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

openra-rl

OpenRA-RL: Play Command & Conquer Red Alert

Quick Start

1. Install

2. Start the game server