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.
How do I install this agent skill?
npx skills add https://github.com/vasanthsreeram/alvarmethod --skill probeIs this agent skill safe to install?
- Gen Agent Trust Hubpass
The skill is safe. It implements a diagnostic quiz to map a user's knowledge and records the results in a local directory.
- Socketpass
No alerts
- Snykpass
Risk: LOW · No issues
What does this agent skill do?
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 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, notknown.
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.
How can the creator link this skill?
Add the canonical catalog link to the repository README so users can inspect current installs and available audits. The publishing guide covers the complete discovery path.
<a href="https://skillzs.dev/skills/vasanthsreeram/alvarmethod/probe">View probe on skillZs</a>