ralph-reset
npx machina-cli add skill stavarengo/ralph-wiggum-loop/ralph-reset --openclawralph-reset
Hard resets the repository to the last committed state, discarding all uncommitted changes and untracked files.
Overview
This skill is used when Ralph gets stuck or the codebase is in an inconsistent state. It provides a way to return to the last clean checkpoint.
WARNING
This is a destructive operation! It will:
- Discard all uncommitted changes in tracked files
- Remove all untracked files and directories
- Reset the repository to the last commit (HEAD)
You cannot undo this operation! Make sure you want to lose all uncommitted work before proceeding.
Implementation
# Step 1: Confirm destructive action with user
Use AskUserQuestion to confirm:
"⚠️ WARNING: This will discard ALL uncommitted changes and untracked files.
This cannot be undone. Are you sure you want to proceed? (yes/no)"
# Step 2: If user confirms (response == "yes")
# Execute git reset and clean
git reset --hard HEAD
git clean -fd
# Step 3: Update status.json
Read docs/ai/ralph/status.json
Update the 'status' field to 'reset'
Update the 'lastReset' timestamp to current ISO 8601 time
Write back to docs/ai/ralph/status.json
# Step 4: Report results to user
echo "✅ Repository reset complete"
echo "- All uncommitted changes discarded"
echo "- All untracked files removed"
echo "- Repository at: $(git rev-parse --short HEAD)"
echo "- Status updated to: reset"
# Step 5: If user does not confirm
echo "❌ Reset cancelled by user"
exit 0
Usage
Invoke this skill when:
- Ralph is stuck in an iteration loop
- The codebase is in an inconsistent state
- You want to return to the last committed checkpoint
- Tests are failing due to leftover artifacts
Related
- Use
git tag(from Step 8 of Ralph iterations) to create clean checkpoints - Use
/ralph:stopbefore reset to cleanly end the current iteration - After reset, use
/ralph:startto begin fresh iterations
Source
git clone https://github.com/stavarengo/ralph-wiggum-loop/blob/main/skills/ralph-reset/SKILL.mdView on GitHub Overview
Hard resets the repository to the last committed state, discarding all uncommitted changes and untracked files. It is used when Ralph gets stuck or the codebase is inconsistent, providing a clean checkpoint at HEAD. This is a destructive operation, so confirm before proceeding.
How This Skill Works
The skill prompts the user for confirmation via AskUserQuestion with a clear WARNING. If the user confirms, it executes git reset --hard HEAD and git clean -fd to discard changes and remove untracked files. It then updates docs/ai/ralph/status.json by setting status to 'reset' and updating lastReset to the current ISO 8601 time, and reports the results to the user; if the user declines, it cancels the operation.
When to Use It
- Ralph is stuck in an iteration loop
- The codebase is in an inconsistent state
- You want to return to the last committed checkpoint
- Tests are failing due to leftover artifacts
- You are preparing for a clean restart before a new iteration
Quick Start
- Step 1: Confirm the destructive action with the user using AskUserQuestion and the provided warning
- Step 2: If confirmed, run git reset --hard HEAD and git clean -fd
- Step 3: Update docs/ai/ralph/status.json with status 'reset' and the current ISO timestamp; report results
Best Practices
- Always confirm the destructive action with the user before proceeding
- Ensure you understand you will lose uncommitted work
- Back up any important changes before performing the reset
- Verify HEAD state and update status.json after reset
- Coordinate with Ralph flow (e.g., use /ralph:stop and /ralph:start) after the reset
Example Use Cases
- Ralph is stuck in a loop; reset to last commit to resume progress
- Codebase contaminated by transient artifacts; reset to a clean state
- Before starting a fresh iteration, reset to a known clean HEAD
- Post-test run artifacts causing failures; perform a hard reset
- Need a reproducible, clean checkpoint at HEAD for documentation
