LearnCode

Interactive programming lessons in your terminal.

Write real code, get instant feedback, track your progress — all without leaving the command line. Supports JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Rust, and C++ out of the box, with a JSON-based import system for any language.

Installation

npm install -g @learncode-cli/learncode
learncode

Requires Node.js 18 or later. Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Commands

learncode                    Launch the interactive TUI
learncode import <url>       Import a lesson pack from a URL
learncode update             Update all imported lesson packs
learncode manage             List and remove imported packs
learncode build              Write built-in sample lessons to disk
learncode --resume           Resume your last session
learncode --debug            Keep terminal output visible after exit

Controls

Arrow keys                   Navigate
Enter / Space                Select or interact
Esc                          Go back
Tab                          Cycle focus between panels
? or Ctrl+D                  Open help overlay
Ctrl+C                       Exit
d                            Open dashboard (from Home)
m                            Manage imported packs (from Home or Dashboard)
R                            Redo a completed lesson
Ctrl+E                       Execute code (in challenges)
Ctrl+R                       Reset to starter code (in challenges)

Lesson types

| Type | Description | |---|---| | Theory | Markdown content with scroll support | | Quiz | Multiple-choice questions with explanation on answer | | Challenge | Write and run real code against expected output | | Drag | Ordering, matching pairs, and fill-in-the-blank exercises | | Video | External link (YouTube) with duration and watch tracking |

Storage

Everything lives in ~/.learncode/:

~/.learncode/
  lessons/              Lesson JSON files, one folder per language
    javascript/
    typescript/
    python/
    rust/
    cpp/
  languages/            Language registration files
  progress.json         Progress, step history, and code drafts
  imported-packs.json   Imported pack metadata and checksums

Progress is saved automatically after every step. Code you submit on challenges is archived permanently — revisiting a completed challenge loads your last submission, not the blank starter.

Adding custom languages

Host a JSON manifest at any public URL and run learncode import <url>.

Manifest format:

{
  "id": "java",
  "name": "Java",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "author": "Your Name",
  "description": "Java fundamentals from Hello World to generics.",
  "language": {
    "id": "java",
    "name": "Java",
    "abbreviation": "JV",
    "runner": {
      "extension": ".java",
      "filename": "Main.java",
      "compile": { "command": "javac", "args": ["{{file}}"] },
      "run":     { "command": "java",  "args": ["-cp", "{{dir}}", "Main"] }
    }
  },
  "lessons": [
    { "title": "Hello, Java!", "path": "lessons/01-hello.json" },
    { "title": "Variables",    "path": "lessons/02-variables.json" }
  ]
}

path values are resolved relative to the manifest URL. The pack will appear alongside built-in languages on the next launch. See docs/lesson-format.md for the full lesson JSON specification.

Security

• Code runs in subprocess isolation with configurable timeouts
• No data leaves your machine; network access is limited to import and update
• Imported pack integrity is verified via SHA-256 checksums on every startup
• No telemetry, no analytics

Development

git clone https://github.com/SauloHS/LearnCode
cd LearnCode
npm install
npm run dev      # Watch mode
npm run build    # Production build
npm test         # Test suite

Contributions welcome. Bug reports and pull requests at github.com/SauloHS/LearnCode.

MIT License