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Understanding Code
For learning what code does and how things work.
Explaining Code
Explain a file
Explain what [filename] does in simple terms.Explain a section
Explain this part:
[paste code section]High-level overview
Give me a high-level overview of how [feature] works.
Don't go into detail — just the big picture.Data flow
Walk me through how data flows when the user [action].
Where does it start, where does it go, where does it end up?Understanding Decisions
Why this approach
Why did you structure [thing] this way?
What's the reasoning?Alternatives
What are other ways we could have built [feature]?
Why is this approach better/worse?Trade-offs
What are the trade-offs of the approach we're using for [feature]?Learning Concepts
What is this
What is [term/concept]? Explain it simply.How does X work
How does [concept/technology] work, in general terms?
I don't need to master it, just understand the basics.Why do we need
Why do we need [thing]? What problem does it solve?Connecting to Knowledge
Like what I know
Is [concept] similar to anything in design?
How can I think about it using what I already know?Analogy
Give me a non-technical analogy for how [concept] works.Exploring Options
How would I
If I wanted to [goal], how would I approach that?What’s possible
What are the options for [capability]?
I'm not sure what's possible.Best practice
What's the standard/recommended way to handle [situation]?Verifying Understanding
Did I get this right
Let me check my understanding: [your explanation of how something works].
Is that right?What am I missing
I think I understand [concept], but what am I probably missing or oversimplifying?