/src/**/*.test.ts [fase-dir]/tests/ [fase-dir]/gates.json
git commit -m "test: Add [FEATURE] tests (RED) - Fase [FASE_NR]

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)

Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>"

After completion:

• Update PROGRESS.md: Step 10 → ✅, note commit hash
• TodoWrite: Mark Step 10 completed

---

Step 11: UPDATE GATES & OUTPUT PROMISE

Update [fase-dir]/gates.json:

{
  "fase": "[FASE_NR]",
  "feature": "[FEATURE]",
  "operations": ["op1", "op2"],
  "red": {
    "GATE_RED_EXPLORE_DONE": true,
    "GATE_RED_PLAN_DONE": true,
    "GATE_RED_REVIEW_APPROVED": true,
    "GATE_RED_TESTS_GENERATED": true,
    "GATE_RED_AUDIT_PASSED": true,
    "started_at": "[ISO_TIMESTAMP]",
    "completed_at": "[ISO_TIMESTAMP]"
  }
}

Task Tracking:

// Update fase task to indicate transition to GREEN phase
TaskUpdate(faseTaskId, {
  metadata: {
    ...existing,
    currentPhase: "GREEN",
  },
});

Output:

RED PHASE COMPLETE - Fase [FASE_NR]: [FEATURE]

✅ Tests written: [X] files, [Y] test cases
✅ wasp-backend-architect: APPROVED
✅ test-quality-auditor: PASSED
✅ All 5 gates: ✅✅✅✅✅
✅ Committed: [hash]
✅ Artifacts: [fase-dir]/tests/

<promise>RED_PHASE_COMPLETE</promise>

After completion:

• Update PROGRESS.md: Step 11 → ✅, Status → COMPLETE
• Update PROGRESS.md Gates Status: All checkboxes → [x]

---

Step 12: AUTO-CONTINUE TO GREEN PHASE (CRITICAL)

ONLY if <promise>RED_PHASE_COMPLETE</promise> was output (NOT BLOCKED):

IMMEDIATELY invoke the next phase without waiting for user input:

Skill(skill: "ralph-green", args: "[fase-dir]")

If <promise>RED_PHASE_BLOCKED</promise> was output:

• Do NOT auto-continue
• Wait for user to resolve the blocker
• User can manually resume with /ralph-green [fase-dir]

---

Error Recovery

If architect REJECTS (max 3 times):

⚠️ Architecture review rejected 3 times.
Issues: [list]
Escalating to human review.

<promise>RED_PHASE_BLOCKED</promise>

If audit FAILS (max 3 times):

⚠️ Test quality audit failed 3 times.
Issues: [list]
Escalating to human review.

<promise>RED_PHASE_BLOCKED</promise>

---

Agent Reference

Step	Agent	Model	Purpose	Gate
1	Explore (built-in)	haiku	Gather codebase context	GATE_RED_EXPLORE_DONE
2	Plan (built-in)	sonnet	Create test strategy	GATE_RED_PLAN_DONE
3	wasp-backend-architect	sonnet	Review & approve plan	GATE_RED_REVIEW_APPROVED ⚠️
4	wasp-test-automator	haiku	Generate test files	GATE_RED_TESTS_GENERATED
6	test-quality-auditor	opus	Verify 5 TDD criteria	GATE_RED_AUDIT_PASSED ⚠️

---

Cross-Phase Integration

Creates for ralph-green:

• [fase-dir]/tests/test-plan.md - Implementation guidance
• [fase-dir]/tests/coverage-targets.json - Coverage validation
• [fase-dir]/gates.json - Phase completion tracking
• Committed test files (prerequisite for GREEN)