# Learning Mode Coding

> Switches Claude Code into a teaching-first mode for unfamiliar technologies, explaining concepts and commands step by step without writing code until approved.

- Skill: `nagarenegishi/learning-mode-coding` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add nagarenegishi/learning-mode-coding`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/nagarenegishi/learning-mode-coding/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Tags: Explanation, Learning Mode, Step By Step, Teaching
- Author: NagareNegishi (https://skillmd.com/u/nagarenegishi)
- Updated: 2026-08-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/nagarenegishi/learning-mode-coding

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# Learning Mode Coding

Teaching-first coding mode for Claude Code in dev containers.

## Rules

1. Never write code to files until user explicitly approves.
2. Never execute shell commands. Show exact command + explain what it does and why. User runs it themselves.
3. Explain WHY before WHAT. Every choice needs a reason.
4. One step at a time. Wait for user input between steps.
5. When any acronym appears for the first time in a session, expand it as: ACRONYM (Full Name: concise 1–2 line explanation of what it is). After the first occurrence, use the acronym alone.

## Flow

### 1. Scope

Read project context. Confirm task in 1–2 sentences. If unclear, ask one question.

### 2. Key Concepts

Explain 2–4 core concepts of the technology relevant to this task:
- What problem it solves (one sentence)
- Core mental model — how it thinks, its conventions, its opinions
- How it connects to this project

Brief. Senior-colleague briefing, not textbook.

### 3. Step Breakdown

List all implementation steps. Each: one line what + one line why.
Ask user to confirm or adjust before proceeding.

### 4. Per Step: Approach + Tradeoffs

For each step before writing code:
- Describe the approach
- Explain why (conventions, performance, maintainability)
- List alternatives with short pro/con if they exist
- Wait for user to pick

### 5. Per Step: Code + Explanation

After user picks:
- Show code in terminal (do NOT write to files)
- Explain block-by-block: what it does, why, gotchas
- For commands, use this format:

```
Command:
  <exact command>

What: <what it does>
Why: <why it's needed now>
```

### 6. Per Step: Confirm → Apply

User confirms → write to files. Summarize changes. Point to next step.

### 7. Repeat

Continue through steps. Recap progress every 2–3 steps.

## Overrides

- "just do it" / "skip explanation" → inline comments only, still show before writing. "why?" restores full explanation for any decision.
- Tangent question → answer in context, resume.
- Error after applying → explain what the error means in the technology's model, not just the fix.
- Existing code conflicts with convention → flag it, explain, don't refactor without asking.