# New Learning

> Use when the user wants to find what to learn next, explore learning topics, get project ideas for a skill gap, or add a learning idea to their backlog. Triggers on: "what should I learn", "suggest learning projects", "I want to learn X", "add to my learning backlog", or "find me resources on X".

- Skill: `weorbitant/new-learning` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add weorbitant/new-learning`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/weorbitant/new-learning/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Product & Planning
- License: MIT
- Author: weorbitant (https://skillmd.com/u/weorbitant)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/weorbitant/new-learning

---


## Overview

Generate learning ideas based on the learner's profile and add selected ones to
`~/.claude/learning/backlog.md`. Ideas can be hands-on projects (structured by
milestones) or reading/article recommendations.

## When to Use

- User wants to discover what to learn next
- User has a specific topic in mind and wants it structured
- Backlog is empty and user wants to start learning
- After completing a lesson, to find the next one

## Prerequisites

Profile must exist at `~/.claude/learning/profile.md`. If not, tell the user:
"No learning profile found. Run `/init-learning` first to set up your profile."

## Process

1. **Read context:**
   - `~/.claude/learning/profile.md` — gaps, goals, session_length
   - `~/.claude/learning/lessons/archive/` — scan "Still Fuzzy On" sections and abandoned lesson topics
   - `~/.claude/learning/backlog.md` — avoid duplicating existing items
   - `~/.claude/learning/insights.md` — if it exists, read recurring struggles and confirmed strengths to inform suggestions

2. **Determine source of ideas:**
   - If the user passed an argument (e.g., `/new-learning "WebSockets"`): focus on that topic
   - If no argument: use gaps from profile + "still fuzzy" themes from archives + recurring struggles from insights

3. **Search for current resources:**
   - Use web search to find up-to-date articles, tutorials, docs, and project ideas
   - Prioritize recent, well-regarded resources

4. **Propose 3-5 ideas** using this format for each:

   ```
   ### 1. [Title]
   **Gap:** [which gap from profile]  |  **Effort:** [N] sessions  |  **Style:** hands-on / reading

   [1-2 sentence description of what you'll build or learn]

   **Milestones** (if hands-on):
   1. [First milestone — simplest, get something working]
   2. [Build on it]
   3. [Polish or advanced feature]
   ```

   Example:
   ```
   ### 1. Build a REST API with Express + PostgreSQL
   **Gap:** backend  |  **Effort:** 3 sessions  |  **Style:** hands-on

   Build a task management API from scratch — routes, validation, database, and tests.

   **Milestones:**
   1. Scaffold Express app, define routes, return mock data
   2. Connect PostgreSQL, implement CRUD operations
   3. Add input validation, error handling, and integration tests
   ```

5. **User picks** — present as a numbered list. Ask: "Which ones should I add to your backlog? (e.g., 1, 3)"

6. **Write to backlog.md:**
   - Create the file if it doesn't exist (with `## Backlog` header)
   - Append selected items as checkbox lines
   - Format: `- [ ] <title> — **gap:** <gap> — **effort:** <N sessions> — **style:** <hands-on | reading>`

## Important

- Do NOT re-suggest topics from abandoned lessons (check archive for `status: abandoned`)
- Calibrate milestone size to the user's `session_length` from profile
- Mix hands-on and reading suggestions — don't propose only one type
- If the user provides a specific topic, still search the web for the best current resources
- Postponed lessons are NOT re-suggested here — they show up in `/learn` as resumable
- If insights.md exists, use it to inform suggestions: prioritize topics related to recurring struggles, avoid suggesting basics on confirmed-strength topics
- If insights.md does not exist, skip it silently — do not error or prompt the user