@ralph-orchestrator/ralph-cli 2.2.0 → 2.2.1

package/README.md

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 [![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-MIT-blue)](LICENSE)
 [![Rust](https://img.shields.io/badge/rust-1.75+-orange)](https://www.rust-lang.org/)
 [![Build](https://img.shields.io/github/actions/workflow/status/mikeyobrien/ralph-orchestrator/ci.yml?branch=main&label=CI)](https://github.com/mikeyobrien/ralph-orchestrator/actions)
+[![Coverage](https://img.shields.io/badge/coverage-65%25-yellowgreen)](coverage/index.html)
 [![Mentioned in Awesome Claude Code](https://awesome.re/mentioned-badge.svg)](https://github.com/hesreallyhim/awesome-claude-code)
 
 
@@ -23,8 +24,10 @@ v1.0.0 was ralphed into existence with little oversight and guidance. v2.0.0 is
 - [Installation](#installation)
 - [Quick Start](#quick-start)
 - [Configuration](#configuration)
+- [Custom Backends and Per-Hat Configuration](#custom-backends-and-per-hat-configuration)
 - [Presets](#presets)
 - [Key Concepts](#key-concepts)
+- [Orchestration and Coordination Patterns](#orchestration-and-coordination-patterns)
 - [CLI Reference](#cli-reference)
 - [Architecture](#architecture)
 - [Building & Testing](#building--testing)
@@ -325,6 +328,81 @@ hats:
 ```
 
 
+## Custom Backends and Per-Hat Configuration
+
+### Custom Backends
+
+Beyond the built-in backends (Claude, Kiro, Gemini, Codex, Amp, Copilot, OpenCode), you can define custom backends to integrate any CLI-based AI agent:
+
+```yaml
+cli:
+  backend: "custom"
+  command: "my-agent"
+  args: ["--headless", "--auto-approve"]
+  prompt_mode: "arg"        # "arg" or "stdin"
+  prompt_flag: "-p"         # Optional: flag for prompt argument
+```
+
+| Field | Description |
+|-------|-------------|
+| `command` | The CLI command to execute |
+| `args` | Arguments inserted before the prompt |
+| `prompt_mode` | How to pass the prompt: `arg` (command-line argument) or `stdin` |
+| `prompt_flag` | Flag preceding the prompt (e.g., `-p`, `--prompt`). If omitted, prompt is positional. |
+
+### Per-Hat Backend Configuration
+
+Different hats can use different backends, enabling specialized tools for specialized tasks:
+
+```yaml
+cli:
+  backend: "claude"  # Default for Ralph and hats without explicit backend
+
+hats:
+  builder:
+    name: "🔨 Builder"
+    description: "Implements code"
+    triggers: ["build.task"]
+    publishes: ["build.done"]
+    backend: "claude"        # Explicit: Claude for coding
+
+  researcher:
+    name: "🔍 Researcher"
+    description: "Researches technical questions"
+    triggers: ["research.task"]
+    publishes: ["research.done"]
+    backend:                 # Kiro with custom agent (has MCP tools)
+      type: "kiro"
+      agent: "researcher"
+
+  reviewer:
+    name: "👀 Reviewer"
+    description: "Reviews code changes"
+    triggers: ["review.task"]
+    publishes: ["review.done"]
+    backend: "gemini"        # Different model for fresh perspective
+```
+
+**Backend Types:**
+
+| Type | Syntax | Invocation |
+|------|--------|------------|
+| Named | `backend: "claude"` | Uses standard backend configuration |
+| Kiro Agent | `backend: { type: "kiro", agent: "builder" }` | `kiro-cli --agent builder ...` |
+| Custom | `backend: { command: "...", args: [...] }` | Your custom command |
+
+**When to mix backends:**
+
+| Scenario | Recommended Backend |
+|----------|---------------------|
+| Complex coding | Claude (best reasoning) |
+| AWS/cloud tasks | Kiro with agent (MCP tools) |
+| Code review | Different model (fresh perspective) |
+| Internal tools | Custom backend |
+| Cost optimization | Faster/cheaper model for simple tasks |
+
+Hats without explicit `backend` inherit from `cli.backend`.
+
 ## Presets
 
 Presets are pre-configured workflows for common development patterns.
@@ -407,6 +485,410 @@ View event history:
 ralph events
 ```
 
+## Orchestration and Coordination Patterns
+
+Ralph's hat system enables sophisticated multi-agent workflows through event-driven coordination. This section covers the architectural patterns, event routing mechanics, and built-in workflow templates.
+
+### How Hat-Based Orchestration Works
+
+#### The Event-Driven Model
+
+Hats communicate through a **pub/sub event system**:
+
+1. **Ralph publishes a starting event** (e.g., `task.start`)
+2. **The matching hat activates** — the hat subscribed to that event takes over
+3. **The hat does its work** and publishes an event when done
+4. **The next hat activates** — triggered by the new event
+5. **The cycle continues** until a termination event or `LOOP_COMPLETE`
+
+```
+┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│  task.start → [Test Writer] → test.written → [Implementer] →   │
+│  test.passing → [Refactorer] → refactor.done ──┐                │
+│                                                │                │
+│  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┘                │
+│  └──→ (loops back to Test Writer for next test)                 │
+└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+#### Ralph as the Constant Coordinator
+
+In hat-based mode, **Ralph is always present**:
+
+- Ralph cannot be removed or replaced
+- Custom hats define the **topology** (who triggers whom)
+- Ralph executes with **topology awareness** — knowing which hats exist and their relationships
+- Ralph serves as the **universal fallback** — orphaned events automatically route to Ralph
+
+This means custom hats don't execute directly. Instead, Ralph reads all pending events across all hats and decides what to do based on the defined topology. Ralph then either:
+- Delegates to the appropriate hat by publishing an event
+- Handles the work directly if no hat is suited
+
+#### Event Routing and Topic Matching
+
+Events route to hats using **glob-style pattern matching**:
+
+| Pattern | Matches |
+|---------|---------|
+| `task.start` | Exactly `task.start` |
+| `build.*` | `build.done`, `build.blocked`, `build.task`, etc. |
+| `*.done` | `build.done`, `review.done`, `test.done`, etc. |
+| `*` | Everything (global wildcard — used by Ralph as fallback) |
+
+**Priority Rules:**
+- Specific patterns take precedence over wildcards
+- If multiple hats have specific subscriptions, that's an error (ambiguous routing)
+- Global wildcard (`*`) only triggers if no specific handler exists
+
+### Coordination Patterns
+
+Ralph presets implement several proven coordination patterns:
+
+#### 1. Linear Pipeline
+
+The simplest pattern — work flows through a sequence of specialists.
+
+```
+Input → Hat A → Event → Hat B → Event → Hat C → Output
+```
+
+**Example: TDD Red-Green-Refactor** (`tdd-red-green.yml`)
+
+```yaml
+hats:
+  test_writer:
+    triggers: ["tdd.start", "refactor.done"]
+    publishes: ["test.written"]
+
+  implementer:
+    triggers: ["test.written"]
+    publishes: ["test.passing"]
+
+  refactorer:
+    triggers: ["test.passing"]
+    publishes: ["refactor.done", "cycle.complete"]
+```
+
+```
+tdd.start → 🔴 Test Writer → test.written → 🟢 Implementer →
+test.passing → 🔵 Refactorer → refactor.done ─┐
+                                              │
+              ┌───────────────────────────────┘
+              └──→ (back to Test Writer)
+```
+
+**When to use:** Workflows with clear sequential phases where each step builds on the previous.
+
+#### 2. Contract-First Pipeline
+
+A variant where work must pass validation gates before proceeding.
+
+**Example: Spec-Driven Development** (`spec-driven.yml`)
+
+```yaml
+hats:
+  spec_writer:
+    triggers: ["spec.start", "spec.rejected"]
+    publishes: ["spec.ready"]
+
+  spec_reviewer:
+    triggers: ["spec.ready"]
+    publishes: ["spec.approved", "spec.rejected"]
+
+  implementer:
+    triggers: ["spec.approved", "spec.violated"]
+    publishes: ["implementation.done"]
+
+  verifier:
+    triggers: ["implementation.done"]
+    publishes: ["task.complete", "spec.violated"]
+```
+
+```
+spec.start → 📋 Spec Writer ──→ spec.ready ──→ 🔎 Spec Critic
+                 ↑                                   │
+                 └────── spec.rejected ──────────────┤
+                                                     ↓
+                                               spec.approved
+                                                     │
+                                                     ↓
+task.complete ←── ✅ Verifier ←── impl.done ←── ⚙️ Implementer
+                       │                              ↑
+                       └──── spec.violated ───────────┘
+```
+
+**When to use:** High-stakes changes where the spec must be rock-solid before implementation begins.
+
+#### 3. Cyclic Rotation
+
+Multiple roles take turns, each bringing a different perspective.
+
+**Example: Mob Programming** (`mob-programming.yml`)
+
+```yaml
+hats:
+  navigator:
+    triggers: ["mob.start", "observation.noted"]
+    publishes: ["direction.set", "mob.complete"]
+
+  driver:
+    triggers: ["direction.set"]
+    publishes: ["code.written"]
+
+  observer:
+    triggers: ["code.written"]
+    publishes: ["observation.noted"]
+```
+
+```
+mob.start → 🧭 Navigator → direction.set → ⌨️ Driver →
+code.written → 👁️ Observer → observation.noted ─┐
+                                                │
+              ┌─────────────────────────────────┘
+              └──→ (back to Navigator)
+```
+
+**When to use:** Complex features that benefit from multiple perspectives and continuous feedback.
+
+#### 4. Adversarial Review
+
+Two roles with opposing objectives ensure robustness.
+
+**Example: Red Team / Blue Team** (`adversarial-review.yml`)
+
+```yaml
+hats:
+  builder:
+    name: "🔵 Blue Team (Builder)"
+    triggers: ["security.review", "fix.applied"]
+    publishes: ["build.ready"]
+
+  red_team:
+    name: "🔴 Red Team (Attacker)"
+    triggers: ["build.ready"]
+    publishes: ["vulnerability.found", "security.approved"]
+
+  fixer:
+    triggers: ["vulnerability.found"]
+    publishes: ["fix.applied"]
+```
+
+```
+security.review → 🔵 Blue Team → build.ready → 🔴 Red Team
+                      ↑                            │
+                      │                            ├─→ security.approved ✓
+                      │                            │
+                      │                            └─→ vulnerability.found
+                      │                                        │
+                      └────── fix.applied ←── 🛡️ Fixer ←──────┘
+```
+
+**When to use:** Security-sensitive code, authentication systems, or any code where adversarial thinking improves quality.
+
+#### 5. Hypothesis-Driven Investigation
+
+The scientific method applied to debugging.
+
+**Example: Scientific Method** (`scientific-method.yml`)
+
+```yaml
+hats:
+  observer:
+    triggers: ["science.start", "hypothesis.rejected"]
+    publishes: ["observation.made"]
+
+  theorist:
+    triggers: ["observation.made"]
+    publishes: ["hypothesis.formed"]
+
+  experimenter:
+    triggers: ["hypothesis.formed"]
+    publishes: ["hypothesis.confirmed", "hypothesis.rejected"]
+
+  fixer:
+    triggers: ["hypothesis.confirmed"]
+    publishes: ["fix.applied"]
+```
+
+```
+science.start → 🔬 Observer → observation.made → 🧠 Theorist →
+hypothesis.formed → 🧪 Experimenter ──┬─→ hypothesis.confirmed → 🔧 Fixer
+                                      │
+                                      └─→ hypothesis.rejected ─┐
+                                                               │
+              ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+              └──→ (back to Observer with new data)
+```
+
+**When to use:** Complex bugs where the root cause isn't obvious. Forces systematic investigation over random fixes.
+
+#### 6. Coordinator-Specialist (Fan-Out)
+
+A coordinator delegates to specialists based on the work type.
+
+**Example: Gap Analysis** (`gap-analysis.yml`)
+
+```yaml
+hats:
+  analyzer:
+    triggers: ["gap.start", "verify.complete", "report.complete"]
+    publishes: ["analyze.spec", "verify.request", "report.request"]
+
+  verifier:
+    triggers: ["analyze.spec", "verify.request"]
+    publishes: ["verify.complete"]
+
+  reporter:
+    triggers: ["report.request"]
+    publishes: ["report.complete"]
+```
+
+```
+                    ┌─→ analyze.spec ──→ 🔍 Verifier ──┐
+                    │                                  │
+gap.start → 📊 Analyzer ←── verify.complete ──────────┘
+                    │
+                    └─→ report.request ──→ 📝 Reporter ──→ report.complete
+```
+
+**When to use:** Work that naturally decomposes into independent specialist tasks (analysis, verification, reporting).
+
+#### 7. Adaptive Entry Point
+
+A bootstrapping hat detects input type and routes to the appropriate workflow.
+
+**Example: Code-Assist** (`code-assist.yml`)
+
+```yaml
+hats:
+  planner:
+    triggers: ["build.start"]
+    publishes: ["tasks.ready"]
+    # Detects: PDD directory vs. code task file vs. description
+
+  builder:
+    triggers: ["tasks.ready", "validation.failed", "task.complete"]
+    publishes: ["implementation.ready", "task.complete"]
+
+  validator:
+    triggers: ["implementation.ready"]
+    publishes: ["validation.passed", "validation.failed"]
+
+  committer:
+    triggers: ["validation.passed"]
+    publishes: ["commit.complete"]
+```
+
+```
+build.start → 📋 Planner ─── (detects input type) ───→ tasks.ready
+                                                            │
+    ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+    │
+    ↓
+⚙️ Builder ←─────────────── validation.failed ←─────┐
+    │                                               │
+    ├── task.complete ──→ (loop for PDD mode) ──────┤
+    │                                               │
+    └── implementation.ready ──→ ✅ Validator ──────┤
+                                      │             │
+                                      └─→ validation.passed
+                                              │
+                                              ↓
+                                        📦 Committer → commit.complete
+```
+
+**When to use:** Workflows that need to handle multiple input formats or adapt their behavior based on context.
+
+### Designing Custom Hat Collections
+
+#### Hat Configuration Schema
+
+```yaml
+hats:
+  my_hat:
+    name: "🎯 Display Name"      # Shown in TUI and logs
+    description: "What this hat does"  # REQUIRED — Ralph uses this for delegation
+    triggers: ["event.a", "event.b"]   # Events that activate this hat
+    publishes: ["event.c", "event.d"]  # Events this hat can emit
+    default_publishes: "event.c"       # Fallback if hat forgets to emit
+    max_activations: 10                # Optional cap on activations
+    backend: "claude"                  # Optional backend override
+    instructions: |
+      Prompt injected when this hat is active.
+      Tell the hat what to do, not how to do it.
+```
+
+#### Design Principles
+
+1. **Description is critical** — Ralph uses hat descriptions to decide when to delegate. Make them clear and specific.
+
+2. **One hat, one responsibility** — Each hat should have a clear, focused purpose. If you're writing "and" in the description, consider splitting.
+
+3. **Events are routing signals, not data** — Keep payloads brief. Store detailed output in files and reference them in events.
+
+4. **Design for recovery** — If a hat fails or forgets to publish, Ralph catches the orphaned event. Your topology should handle unexpected states gracefully.
+
+5. **Test with simple prompts first** — Complex topologies can have emergent behavior. Start simple, validate the flow, then add complexity.
+
+#### Validation Rules
+
+Ralph validates hat configurations:
+
+- **Required description**: Every hat must have a description (Ralph needs it for delegation context)
+- **Reserved triggers**: `task.start` and `task.resume` are reserved for Ralph
+- **No ambiguous routing**: Each trigger pattern must map to exactly one hat
+
+```
+ERROR: Ambiguous routing for trigger 'build.done'.
+Both 'planner' and 'reviewer' trigger on 'build.done'.
+```
+
+### Event Emission
+
+Hats emit events to signal completion or hand off work:
+
+```bash
+# Simple event with payload
+ralph emit "build.done" "tests: pass, lint: pass"
+
+# Event with JSON payload
+ralph emit "review.done" --json '{"status": "approved", "issues": 0}'
+
+# Direct handoff to specific hat (bypasses routing)
+ralph emit "handoff" --target reviewer "Please review the changes"
+```
+
+**In agent output**, events are embedded as XML tags:
+
+```xml
+<event topic="impl.done">Implementation complete</event>
+<event topic="handoff" target="reviewer">Please review</event>
+```
+
+### Choosing a Pattern
+
+| Scenario | Recommended Pattern | Preset |
+|----------|---------------------|--------|
+| Sequential workflow with clear phases | Linear Pipeline | `tdd-red-green` |
+| Spec must be approved before coding | Contract-First | `spec-driven` |
+| Need multiple perspectives | Cyclic Rotation | `mob-programming` |
+| Security review required | Adversarial | `adversarial-review` |
+| Debugging complex issues | Hypothesis-Driven | `scientific-method` |
+| Work decomposes into specialist tasks | Coordinator-Specialist | `gap-analysis` |
+| Multiple input formats | Adaptive Entry | `code-assist` |
+| Standard feature development | Basic delegation | `feature` |
+
+### When Not to Use Hats
+
+Hat-based orchestration adds complexity. Use **traditional mode** (no hats) when:
+
+- The task is straightforward and single-focused
+- You don't need role separation or handoffs
+- You're prototyping and want minimal configuration
+- The work doesn't naturally decompose into distinct phases
+
+Traditional mode is just Ralph in a loop until completion — simpler, faster to set up, and often sufficient.
+
 ### Memories and Tasks
 
 Ralph uses two complementary systems for persistent state (both enabled by default):

package/npm-shrinkwrap.json

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
       "hasInstallScript": true,
       "license": "MIT",
       "name": "@ralph-orchestrator/ralph-cli",
-      "version": "2.2.0"
+      "version": "2.2.1"
     },
     "node_modules/@isaacs/balanced-match": {
       "engines": {
@@ -515,5 +515,5 @@
     }
   },
   "requires": true,
-  "version": "2.2.0"
+  "version": "2.2.1"
 }

package/package.json

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
-  "artifactDownloadUrl": "https://github.com/mikeyobrien/ralph-orchestrator/releases/download/v2.2.0",
+  "artifactDownloadUrl": "https://github.com/mikeyobrien/ralph-orchestrator/releases/download/v2.2.1",
   "bin": {
     "ralph": "run-ralph.js"
   },
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
       "zipExt": ".tar.xz"
     }
   },
-  "version": "2.2.0",
+  "version": "2.2.1",
   "volta": {
     "node": "18.14.1",
     "npm": "9.5.0"