algo-sensei

Algo Sensei 🥋

Your Personal LeetCode & DSA Mentor

Master algorithms through intelligent guidance, not just solutions.

Algo Sensei is an intelligent Claude Code skill that transforms how you practice LeetCode and master Data Structures & Algorithms. Instead of just giving you answers, it teaches you to think like a senior engineer.

Why Algo Sensei?

Traditional LeetCode practice has a problem: Copy-pasting solutions doesn't build problem-solving skills.

Algo Sensei is different:

• ✅ Teaches patterns instead of memorizing solutions
• ✅ Progressive hints that guide you without spoiling
• ✅ Real interview simulation with feedback
• ✅ Intelligent mode detection - adapts to what you need
• ✅ Pattern recognition training - see problems like pros do

Features

🎓 Tutor Mode

Get foundational understanding through:

• Clear concept explanations with examples
• Step-by-step problem breakdowns
• Visual diagrams (ASCII art)
• Building intuition, not just memorization

💡 Hint Mode (The Secret Weapon)

5-level progressive hint system:

1. Observation hints (gentlest)
2. Pattern recognition nudges
3. Approach direction
4. Specific technique reveal
5. Pseudocode skeleton (last resort)

You learn 10x more when you discover the solution yourself with guidance.

🔍 Review Mode

Comprehensive code review covering:

• Correctness verification
• Time & space complexity analysis
• Code quality feedback
• Optimization opportunities
• Edge case identification
• Interview readiness assessment

🎤 Interview Mode

Realistic mock interviews with:

• Professional interviewer roleplay
• Real-time feedback and hints
• Communication evaluation
• Detailed performance rubric
• Post-interview improvement plan

🗺️ Pattern Mapper Mode

Learn to recognize algorithmic patterns dynamically:

• Teaches HOW to identify patterns, not just memorize them
• Draws on Claude's comprehensive knowledge of ALL patterns
• Builds transferable pattern-recognition skills
• Works with any pattern: Two Pointers, DP, Graphs, Monotonic Stack, and more

Stop solving random problems. Start recognizing patterns.

Installation

For Claude Code Users (Recommended)

Option 1: Install to personal skills (available in all projects)

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/karanb192/algo-sensei.git

# Copy to your personal Claude skills directory
cp -r algo-sensei ~/.claude/skills/

# Restart Claude Code

Option 2: Install to project (team-shared via git)

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/karanb192/algo-sensei.git

# Copy to your project's Claude skills directory
cp -r algo-sensei /path/to/your/project/.claude/skills/

# Commit to git so your team gets it too!
git add .claude/skills/algo-sensei
git commit -m "Add Algo Sensei skill for DSA practice"

For Claude.ai Users

Algo Sensei works great on Claude.ai too! Here's how:

Method 1: Project Knowledge (Recommended - Full Experience)

1. Go to Claude.ai and create a new Project
2. Click "Add content" → Upload files
3. Upload these key files for full functionality:
   • SKILL.md (main skill)
   • All files from modes/ folder (5 files)
   • docs/dsa-cheatsheet.md (optional but helpful)
   • templates/solutions/solution-template.md (for structured solutions)
4. All conversations in this project now have full Algo Sensei capabilities!

Method 1b: Quick Setup (SKILL.md only)

For a lighter setup, just upload SKILL.md - you'll get intelligent routing but won't have access to the detailed mode instructions.

Method 2: Copy Specific Modes

1. Browse to the mode you need (e.g., modes/hint-mode.md)
2. Copy the entire content
3. Paste it as your first message in a new conversation
4. Continue with your DSA problem

Method 3: Manual Integration

If you have Claude Pro with custom instructions:

1. Add shortened version of SKILL.md to your custom instructions
2. Algo Sensei will be available in all chats

Tip: Project Knowledge with all files uploaded gives you the full experience - Claude can access all modes, patterns, and templates just like in Claude Code!

Quick Start

Once installed, Algo Sensei automatically activates when you need help with DSA/LeetCode problems.

Usage Examples

Get hints on a problem:

You: "I'm stuck on LeetCode #3 - Longest Substring Without Repeating Characters. Can you give me a hint?"

Algo Sensei: [Automatically switches to Hint Mode]
💡 Hint #1: What if you needed to track which characters you've seen recently?
...

Learn a concept:

You: "Can you explain dynamic programming to me?"

Algo Sensei: [Automatically switches to Tutor Mode]
📚 Let's build your understanding of DP from the ground up...

Review your code:

You: "Here's my solution for Two Sum. Can you review it?"
[paste code]

Algo Sensei: [Automatically switches to Review Mode]
🔍 Code Review: Two Sum
...

Practice interview:

You: "Can we do a mock interview with a medium-level problem?"

Algo Sensei: [Automatically switches to Interview Mode]
🎤 Hi! I'm Alex, senior engineer at TechCo. Ready to start?
...

Identify pattern:

You: "I'm not sure what approach to use for this problem..."

Algo Sensei: [Automatically switches to Pattern Mapper Mode]
🗺️ Let me help you identify the pattern...

Pattern Recognition Training

Instead of memorizing fixed templates, Algo Sensei teaches you to recognize patterns dynamically:

• Signal keyword detection - Learn to spot clues in problem statements
• Problem characteristic analysis - Identify data structures and constraints
• Pattern matching skills - Build intuition for which approach fits
• Comprehensive explanations - Understand any algorithmic pattern Claude knows

Works for all patterns: Two Pointers, Sliding Window, DP, Graphs, Heaps, Tries, Monotonic Stack, and more!

What Makes This Different?

vs. LeetCode Premium

• ✅ Free and open-source
• ✅ Personalized teaching style
• ✅ Deeper explanations
• ✅ Pattern-focused approach

vs. ChatGPT/Claude prompts

• ✅ Specialized for DSA/interviews
• ✅ Structured progressive learning
• ✅ Intelligent mode switching
• ✅ Consistent methodology

vs. YouTube tutorials

• ✅ Interactive and personalized
• ✅ Adapts to your skill level
• ✅ Available 24/7
• ✅ Covers YOUR specific problems

File Structure

algo-sensei/
├── SKILL.md                          # Main skill file (intelligent router)
├── README.md                         # You are here
├── modes/
│   ├── tutor-mode.md                # Concept explanations
│   ├── hint-mode.md                 # Progressive hints
│   ├── review-mode.md               # Code review
│   ├── interview-mode.md            # Mock interviews
│   └── pattern-mapper-mode.md       # Pattern recognition
├── templates/
│   └── solutions/
│       └── solution-template.md     # Multi-language solution format
├── scripts/
│   └── star_invitation.py           # Optional invitation repeat suppression
├── tests/
│   └── test_star_invitation.py      # Automated repeat-suppression tests
└── docs/
    └── dsa-cheatsheet.md            # Quick reference

Philosophy

Algo Sensei is built on research-backed learning principles:

1. Socratic Method: Learn through questions, not lectures
2. Progressive Disclosure: Start simple, add complexity gradually
3. Pattern Recognition: Master frameworks, not individual problems
4. Deliberate Practice: Struggle productively with guidance
5. Metacognition: Understand your thinking process

**The goal isn't solving 1000 problems. It'