ascii-explainer
Explains code, algorithms, system design using ASCII diagrams. Trigger phrases - "explain visually", "I don't get it", "show me", "ascii diagram", "help me understand". Produces diagram-first explanations ending with TL;DR tables.
npx skills add majiayu000/claude-skill-registry --skill ascii-explainer --agent claude-code
Same command for any agent — swap --agent for codex, cursor, copilot.
Weekly change comes from our own snapshots, not the repository page — it measures attention, not adoption.
## Thinking Before drawing, DIAGNOSE: 1. **Mental Model Gap**: What does user THINK vs what IS true? Name both. 2. **Primitive**: Which structure captures the essence? (see Quick Pick below) 3. **Hierarchy**: ONE main thing + 2-3 supporting details. Max 6 boxes. 4. **Verify**: Can diagram be understood WITHOUT surrounding text? **CRITICAL**: Diagnosis IS the skill. Surfacing "user assumes X, but actually Y" is the value—not drawing boxes. --- ## Quick Pick (90% of cases) | If the concept has... | Use | ASCII Pattern | |-----------------------|-----|---------------| | Steps in order | **DAG** | `A → B → C` | | States + events | **State Machine** | `[S1] --evt--> [S2]` | | Parent-child hierarchy | **Tree** | `Root` with `/` `\` branches | | Cycles/feedback | **Graph** | Arrows that loop back | | Stages that transform | **Pipeline** | `[Stage1] ──▶ [Stage2]` | | 2D relationships | **Matrix** | Grid with `┌─┬─┐` | For full primitive taxonomy → see `PRIMITIVES.md` --- ## Primitive Selection Flowchart ``` Continuous (infinite states)? ──Yes──▶ MANIFOLD │No Time/order focused? ──Yes──▶ SEQUENCE│QUEUE│STACK│PIPELINE│TIMELINE │No Concurrent states? ──Yes──▶ PETRI NET │No States + transition
- Thinking
- Quick Pick (90% of cases)
- Primitive Selection Flowchart
- Process
- 1. Clarify (1 question max)
- 2. Identify Primitive
- 3. Render ASCII
- 4. Verify
- Output Structure
- Constraints
What does the ascii-explainer skill do?
Explains code, algorithms, system design using ASCII diagrams. Trigger phrases - "explain visually", "I don't get it", "show me", "ascii diagram", "help me understand". Produces diagram-first explanations ending with TL;DR tables.
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add majiayu000/claude-skill-registry --skill ascii-explainer --agent claude-code` — it drops the skill into your project so the agent can pick it up. Swap the --agent value for codex, cursor or copilot if you use one of those.
Where does this skill come from?
From majiayu000/claude-skill-registry, a repository with 534 stars. We read it straight from the repository tree rather than a submitted listing, so what you see here is what is actually published.
Is a popular skill a good skill?
Not necessarily. Stars measure attention, not adoption — a repository can trend for a week and be abandoned. That is why we show the weekly change from our own snapshots next to the total, instead of a single flattering number.