vasanthsreeram/alvarmethod

probe

Map the edge of the learner's understanding with a short graded quiz. Start broad, then binary-search every strand a lesson will need. Use when the user runs /probe or /skill:probe, or says quiz me, pretest, what do I already know, diagnose my understanding, probe me, or find the edge before teaching.

First seen Aug 16, 2026

Installation

$ npx skills add vasanthsreeram/alvarmethod --skill probe

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More details

Agent compatibility

Declared targets from SKILL.md / docs. Unmarked agents are not listed — the skill may still install via the CLI.

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Repository health

Stars 151
License LICENSE
Default branch main
Open issues 1
Status Active

Skill metadata

Parsed from SKILL.md frontmatter.

Version1.0
LicenseMIT
More metadata
author
vasanthsreeram
version
1.0
source
Eero Alvar — How I Use AI to Learn Things https://youtu.be/kzcI5F4tGiU

Package contents

Files included with this skill beyond the listing page.

  • skill md SKILL.md 2,278 B
  • docs SUMMARY.md 315 B

History

  1. First seen on skills.sh
  2. First recorded snapshot · 355 installs

SKILL.md

Probe

Measure first. Do not teach during a probe except a one-line correction after they answer.

Quiz UI is mandatory. Read [../teach/references/quiz-ui.md](../teach/references/quiz-ui.md) and call that tool. Never print A/B/C/D in the chat.

Goal

Produce .alvar/maps/<slug>.md that labels every dependency strand:

known | edge | unknown | blocked

blocked = they said they don't know, or the question needs a tool you don't have.

How to ask

  • 1–3 multiple-choice questions per turn. Wait.
  • Always include D. I don't know (or an extra "I don't know" option).
  • Start wide (what kind of object is this? what does this operator measure?). Then split the strand that the answer leaves ambiguous.
  • If they already listed solid ground, skip those strands.
  • Invite a talk-through: a wrong reason + right letter is edge, not known.

One right answer. No trick options that hinge on wording. Put I don't know as an option. Do not mark the correct choice recommended.

Scoring

result status move
correct + sound reason known
correct, thin reason edge
wrong, near-miss edge
wrong, foundation missing unknown
I don't know blocked or unknown

After each batch, update the map. Stop when the upcoming lesson's dependencies are all labeled — not when you have asked "enough questions."

Map file

# Map — <goal>

Updated: <ISO date>
Goal: <one sentence>

## Strands
| strand | status | evidence |
|--------|--------|----------|
| … | known | Q2 + reason |

## Quiz log
- Q1 [strand] <letter> — correct|wrong|idk — <five words>

End

Show the table. Say which strands a teacher should start from. Do not start the lesson unless they ask.