Explain

Community

poshan0126

explain

Explain code. Default is a one-sentence summary plus a mental model. Add `verbose` to also get an ASCII diagram, key details, and a modification guide.

Overview

Publisher	poshan0126
Repository	`dotclaude`
Skill name	`explain`
Stars	870
Forks	204
Bundled files	Instructions only
License	MIT
Links	Skill source Repository

Markdown instructions
A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.
Works with any LLM
AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.
Self-contained
Everything the model needs lives in the instructions — no extra files to sync.
Open source
Published by poshan0126 on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Explain AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
Choose "Install from GitHub".
Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
https://github.com/poshan0126/dotclaude/tree/main/skills/explain
Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.

Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/poshan0126/dotclaude.git /tmp/dotclaude
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/dotclaude/skills/explain .claude/skills/explain

Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Explain in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Explain on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Explain is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

Loaded only when it is needed
The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.
Switch models mid-chat
Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Explain $ARGUMENTS clearly.

Mode

If $ARGUMENTS includes the word verbose (for example, /explain my-function verbose), produce all five sections below. Strip the word verbose from the target name when interpreting what to explain.

Otherwise (the default), produce only sections 1 and 2 and stop. Day-to-day that's usually all you need.

Sections

1. One-sentence summary

What does it do, and why does it exist? One sentence.

2. Mental model

An analogy or metaphor that captures the core idea. Relate it to something the developer already knows. One short paragraph.

3. Visual diagram (verbose only)

Draw an ASCII diagram showing the data and control flow. Keep it readable:


Input -> [Step A] -> [Step B] -> Output
              |
              v
        [Side Effect]

4. Key details (verbose only)

Walk through the important parts. Skip the obvious. Focus on:

Non-obvious decisions (why this approach?)
Edge cases and gotchas
Dependencies and side effects

5. How to modify it (verbose only)

What would someone need to know to safely change this code? Where are the landmines?

Frequently asked questions

What does the Explain AI skill do?

Explain code. Default is a one-sentence summary plus a mental model. Add `verbose` to also get an ASCII diagram, key details, and a modification guide.

Why use Explain on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Explain is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Explain in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/poshan0126/dotclaude/tree/main/skills/explain. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Explain?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Explain?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Explain with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Explain AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by poshan0126 under the MIT license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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Overview

Installation

Install in TypingMind

Install in another agent

Use it in TypingMind

Works with any AI model

Skill instructions

Mode

Sections

1. One-sentence summary

2. Mental model

3. Visual diagram (verbose only)

4. Key details (verbose only)

5. How to modify it (verbose only)

Frequently asked questions

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