# How Ralph Ensures CI Remains Green Across Iterations

> Learn how Ralph keeps CI green with a feedback-loop-first architecture. Pass local quality checks automatically before committing code to prevent broken builds.

- Repository: [Ryan Carson/ralph](https://github.com/snarktank/ralph)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-04-13

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**Ralph ensures CI remains green across iterations by implementing a feedback-loop-first architecture where mandatory local quality checks must pass before the AI agent commits any code, preventing broken builds from ever reaching the remote repository.**

The snarktank/ralph project solves the challenge of maintaining repository health during autonomous AI development through strict **commit gating** and explicit **"keep CI green"** directives. By coupling local validation with an eight-step self-reinforcing cycle, Ralph guarantees that every iteration produces only verified, passing code.

## Prompt-Level Enforcement and Commit Gating

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