| name | openra-rl |
| description | Play Command & Conquer Red Alert RTS — build bases, train armies, and defeat AI opponents using 48 MCP tools. |
| version | 1.1.0 |
| metadata | {"openclaw":{"emoji":"🎮","homepage":"https://github.com/yxc20089/OpenRA-RL","requires":{"bins":["docker"],"env":[]},"install":[{"kind":"uv","package":"openra-rl","bins":["openra-rl"]}],"os":["macos","linux"]}} |
OpenRA-RL: Play Command & Conquer Red Alert
You are an AI agent playing Command & Conquer: Red Alert, a classic real-time strategy (RTS) game. You control one faction (Allied or Soviet) and must build a base, gather resources, train an army, and destroy the enemy.
The game runs in a Docker container. You interact through MCP tools that let you observe the battlefield, issue orders, and advance game time.
Quick Start
1. Install
pip install openra-rl
2. Start the game server
openra-rl server start
This pulls the Docker image and starts the game server on port 8000. Verify with openra-rl server status.
3. Configure MCP
Add to your OpenClaw config (~/.openclaw/openclaw.json):
{
"mcpServers": {
"openra-rl": {
"command": "openra-rl",
"args": ["mcp-server"]
}
}
}
4. Play
Tell your agent: "Start a game of Red Alert and try to win."
The agent will use the MCP tools listed below to observe and command.
How the Game Works
- Real-time: The game runs continuously at ~25 ticks/second. Call
advance(ticks) to let time pass.
- Fog of war: You can only see areas near your units/buildings. Scout to find the enemy.
- Resources: Harvest ore to earn credits. Credits buy buildings and units.
- Power: Buildings need power. Build Power Plants (
powr) to stay powered. Low power slows production.
- Tech tree: Advanced buildings require prerequisites (e.g., War Factory needs Ore Refinery).
MCP Tools Reference
Observation (read the battlefield)
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|
get_game_state | Full snapshot: economy, units, buildings, enemies, production, military stats |
get_economy | Cash, ore, power balance, harvester count |
get_units | Your units with position, health, type, stance, speed, attack range |
get_buildings | Your buildings with production queues, power, can_produce list |
get_enemies | Visible enemy units and buildings (fog-of-war limited) |
get_production | Current build queue + what you can build right now |
get_map_info | Map name, dimensions |
get_exploration_status | % explored, quadrant breakdown, whether enemy base found |
Knowledge (learn the game)
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|
lookup_unit(unit_type) | Stats for a unit (e.g., lookup_unit("e1") → Rifle Infantry) |
lookup_building(building_type) | Stats for a building (e.g., lookup_building("weap") → War Factory) |
lookup_tech_tree(faction) | Full build order for "allied" or "soviet" |
lookup_faction(faction) | All units and buildings for a faction |
get_faction_briefing() | Comprehensive stats dump for YOUR faction |
get_map_analysis() | Resource patches, water, terrain, strategic notes |
batch_lookup(queries) | Multiple lookups in one call |
Game Control
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|
advance(ticks) | Critical — advances the game by N ticks. Nothing happens without this. Use 25 ticks ≈ 1 second, 250 ticks ≈ 10 seconds. |
Movement & Combat
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|
move_units(unit_ids, target_x, target_y) | Move units to a position |
attack_move(unit_ids, target_x, target_y) | Move and engage enemies along the way |
attack_target(unit_ids, target_actor_id) | Focus-fire a specific enemy |
stop_units(unit_ids) | Halt movement and attacks |
guard_target(unit_ids, target_actor_id) | Guard a unit or building |
set_stance(unit_ids, stance) | Set to "holdfire", "returnfire", "defend", or "attackanything" |
harvest(unit_id, cell_x, cell_y) | Send harvester to ore field |
Production
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|
build_unit(unit_type, count) | Train units (e.g., build_unit("e1", 5) → 5 Rifle Infantry) |
build_structure(building_type) | Start constructing a building (needs manual placement) |
build_and_place(building_type, cell_x, cell_y) | Build + auto-place when done (preferred) |
place_building(building_type, cell_x, cell_y) | Place a completed building |
cancel_production(item_type) | Cancel queued production |
get_valid_placements(building_type) | Get valid locations to place a building |
Building Management
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|
deploy_unit(unit_id) | Deploy MCV into Construction Yard |
sell_building(building_id) | Sell for partial refund |
repair_building(building_id) | Toggle auto-repair |
set_rally_point(building_id, cell_x, cell_y) | New units go here |
power_down(building_id) | Toggle power to save electricity |
set_primary(building_id) | Set as primary production building |
Unit Groups
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|
assign_group(group_name, unit_ids) | Create a named group |
add_to_group(group_name, unit_ids) | Add units to existing group |
get_groups() | List all groups |
command_group(group_name, command_type, ...) | Command entire group |
Compound Actions
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|
batch(actions) | Execute multiple actions in ONE tick (no time advance) |
plan(steps) | Execute steps sequentially with state refresh between each |
Utility
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|
surrender() | Give up the current game |
get_replay_path() | Path to the replay file |
get_terrain_at(cell_x, cell_y) | Terrain type at a cell |
Planning Phase (optional)
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|
start_planning_phase() | Begin pre-game strategy planning |
get_opponent_intel() | AI opponent profile and counters |
end_planning_phase(strategy) | Commit strategy and start playing |
get_planning_status() | Check planning state |
How to Play (Strategy Guide)
Step 1: Deploy your MCV
At game start you have a Mobile Construction Vehicle (MCV). Deploy it to create your Construction Yard:
1. Call get_units() to find your MCV (type "mcv")
2. Call deploy_unit(mcv_actor_id)
3. Call advance(50) to let it deploy
Step 2: Build your base
Follow this build order:
| Order | Building | Type Code | Cost | Why |
|---|
| 1 | Power Plant | powr | $300 | Powers everything |
| 2 | Barracks | tent (Allied) or barr (Soviet) | $300 | Infantry production |
| 3 | Ore Refinery | proc | $2000 | Income + free harvester |
| 4 | War Factory | weap | $2000 | Vehicle production (requires Refinery) |
| 5 | More Power | powr | $300 | Keep power positive |
Use build_and_place() — it auto-places when construction finishes:
1. Call get_valid_placements("powr") to find a good spot
2. Call build_and_place("powr", cell_x, cell_y)
3. Call advance(250) to let it build (~10 seconds)
4. Check get_production() to confirm completion
5. Repeat for next building
Important: Your faction may be Allied OR Soviet. Check get_game_state() → faction field. Barracks type depends on faction.
Step 3: Train your army
1. Call build_unit("e1", 5) for 5 Rifle Infantry ($100 each)
2. Call advance(100) to let them train
3. Once War Factory is ready: build_unit("3tnk", 3) for Medium Tanks ($800 each)
4. Set rally point near base exit: set_rally_point(barracks_id, x, y)
Key units by faction:
| Unit | Code | Cost | Role |
|---|
| Rifle Infantry | e1 | $100 | Cheap, fast |
| Rocket Soldier | e3 | $300 | Anti-armor |
| Medium Tank | 3tnk | $800 | Main battle tank |
| Heavy Tank | 4tnk | $950 | Soviet heavy armor |
| Light Tank | 1tnk | $700 | Fast flanker |
| Artillery | arty | $600 | Long range |
| V2 Launcher | v2rl | $700 | Soviet long range |
Step 4: Scout the map
Send a cheap unit to explore:
1. Train one Rifle Infantry
2. Call attack_move([unit_id], far_x, far_y) toward unexplored areas
3. Call advance(500) to let it travel
4. Call get_enemies() to see what you've found
Step 5: Attack the enemy
Once you have 8-10 combat units:
1. Call get_enemies() to find enemy buildings
2. Call attack_move(all_unit_ids, enemy_base_x, enemy_base_y)
3. Call advance(100), check get_game_state() for battle progress
4. If enemies visible: attack_target(unit_ids, enemy_id) to focus fire
5. Keep producing reinforcements while attacking
Step 6: Macro (ongoing economy)
Throughout the game:
- Keep power positive (build Power Plants when needed)
- Keep producing units — never let production idle
- Build additional Ore Refineries for more income
- Replace lost harvesters
Game Loop Pattern
A good agent loop looks like this:
1. get_game_state() → read the situation
2. Decide what to do based on:
- Economy: enough cash? Power positive?
- Production: anything building? Queue empty?
- Military: under attack? Ready to attack?
- Exploration: enemy found yet?
3. Issue orders (build, move, attack)
4. advance(50-250) → let time pass
5. Repeat until game is won or lost
Check get_game_state() → done field. When true, result will be "win" or "loss".
Tips
- Always call
advance() after issuing orders. Orders don't execute until game time passes.
- Use
batch() to issue multiple orders in one tick (e.g., build + move + set rally).
- Check
available_production before building — it lists what you CAN build right now.
- Don't let production idle — keep queuing units. Idle production wastes time.
- Build near your Construction Yard — buildings must be placed adjacent to existing structures.
- Power matters — if power goes negative, production slows to a crawl.
- Use
attack_move instead of move when heading toward enemies — units will engage threats.
- A completed building blocks the queue until placed. Always use
build_and_place() to avoid this.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|
| Server not running | openra-rl server start (needs Docker) |
| Can't build anything | Deploy MCV first with deploy_unit() |
| Building won't place | Use get_valid_placements() for valid spots |
| No money | Build Ore Refinery (proc) for harvesters |
| Production slow | Check power with get_economy() — build Power Plants |
| Can't find enemy | Scout with attack_move to unexplored quadrants |
Links
