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gentleman-trainer

Vim Trainer RPG system patterns for Gentleman.Dots. Trigger: When editing files in installer/internal/tui/trainer/, adding exercises, modules, or game mechanics.

Packaged view

This page reorganizes the original catalog entry around fit, installability, and workflow context first. The original raw source lives below.

Stars
1,535
Hot score
99
Updated
March 20, 2026
Overall rating
C4.5
Composite score
4.5
Best-practice grade
B77.6

Install command

npx @skill-hub/cli install gentleman-programming-gentleman-dots-gentleman-trainer

Repository

Gentleman-Programming/Gentleman.Dots

Skill path: skills/gentleman-trainer

Vim Trainer RPG system patterns for Gentleman.Dots. Trigger: When editing files in installer/internal/tui/trainer/, adding exercises, modules, or game mechanics.

Open repository

Best for

Primary workflow: Ship Full Stack.

Technical facets: Full Stack.

Target audience: everyone.

License: Apache-2.0.

Original source

Catalog source: SkillHub Club.

Repository owner: Gentleman-Programming.

This is still a mirrored public skill entry. Review the repository before installing into production workflows.

What it helps with

  • Install gentleman-trainer into Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, or OpenCode workflows
  • Review https://github.com/Gentleman-Programming/Gentleman.Dots before adding gentleman-trainer to shared team environments
  • Use gentleman-trainer for development workflows

Works across

Claude CodeCodex CLIGemini CLIOpenCode

Favorites: 0.

Sub-skills: 0.

Aggregator: No.

Original source / Raw SKILL.md

---
name: gentleman-trainer
description: >
  Vim Trainer RPG system patterns for Gentleman.Dots.
  Trigger: When editing files in installer/internal/tui/trainer/, adding exercises, modules, or game mechanics.
license: Apache-2.0
metadata:
  author: gentleman-programming
  version: "1.0"
---

## When to Use

Use this skill when:
- Adding new Vim training modules
- Creating exercises or boss fights
- Modifying progression/unlock system
- Working on the Vim command simulator
- Adding practice mode features

---

## Critical Patterns

### Pattern 1: ModuleID Constants

All modules MUST be defined as `ModuleID` constants in `types.go`:

```go
type ModuleID string

const (
    ModuleHorizontal   ModuleID = "horizontal"
    ModuleVertical     ModuleID = "vertical"
    ModuleTextObjects  ModuleID = "textobjects"
    ModuleChangeRepeat ModuleID = "cgn"
    ModuleSubstitution ModuleID = "substitution"
    ModuleRegex        ModuleID = "regex"
    ModuleMacros       ModuleID = "macros"
    // Add new modules here
)
```

### Pattern 2: Exercise Structure

Every exercise follows this structure:

```go
type Exercise struct {
    ID           string       // "horizontal_001"
    Module       ModuleID     // Parent module
    Level        int          // 1-10 difficulty
    Type         ExerciseType // lesson, practice, boss
    Code         []string     // Lines of code shown
    CursorPos    Position     // Initial cursor
    CursorTarget *Position    // Target position (movement exercises)
    Mission      string       // What user must do
    Solutions    []string     // ALL valid solutions
    Optimal      string       // Best/shortest solution
    Hint         string       // Help text
    Explanation  string       // Post-answer teaching
    TimeoutSecs  int          // Before showing solution
    Points       int          // Base score
}
```

### Pattern 3: Module Unlock Order

Modules unlock sequentially - user must defeat boss to unlock next:

```go
var moduleUnlockOrder = []ModuleID{
    ModuleHorizontal,   // Always unlocked
    ModuleVertical,     // After horizontal boss
    ModuleTextObjects,  // After vertical boss
    ModuleChangeRepeat, // After textobjects boss
    // ... etc
}
```

### Pattern 4: Progression Flow

```
Lessons (sequential) → Practice (80% accuracy) → Boss Fight → Next Module
```

---

## Decision Tree

```
Adding new module?
├── Add ModuleID constant in types.go
├── Add to moduleUnlockOrder slice
├── Add ModuleInfo in GetAllModules()
├── Create exercises_{module}.go file
├── Implement GetLessons(moduleID)
├── Implement GetBoss(moduleID)
└── Add practice exercises

Adding exercises?
├── Create Exercise with unique ID format: "{module}_{number}"
├── Provide multiple Solutions (all valid answers)
├── Set Optimal to shortest/best solution
├── Include Hint for learning
└── Add Explanation for post-answer

Adding boss fight?
├── Create BossExercise in exercises_{module}.go
├── Add 5-7 BossSteps (exercise chain)
├── Set Lives (usually 3)
├── Include variety of module skills
└── Return from GetBoss(moduleID)
```

---

## Code Examples

### Example 1: Creating a Module's Exercises File

```go
// exercises_newmodule.go
package trainer

// NewModule lessons
func getNewModuleLessons() []Exercise {
    return []Exercise{
        {
            ID:        "newmodule_001",
            Module:    ModuleNewModule,
            Level:     1,
            Type:      ExerciseLesson,
            Code:      []string{"function example() {", "  return true;", "}"},
            CursorPos: Position{Line: 0, Col: 0},
            Mission:   "Use 'xx' to delete two characters",
            Solutions: []string{"xx", "2x", "dl dl"},
            Optimal:   "xx",
            Hint:      "x deletes character under cursor",
            Explanation: "x is Vim's character delete. 2x or xx deletes two.",
            Points:    10,
        },
        // ... more exercises
    }
}
```

### Example 2: Registering Module in GetAllModules

```go
func GetAllModules() []ModuleInfo {
    return []ModuleInfo{
        // ... existing modules
        {
            ID:          ModuleNewModule,
            Name:        "New Module",
            Icon:        "🆕",
            Description: "Commands: xx, yy, zz",
            BossName:    "The New Boss",
        },
    }
}
```

### Example 3: Boss Fight Structure

```go
func getNewModuleBoss() *BossExercise {
    return &BossExercise{
        ID:     "newmodule_boss",
        Module: ModuleNewModule,
        Name:   "The New Boss",
        Lives:  3,
        Steps: []BossStep{
            {
                Exercise: Exercise{
                    ID:        "newmodule_boss_1",
                    Module:    ModuleNewModule,
                    Code:      []string{"challenge code here"},
                    CursorPos: Position{Line: 0, Col: 0},
                    Mission:   "First boss challenge",
                    Solutions: []string{"w", "W"},
                    Optimal:   "w",
                },
                TimeLimit: 10,
            },
            // ... more steps (5-7 total)
        },
    }
}
```

### Example 4: Exercise Validation

```go
// Validation checks if answer is in Solutions
func ValidateAnswer(exercise *Exercise, answer string) bool {
    answer = strings.TrimSpace(answer)
    for _, solution := range exercise.Solutions {
        if answer == solution {
            return true
        }
    }
    // Also check via simulator for creative solutions
    return validateViaSimulator(exercise, answer)
}
```

---

## Exercise Guidelines

### Good Exercise Design

1. **Clear Mission**: User knows exactly what to do
2. **Multiple Solutions**: Accept all valid Vim ways
3. **Optimal Marked**: Teach the best approach
4. **Progressive Difficulty**: Level 1-10 within module
5. **Real Code**: Use realistic code snippets

### Solutions Array Rules

```go
// GOOD: Accept all valid variations
Solutions: []string{"w", "W", "e", "E", "f "},

// BAD: Only accept one way
Solutions: []string{"w"},
```

### Exercise ID Format

```
{module}_{number}      → "horizontal_001"
{module}_boss_{step}   → "horizontal_boss_1"
```

---

## Commands

```bash
cd installer && go test ./internal/tui/trainer/...     # Run all trainer tests
cd installer && go test -run TestExercise              # Test exercises
cd installer && go test -run TestSimulator             # Test Vim simulator
cd installer && go test -run TestProgression           # Test unlock system
```

---

## Resources

- **Types**: See `installer/internal/tui/trainer/types.go` for data structures
- **Exercises**: See `installer/internal/tui/trainer/exercises_*.go` for patterns
- **Simulator**: See `installer/internal/tui/trainer/simulator.go` for Vim emulation
- **Validation**: See `installer/internal/tui/trainer/validation.go` for answer checking
- **Stats**: See `installer/internal/tui/trainer/stats.go` for persistence