Learn Python the right way — with an AI tutor that never gives you the answer.
A Claude Code skill that turns your terminal into a personalized Python classroom. Write real code in real files, get Socratic feedback, and build projects — all with persistent memory that adapts to how you learn.
No copy-paste. No hand-holding. Real skills.
Most AI coding tools write code for you. That's great for productivity — terrible for learning.
This skill flips the model: you write the code, and Claude acts as a patient teacher who reads your work, runs tests, and guides you with questions — never answers. It remembers what you struggle with, tracks every attempt, and adapts the curriculum to your pace.
Built for absolute beginners. No prior coding experience needed.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ You write Python Claude teaches │
│ in real .py files → reads your code │
│ in VS Code/Cursor → runs tests silently │
│ → gives Socratic hints │
│ → tracks your progress │
│ → NEVER writes your code │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
/learn start— onboarding: profile, environment check, first exercise- You write code in VS Code/Cursor — real
.pyfiles, not a chat window /learn check— Claude runs your code + tests, gives feedback without spoiling the answer/learn hint— graduated hints (vague → specific), only when you're stuck/learn next— advance when you're ready. Curriculum adapts to you.
# Clone the repo git clone https://github.com/egouilliard-leyton/python-tutor-skill.git cd python-tutor-skill # Install (creates symlink — updates are instant) bash install.sh # Open Claude Code and start learning /learn start
Requirements: Python 3.10+, Claude Code, VS Code or Cursor
|
Never gives the answer. Uses graduated hints (4 levels), prediction questions, and "what do you think went wrong?" to build real understanding. Every Remembers your name, pace, strengths, weaknesses, and error patterns across sessions. Never asks the same setup question twice. |
Concepts decay over time. The skill auto-reviews topics you haven't practiced, using proven memory science to prevent forgetting. Comfort scores (0-100) per concept. Aced it? Skip ahead. Struggling? Extra practice, different analogies, sub-problems. XP, levels (Novice → Expert), achievements, streaks. Motivation without distraction. |
8 modules, 40 lessons, from print("Hello") to building real projects.
| Module | Topic | Lessons | Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Steps — print, variables, strings, numbers, input | 5 | Mad Libs Generator |
| 2 | Decisions — booleans, if/else, elif, logic, nesting | 5 | Text Adventure Game |
| 3 | Loops — while, for, break/continue, nested, patterns | 5 | Number Guessing Game |
| 4 | Collections — lists, methods, looping, dicts, nesting | 5 | Contact Book |
| 5 | Functions — def, params, defaults, scope, composition | 5 | Calculator |
| 6 | Files & Errors — read/write, try/except, CSV/JSON | 5 | Expense Tracker |
| 7 | Leveling Up — comprehensions, modules, pip, APIs | 5 | Weather App |
| 8 | Objects — classes, methods, attributes, inheritance | 5 | Final Project |
Modules 1-5 are fully built with pre-tested exercises. Modules 6-8 have curriculum specs ready for generation.
Extra practice when you need it:
| Exercise | Concepts |
|---|---|
strings_reverse |
String reversal, palindrome detection |
loops_pyramid |
Nested loops, string centering |
lists_stats |
Median, mode, range calculations |
dict_word_count |
Word frequency, finding the most common |
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
/learn |
Smart session start — resumes where you left off |
/learn start |
First-time setup (profile, environment, first exercise) |
/learn check |
Run your code + tests, get Socratic feedback |
/learn run |
Just run your code and see the output |
/learn hint |
Get the next hint (gets more specific each time) |
/learn next |
Move to the next exercise |
/learn back |
Go back to the previous exercise |
/learn progress |
Full dashboard — level, streak, curriculum map |
/learn review |
Spaced repetition quiz on past topics |
/learn project |
Start or continue your current project |
/learn try |
Run a quick code snippet inline |
/learn explain |
On-demand explanation of any concept |
/learn vocab |
All programming terms you've learned |
/learn stats |
Deep analytics on your learning journey |
/learn streak |
Your coding streak and stats |
/learn update |
Sync latest exercises and tests from the repo |
/learn help |
Show all commands |
Every exercise is a real .py file with clear instructions:
# ============================================ # Lesson 7: If/Else — Can You Vote? # ============================================ # # GOAL: Check if someone is old enough to vote. # # RULES: # Write a function can_vote(age) that: # - Returns "You can vote!" if age is 18 or older # - Returns "Not yet! X more years to go." if under 18 # # EXAMPLES: # can_vote(20) → "You can vote!" # can_vote(15) → "Not yet! 3 more years to go." # ============================================ def can_vote(age): # YOUR CODE HERE pass
Tests check behavior, not code style — any valid approach passes:
# All of these pass the tests: if age >= 18: # Style A: standard if 18 <= age: # Style B: reversed return "..." if age >= 18 else "..." # Style C: ternary
Every /learn check records the full story:
Lesson: 07_if_else
Started: 2026-06-05 14:30
Completed: 2026-06-05 14:52 (3 attempts)
✗ Attempt 1: SyntaxError — missing colon after if (0/7 tests)
✗ Attempt 2: test_failure — used > instead of >= (5/7 tests)
✓ Attempt 3: pass — all 7 tests passing
/learn stats analyzes this data to show improvement trends, common error patterns, and which topics need review.
python-tutor-skill/
├── install.sh # One-line installer
├── docs/ # Research, specs, architecture
│ ├── 01-research-context.md
│ ├── 02-feature-spec.md
│ ├── 03-architecture.md
│ ├── 04-curriculum.md
│ ├── 05-pedagogy.md
│ ├── 06-data-model.md
│ └── 07-exercise-sources.md
└── skill/
├── python-tutor.md # Skill prompt (symlinked to ~/.claude/skills/)
├── curriculum/ # Curriculum graph + module specs
├── exercises/ # 25 lessons + 5 projects + bonus
│ ├── 01_hello_world/
│ │ ├── exercise.py # What the student sees
│ │ ├── test_exercise.py # Behavior-based tests
│ │ ├── solutions.py # Multiple valid approaches (never shown)
│ │ └── teaching_guide.md # Socratic script for Claude
│ ├── .../
│ └── bonus/ # Extra practice exercises
├── lib/ # Test runner, error translator
└── templates/ # Exercise file templates
| Principle | How |
|---|---|
| Never give the answer | 4-level graduated hints. Full explanation only after 3+ failures. |
| Real developer workflow | Real .py files in VS Code/Cursor. Not a chat window. |
| One concept at a time | Each lesson teaches exactly ONE thing. |
| Errors are teachers | Translates tracebacks to plain language, then asks "what do you think?" |
| Tests check behavior, not style | if age >= 18 and if 18 <= age both pass. |
| Memory across sessions | Progress, struggles, streaks — all persisted in JSON. |
| Never ask twice | Environment, preferences, setup — checked once, stored forever. |
Built with inspiration and test patterns from these MIT-licensed repos:
- exercism/python — 146 exercises with pytest (primary source)
- jerry-git/learn-python3 — Jupyter notebooks + pytest
- trekhleb/learn-python — Assertion-based scripts
- gregmalcolm/python_koans — TDD-based learning
See docs/07-exercise-sources.md for full research (15+ repos analyzed).
# Work on a feature branch git checkout -b feature/new-exercise # Add exercises, run tests python3 -m pytest skill/exercises/*/test_exercise.py -v # Push and create PR (main requires approval) git push -u origin feature/new-exercise gh pr create
MIT — use it, fork it, teach with it.
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