Algo Sensei skill
A mentor skill for Claude Code that guides you to LeetCode solutions with hints instead of handing over code at once
- 300 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Minimal access
Why this level
- A helper script writes a file into the cache directory once
- If you are logged in to the GitHub CLI, the skill checks the star status through it and may reach your account
Install
- Works in
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add skills/algo-senseiDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewMinimal accessThe tool runs nothing and makes no network calls.
- A helper script writes a file into the cache directory once
- If you are logged in to the GitHub CLI, the skill checks the star status through it and may reach your account
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
Algo Sensei leads you to solutions of algorithm and data structure problems with questions and hints and by default hands over no finished code. The skill's main file works as a router: it looks at your message and switches on one of five modes. Tutor mode explains a concept with examples and walks through a problem step by step. Hint mode opens five levels, from a simple observation to a pseudocode skeleton. Review mode checks correctness, time and space complexity and edge cases of your solution. Interview mode plays the interviewer, gives hints along the way, assesses communication and at the end scores you on a rubric with an improvement plan. Pattern mapper mode teaches you to recognize the idea of a solution from clues in the statement.
Who it is for. For people preparing for algorithm interviews who want to reach LeetCode solutions on their own.
Good fit when
- You are stuck on a LeetCode problem and ask for a hint that does not reveal the whole solution
- You need to understand a topic from scratch, for example dynamic programming, and want a step-by-step explanation with examples
- You have a finished solution and want a review of correctness, complexity, edge cases and style
- You need interview rehearsal: an interviewer, hints, communication feedback and an improvement plan
- You cannot pick an approach to a problem and want to learn to recognize the pattern from the statement
Not a fit when
- You need a ready answer to a problem quickly: the skill guides with questions and opens hints gradually
- The task is not about algorithms and data structures, for example system design or domain questions
- You need a real examiner: the interview is played by a language model and its assessment is approximate
- You need a task bank with automatic test checking: the skill does not include one
Example request
I am stuck on LeetCode 3, Longest Substring Without Repeating Characters. Give me the first hint and do not reveal the solution.Limitations
The skill runs on the model's knowledge: it holds no task bank, runs no tests and does not check a solution on the LeetCode server, so answer correctness depends on the model. The project targets Claude Code, and in Claude.ai it works through the project knowledge. After confirmed learning the skill may offer once to star the repository. For that a helper script writes a flag to ~/.cache/algo-sensei/star-invitation.json. The skill stars the repository only after an explicit yes and if you are already logged in to the GitHub CLI.
How to disable. Delete the ~/.claude/skills/algo-sensei folder or the copy in the project .claude/skills/ and restart Claude Code. You can remove the ~/.cache/algo-sensei directory along with it.
FAQ
How do I install Algo Sensei in Claude Code?
Clone the repository and run `cp -r algo-sensei ~/.claude/skills/`, then restart Claude Code. For teamwork copy the folder into the project .claude/skills/ and commit it.
How does hint mode work?
There are five levels, from the gentlest: an observation, a pattern nudge, a direction of approach, a specific technique and a pseudocode skeleton. Each next one opens only if you stay stuck.
Can I use the skill in Claude.ai?
Yes. Create a project and upload SKILL.md, the five files from the modes folder, the docs/dsa-cheatsheet.md cheat sheet and the solution template. With SKILL.md alone you keep routing without the detailed modes.
Which patterns does the pattern map cover?
Two pointers, sliding window, dynamic programming, graphs, heaps, tries and monotonic stack. For each one the skill shows the clues in a statement that give it away.
Why does the skill offer to star the repository?
That is how the author asks for support. The decision is yours, and after you answer the invitation does not come back.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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README in short
The author compares the skill with LeetCode Premium, ordinary prompts and video tutorials. The repository includes a demo recording, a data structures cheat sheet and a solution layout template.
README badge
Original SKILL.md
--- name: algo-sensei description: Your personal DSA & LeetCode mentor. Use for problem explanations, progressive hints, code reviews, mock interviews, pattern recognition, complexity analysis, and custom problem generation. Automatically adapts to your learning style and request type. --- # Algo Sensei 🥋 You are Algo Sensei, a master DSA (Data Structures & Algorithms) mentor specialized in helping developers master LeetCode problems and ace technical interviews. Your teaching philosophy emphasizes understanding over memorization, pattern recognition, and building intuition. ## Core Principles 1. **Socratic Method**: Guide through questions rather than giving direct answers 2. **Progressive Disclosure**: Start with hints, only reveal more if stuck 3. **Pattern Recognition**: Help identify which algorithmic pattern applies 4. **Deep Understanding**: Always explain the "why" behind solutions 5. **Interview Readiness**: Simulate real interview conditions and feedback ## Intelligence Routing Analyze the user's request and automatically engage the appropriate mode: ### Mode Detection Rules **TUTOR MODE** - Trigger when user: - Asks to "explain" a concept/problem - Says "I don't understand" - Requests "teach me" or "help me learn" - Asks "what is" or "how does X work" - Is clearly a beginner needing foundational help **HINT MODE** - Trigger when user: - Says "give me a hint" or "I'm stuck" - Provides a problem and asks for "guidance" - Says "don't tell me the answer" - Requests "progressive hints" - Wants to "figure it out myself" **REVIEW MODE** - Trigger when user: - Shares code and asks for "review" or "feedback" - Says "is this optimal?" or "can I improve this?" - Requests complexity analysis - Asks "what's wrong with my solution?" - Wants code optimization suggestions **INTERVIEW MODE** - Trigger when user: