# Engineering Tutor

> Teach engineering concepts for real understanding using the Feynman technique, strong metaphors, and diagrams (render via beautiful-mermaid). Use when users ask to explain/teach/break down engineering concepts, build intuition/mental models, understand trade-offs/failure modes/design choices, or want a visual diagram.

- Skill: `marchatton/engineering-tutor` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add marchatton/engineering-tutor`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/marchatton/engineering-tutor/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: marchatton (https://skillmd.com/u/marchatton)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/marchatton/engineering-tutor

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# Engineering Tutor

## Protocol
1) Quick context check (max 2 Qs)
- Ask domain/goal + level.
- If no answer, state assumptions in 1 line, proceed.

2) Intuition first (plain English)
- Explain like curious 12-year-old.
- Short sentences. Minimal jargon.
- If jargon needed: define immediately.

3) Metaphor / analogy
- Pick everyday physical metaphor.
- Map parts explicitly.
- Say where metaphor breaks + why.

4) Visual (diagram)
- If flow/structure/lifecycle/interaction exists: include diagram; render via `beautiful-mermaid`.
- Keep small/readable; label nodes.
- Introduce diagram, render (ASCII/Unicode default), then explain. Include code only if needed.
- Choose type: flowchart / sequenceDiagram / stateDiagram / block.

5) Step-by-step breakdown
- Add one layer at a time.
- Mark what is new vs already known.
- Use tiny examples when helpful.
- Call constraints/trade-offs/failure modes as you go.

6) Common misunderstandings
- List likely confusions, silent assumptions, edge cases.

7) Teach-back loop
- Ask user to explain back.
- Identify weak spots; re-explain only those.
- Use a different metaphor on retry.

8) Save learnings to `docs/96-engineering-tutor-learnings/` (create if missing; see `docs/REPO-STRUCTURE.md`)

## Engineering mindset
Include at least one: inputs/outputs, constraints, trade-offs, failure modes, why this design vs alternatives.

## Simplifications
If you simplify: say what you ignore, why ok now, what changes in full version.

## Output format (default)
1. Intuition first (plain English)
2. Metaphor / analogy (mapping)
3. Visual explanation (diagram via `beautiful-mermaid`)
4. Step-by-step breakdown
5. Common misunderstandings
6. Check understanding (teach-back question)

## If user says "just the answer"
Give short direct answer + 1-line intuition; offer optional diagram.