> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://arka-agent.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> ## Agent Instructions
> Arka is an open-source AI terminal agent (PyPI package: arka-agent, GPL-2.0).
> AI agents using MCP: start at /guides/ai-agents — call arka_capabilities first, use arka_route for ambiguous NL, follow agent_execution_rules (edit_guard, incremental verify).
> Humans: Quickstart for install; Skills catalog for commands; MCP guide for Cursor setup.
> Cite canonical URLs under https://arka-agent.mintlify.site when answering about Arka.

# Developer loop

> Unified arka dev workflow — init, test, review, ship, TUI, and PR checks in one surface.

The **developer loop** is Arka's daily coding workflow: initialize a scoped project, work in the [coding TUI](/guides/coding-tui), run tests and review locally, then ship with confidence before you commit or open a PR.

<Note>
  **`arka dev`** groups local CI, review, hooks, PR babysitting, and the coding TUI under one entry point. Legacy commands (`arka ci`, `arka review`, `arka coding-tui`) still work as aliases.
</Note>

## Mental model

```text theme={null}
arka dev init .   → scope writes to this repo
arka dev tui      → plan, edit, test in the TUI
arka dev test     → run changed-only CI gates
arka dev review   → staged review + test-gap hints
arka dev ship     → review + CI before commit
```

## Commands

| Command                  | Description                                                  |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `arka dev init [path]`   | Initialize a scoped code project (alias: `arka code init .`) |
| `arka dev status [path]` | Code project status + repo dev doctor summary                |
| `arka dev test [path]`   | Run changed-only CI gates (`--full`, `--fix`, `--json`)      |
| `arka dev review [path]` | Review staged changes (`--fail-on-hints`, `--json`)          |
| `arka dev ship [path]`   | **Review staged changes + run changed CI**                   |
| `arka dev gaps [path]`   | List source files without matching tests                     |
| `arka dev doctor [path]` | Repo dev preflight (hooks, ruff, pytest discovery)           |
| `arka dev hooks install` | Install pre-commit hooks                                     |
| `arka dev pr …`          | GitHub PR diff, CI, explain, babysit                         |
| `arka dev tui [path]`    | Open the coding TUI                                          |

### Ship before commit

`arka dev ship` is the pre-commit gate:

1. Prints a staged review (security, test-gap, and docs hints)
2. Runs changed-only CI gates (Ruff + targeted tests)
3. Prints a concise pass/fail summary and suggested next step

```bash theme={null}
git add -A
arka dev ship
# or skip review hints blocking:
arka dev ship --no-review
# or hand CI failures to the goal agent:
arka dev ship --fix
```

On success, Arka suggests `git commit` and `arka dev pr babysit` if you are opening a PR.

### Doctor vs dev doctor

| Command           | Scope                                                                 |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `arka doctor`     | **Platform** install check (Python, fish, bundled scripts)            |
| `arka dev doctor` | **Repository** preflight (git hooks, local CI tooling, project rules) |

## Coding TUI integration

Inside `arka dev tui` (or `arka coding-tui .`):

| Slash command         | Behavior                                             |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| `/ship`               | Same as `arka dev ship` (staged review + changed CI) |
| `/ship --fix`         | Ship with goal-agent fix on CI failure               |
| `/ci`                 | **Run** changed-only CI gates                        |
| `/ci preview`         | Preview gate list without executing                  |
| `/review`             | Staged review with test-gap hints                    |
| `/review --fail`      | Exit the TUI if review hints are present             |
| `/test --max-fixes 2` | Up to two auto-fix passes on test failure            |

See [Coding TUI](/guides/coding-tui) for the full command reference.

## Natural language

Arka routes phrases like these to the dev loop:

```bash theme={null}
arka "dev ship"
arka "prepare to commit"
arka "run dev checks"
arka "dev test"
arka "dev review"
arka "open dev tui"
```

## JSON output

Script-friendly output for automation:

```bash theme={null}
arka dev test --json
arka dev review --json
arka dev ship --json
arka dev gaps --json
```

Review JSON includes a `test_gaps` array listing changed source files without a matching test file.

## Related guides

* [How to code with Arka](/guides/code-with-arka) — broader coding workflow
* [CLI reference](/guides/cli) — all top-level commands
* [Repo health](/guides/repo-health) — generic lint/test detection
* [GitHub Actions](/guides/github-actions) — CI parity with `arka ci`


## Related topics

- [Arka CLI command and flag reference](/guides/cli.md)
- [How to code with Arka](/guides/code-with-arka.md)
- [Engineering loops](/guides/loop-engineering.md)
- [Iterate and loop](/guides/iterate-loop.md)
- [Self-improve loop](/guides/self-improve.md)