geist-learning-lab

Original🇺🇸 English
Translated

Build explorative, interactive learning experiences as Next.js apps using the Geist design system. Use when creating tutorials, explorable explanations, interactive lessons, code sandboxes, quizzes, or any educational UI. Covers the Learning Loop pedagogy, 23+ learning component patterns, progress tracking, spaced repetition, and Bret-Victor-style interactive exploration — all with Geist's dark-first minimal aesthetic.

1installs

NPX Install

npx skill4agent add vercel-labs/skill-geist-learning-labs geist-learning-lab

Geist Learning Lab

Build interactive learning experiences that teach by making the learner do something, get feedback, and iterate — using Geist's dark-first, minimal, precise UI language.

Design Philosophy

  • Learning loops, not pages — Every screen completes: prompt → attempt → feedback → refinement → checkpoint
  • Cognitive load management — Progressive disclosure, chunking, one concept + one action at a time
  • Error-friendly design — Mistakes are expected; the UI normalizes them and turns them into learning moments
  • Interactive representations — Sliders, toggles, diagrams, live code — not just text
  • Geist precision — Dark backgrounds, tight tracking, semantic color, 4px grid, Swiss typography

Critical Rules

  1. Every lesson must include at least one attempt+feedback loop — No passive-only pages
  2. Every interactive control must have a visible effect — Within ~100ms or show loading state
  3. Progress/review must exist even in a prototype — Track steps completed, checkpoints passed
  4. Active attempt before explanation — Ask a question or show a task, then explain
  5. Immediate, specific feedback — "Correct" isn't enough; explain why
  6. Multiple representations — Always at least 2 of: text, code, visual, interactive, real data
  7. Color is learning signal — Green=correct, Red=incorrect, Amber=hint/warning, Blue=info/definition
  8. Progressive disclosure by default — Depth behind "Why?", "Edge Cases", "Formal Definition"
  9. URL state for exploration — Shareable slider/toggle configurations via search params
  10. Misconception-first design — Bake in common traps: "Most people get this wrong because..."

The Learning Loop (Central Doctrine)

Every lesson repeats this cycle:
StepWhat HappensComponent
OrientWhat you'll learn in 5-10 minHeading + learning objective
AttemptLearner predicts/answers/edits firstQuickCheck, CodePlayground, ParameterDock
FeedbackImmediate + specific responseFeedback surface (green/red panel)
ExplainShort explanation anchored to their attemptCallout, WorkedExample
ExtendVariation, edge case, or transfer taskBeforeAfterSplit, ConceptExplorer
CheckpointQuick recall questionQuickCheck with ConfidenceRating
Reflect"What changed in your understanding?"Optional text input or self-rating

"Aha Moment" Design Patterns

PatternHow It WorksWhen to Use
Prediction Gap"What do you think happens if...?" then revealBefore introducing a concept
Contrast PairTwo near-identical cases with different outcomesClarifying subtle distinctions
Slider to FailureLet learner push a parameter until it breaksUnderstanding boundaries/limits
Time TravelScrub algorithm step-by-step, watch invariantsAlgorithms, state machines
Misconception TrapTempting wrong option, then explain why wrongCommon errors in a domain

Quick Color Reference (Learning Semantics)

SignalColor TokenHexUsage
Correctgreen-700
#46A758
Success feedback, completed steps
Incorrectred-700
#E5484D
Error feedback, failed checks
Hint/Cautionamber-700
#FFB224
Hints, warnings, "watch out"
Info/Definitionblue-700
#0070F3
Definitions, current step, links
Defaultgray-400
#737373
Everything else: borders, muted text
Progress donegreen-700 dot
#46A758
Completed step indicator
Progress currentblue-700 ring
#0070F3
Current step focus state
Progress pendinggray-400 dot
#737373
Upcoming steps

Component Library (23 Patterns)

Lesson Flow & Progress

<LessonShell />
<ProgressRail />
<StepFlow />
<CheckpointCard />
<ResumeBanner />

Explorable Explanations

<ParameterDock />
<LiveOutputPanel />
<ConceptExplorer />
<InteractiveDiagram />
<BeforeAfterSplit />
<TimelineExplorer />
<ConceptMap />

Code Learning

<CodePlayground />
<DiffEditor />
<TaskRunner />
<SnippetCopy />

Quizzes & Active Recall

<QuickCheck />
<ConfidenceRating />
<HintLadder />
<MistakeAnalyzer />

Reading Support

<GlossaryPopover />
<Callout />
<WorkedExample />

Typography in Learning Context

ElementWhat It MeansStyle
Big heading"What you're doing"
text-heading-{32|24}
semibold, negative tracking
Small label"Where you are"
text-label-{14|12}
gray-400
Mono"What the computer sees"
text-copy-14-mono
or
text-label-14-mono
BodyReading content
text-copy-14
or
text-copy-16
, max-w-2xl

Layout Patterns

ContextMax WidthStructure
Reading content
max-w-2xl
/
max-w-4xl
Single column, comfortable line length
Interactive lab
max-w-6xl
Two panels: explanation + playground
Full explorer
max-w-7xl
Three zones: nav + content + lab panel

App Router Structure

/                                    → Landing / course picker
/learn                               → Course catalog + resume
/learn/[courseSlug]                   → Course overview, modules, progress
/learn/[courseSlug]/[moduleSlug]      → Module overview
/learn/[courseSlug]/[moduleSlug]/[lessonSlug]  → Lesson shell

File Organization

content/courses/<courseSlug>/course.json       → Metadata, module order
content/courses/<courseSlug>/<module>/<lesson>.mdx  → Lesson content
components/learning/                           → Reusable learning components
lib/learning/progress.ts                       → Schema + storage adapters
lib/learning/grading.ts                        → Quiz validation, code tests
lib/learning/spaced.ts                         → Review scheduling

References

  • references/lesson-shell.md
    — LessonShell, ProgressRail, StepFlow, CheckpointCard, ResumeBanner TSX patterns
  • references/explorable-explanations.md
    — ParameterDock, LiveOutputPanel, ConceptExplorer, InteractiveDiagram, BeforeAfterSplit, TimelineExplorer, ConceptMap
  • references/code-learning.md
    — CodePlayground (read-only/guided/free), DiffEditor, TaskRunner, SnippetCopy
  • references/quiz-assessment.md
    — QuickCheck, ConfidenceRating, HintLadder, MistakeAnalyzer with feedback patterns
  • references/reading-support.md
    — GlossaryPopover, Callout variants, WorkedExample with stepwise reveal
  • references/pedagogical-framework.md
    — The Learning Loop doctrine, progressive disclosure rules, aha patterns, scaffolded complexity
  • references/architecture.md
    — Next.js App Router routing, MDX content system, state management, file organization
  • references/progress-state.md
    — Progress schema, localStorage adapter, spaced repetition, URL state for explorations
  • references/learning-animations.md
    — Step transitions, feedback reveals, diagram animations, reduced-motion compliance